Uganda is one of the top destinations to visit for budget travelers. This small East African country offers travelers with a lifetime opportunity to see the mountain gorillas in their natural habitat.
Uganda is a landlocked country but shares Lake Victoria with Kenya and Tanzania, the second largest lake in the world, as a big a Sea containing the jewels of the Lake – the hidden Ssese Islands with its sandy beaches, luscious gardens, fresh fish and reasonably priced lodgings. Speaking of Lakes – Uganda is home of some of the most scenic Lakes in Africa, Lake Bunyonyi, the magical, mystical Lake that reminds one as a scene from Lord of the Rings, and Lake Mutanda ringed by the majestic Virunga Volcanoes.
Uganda is an elegant adventure from the moment you land at Entebbe’s modern and efficient international airport, with its breathtaking equatorial location on the forest shore of island-strewn Lake Victoria, it is clear that Uganda is no ordinary safari destination. Dominated by an expansive golf course leading down to the lake shore, and a century –old botanical garden alive with the chatter of acrobatic monkeys and colorful tropical birds, Entebbe itself is the obviously urban of all comparably sized African towns. Then, just 40km distant, sprawled across seven hills there is the Kampala. The bright modern feel of this bustling, cosmopolitan city reflects the ongoing economic growth and political stability that has characterized Uganda since 1986, and is complemented by the sloping spaciousness and runaway greenery of its green setting.
Uganda is a safe and secure country, there is no war, or rumors of war, Uganda is a stable and secure country in Africa and visitors to Uganda have come to appreciate that and in 2012 as an added level of security the Tourism Police was added to ensure the well being of visitors taking Uganda Safaris.
In 2012 Lonely Planet declared Uganda as best country to Visit – many more flocked to the Pearl of Africa since that, the New York Times suggested Uganda as a country to visit and Uganda led all of Africa in increased tourism.
Location
Uganda lies between latitudes 4° 12′ N and 1° 29′ S, and longitudes 29° 34′ E and 35° E. It covers a total area of 241,039 square km and stands in the heart of Africa across the Equator.
Neighbours of Uganda and administration
Uganda is a landlocked country. It is bordered by Sudan in the North, Kenya in the East, Tanzania in the South, Rwanda in the Southwest and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in the West. It is divided into administrative units called districts. There are 112 districts at present. Each district has its own headquarters for easy administration and provision of services to the people. At national level, there are line ministries each with a particular role to play in the economy and national development.
Uganda’s Ecology
Ecologically, Uganda is where the East African savannah meets the West African jungle. Where else but in this impossibly lush country can one observe lions prowling the open plains in the morning and track chimpanzees through the rain forest undergrowth the same afternoon, then the next navigate tropical channels teeming with hippo and crocs before setting off into the misty mountains to stare deep into the eyes of the mountain gorilla? Certainly, Uganda is the only safari destination whose range of forest primates is as impressive as its selection of plains antelope. And this verdant biodiversity is further attested to by Uganda’s status as by far the smallest of the four African countries whose bird checklist tops the 1,000 mark.
Location: Uganda is a small landlocked East African country that lies astride the equator. It is bordered by Sudan to the north, DR Congo to the west, Kenya to the east and Tanzania and Rwanda to the south.
Size: 242,000 sq kms (approximately the size of the UK) and 20% of its surface is covered by water, part of the Great Lakes.
Borders: Safe and accessible land borders with Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania; risky land borders with Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)
Population: 28 million (2005 estimates)
People: Ugandans are remarkably hospitable people. The 52 nationalities (tribes) are fall in the broad ethnic classifications of Bantu, Nilotics, Nilo-Hermites and Hermites. Each nationality has elaborate customs and traditions many of which are displayed in colourful dances and dressing.
Main towns: Kampala (capital city), Entebbe, Jinja, Mbarara, Mbale, Gulu, Arua, Fort Portal.
Government: Republic, with direct presidential elections.
Independence date: October 9, 1962 (from Britain)
Life Expectancy: 42 (males), 45 (females).
Average Family income: US $400
Facts
Time: GMT/UTC + 3
Population: 42 million
Seasons: Wet (March to May, October to November), dry (December to February, June to September)
Telephone: Country code 256; international access code 000
ATMs: Kampala, Jinja, Mbale, Mbarara and major towns in Uganda
Capital: Kampala
Visa: US$50 for one month; issued at the Entebbe International Airport and at most borders
Languages: English, Luganda, Kiswahili
Area: 236, 580 sq km
Budget :US$20 a day in town, US$50 in parks
Money: Ugandan shilling; US$1 = USh3600
General Information
Uganda achieved independence from the UK in 1962. The dictatorial regime of Idi AMIN (1971-79) was responsible for the deaths of some 300,000 opponents; guerrilla war and human rights abuses under Milton OBOTE (1980-85) claimed at least another 100,000 lives. During the 1990s, the government promulgated non-party presidential and legislative elections.
Area : 241,139 sq km (93,104 sq miles).
Population : 24,748,977 (2002).
Population Density : 102.6 per sq km.
Capital : Kampala.
Population : 1,208,544 (2002)
GEOGRAPHY : Uganda shares borders with Sudan to the north, Kenya to the east, Lake Victoria to the southeast, Tanzania and Rwanda to the south and the Democratic Republic of Congo to the west. Kampala is on the shores of Lake Victoria, and the White Nile flowing out of the lake traverses much of the country. The varied scenery includes tropical forest and tea plantations on the slopes of the snowcapped Ruwenzori Mountains, the arid plains of the Karamoja, the lush, heavily populated Buganda, the rolling savannah of Acholi, Bunyoro, Tororo and Ankole, and the fertile cotton area of Teso .
Government : Republic. Gained independence from the UK in 1962. Head of State: President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni since 1986. Head of Government : Prime Minister Apolo Nsibambi since 1999.
Language : English is the official language, with Luganda and Swahili also widely spoken.
Religion : 60 per cent Christian, 32 per cent animist and 5 per cent Muslim.
Time : GMT + 3.
Electricity : 240 volts AC, 50Hz.
Communications :
Telephone : IDD is available to and from principal towns in Uganda. Country code: 256. Service for local calls is unreliable.
Mobile telephone : GSM 900/1800 network. Main network operators are Cellular Celtel (website: http://www.uganda.celtel.com/ ), MTN-Uganda (website: http://www.mtn.co.ug/ ) and Uganda Telecom Ltd (website: http://www.utl.co.ug/ ). Coverage extends to all major towns .
Fax : Service is available at the Postal & Telecommunications Office, 35 Kampala Road, Kampala; in central post offices in Jinja and Mbale between 0800-1600; and in some hotels.
Internet : ISPs include InfoCom (website: www.imul.com) and MTN Uganda (website: www.mtn.co.ug). There are Internet cafes in Kampala.
Telegram : Available in main towns.
Post: Airmail to Europe can take from three days to several weeks. Post office hours: Mon-Fri 0830-1230 and 1400-1730. Some post offices are open Sat 0830-1300.
Press : The English-language papers include The Economy, Financial Times, Guide, The Monitor, New Vision and The Star.
Radio : BBC World Service (website: www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice) and Voice of America (website: www.voa.gov) can be received. From time to time the frequencies change and the most up-to-date can be found online. There are also a number of FM Radio stations in the country which one can listen to for information and news.