Country guide - Uganda  

 
 

Introduction: Uganda is a landlocked country located in East Central Africa. It 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.

Official Name: Republic of Uganda
Area: 238,461 Sq Km (92,070 Sq Miles)
Population: 25,632,794
Continent: Africa
Density per square mile: 281
Capital City: Kampala
Religions: Roman Catholic 33%, Protestant 33%, Muslim 16%, indigenous beliefs 18%

Language: English (official national language, taught in grade schools, used in courts of law and by most newspapers and some radio broadcasts), Ganda or Luganda (most widely used of the Niger-Congo languages, preferred for native language publications in the capital and may be taught in school), other Niger-Congo languages, Nilo-Saharan languages, Swahili, Arabic
Government: Republic

Currency: Ugandan new shilling
GDP: $31 billion
GDP Per Head: $1,260

Natural Resources: Copper, cobalt, hydropower, limestone, salt, arable land
Land Use: Arable Land 25.34%
Agriculture: Coffee, tea, cotton, tobacco, cassava (tapioca), potatoes, corn, millet, pulses; beef, goat meat, milk, poultry, cut flowers.
Industry: Sugar, brewing, tobacco, cotton textiles, cement

Tourism: The British and Foreign Commonwealth Office advise the following:- There is a high risk from global terrorism in Uganda. We advise British nationals (especially those working for visibly British or Western organisations etc) to maintain a low profile and a high level of vigilance. Crowds and demonstrations should be avoided. Keep abreast of international and local news. We advise against travel to certain parts of Uganda because of rebel insurgency.

Natural Hazards: None
Health Risks: Bilharzia, HIV/AIDS, trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness), malaria, yellow fever.

Climate: Uganda has an equatorial climate with temperatures moderated by altitude. In general, the main dry season is from November to March with July the coolest month of the year. There is heavy rain between March and May and between October and November. The areas of Lake Victoria as well as the west and south west mountains receive the highest amount of rainfall with an annual rainfall of over 60 inches with more centralised areas receiving just 39 inches annually. Average annual temperature ranges in Kampala are from 22 degrees Celsius in January to 20 degrees Celsius in July.

Time: GMT/UTC + 3 hours
National Days: October 9 - Independance Day

Visas: Since 1 March 1999, British nationals have required a visa to enter Uganda. Citizens of most other countries do require visas also. All nationalities require an International Health Certificate showing proof of a yellow fever vaccination within the past 10 years.

British Embassy Details

 

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