Uganda
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Uganda is one of the most beautiful countries in Africa and is populated by friendly and hospitable people. Uganda suffered immensely under the rule of the notorious Idi Amin and is still rebuilding itself but things are improving every year. Attractions include the Ruwenzoris, the source of the Nile and the renowned Mountain Gorillas.
FACTS AND FIGURES
Area: 235,796sq km (32nd in Africa)
Capital: Kampala
Largest towns: Kampala, Jinja, Mbale, Fort Portal, Kabale
Population: 27 million
Official language: English
Other languages: KiSwahili (widely spoken, but not indigenous), Luganda, Runyoro
Currency: Uganda shilling
Head of state: President Yoweri Museveni
Life expectancy: 52 years
Literacy: 70%
Per Capita Income: US$220
TOURIST ATTRACTIONS
Murchinson Falls, Bwindi NP - Gorillas., Ruwenzori Mountains. Ssese islands, Lake Victoria, Source of the Nile.
MAIN INCOME
Tourism.
MAJOR CULTURES
European. Bantu - Batembuzi, Baganda, etc. Asian.
RELIGIONS
Christian, ZCC and Muslim.
GEOGRAPHY AND CLIMATE
Lies on the elevated basin between the eastern and western branches of the Rift Valley.
Most of the country is relatively flat and lies at an altitude of 1000m, although it has some big mountains.
Important Lakes are Lakes Victoria, Albert, Edward, George and Kyoga.
Wet seasons are from mid-September to November and March and May.
HISTORY
Had a big slave-trading problem with the Islamic slave traders.
Fell under British protectorate the same time as Kenya.
1962 gained independence under Milton Obote.
1971 - military coup by General Idi Amin.
1972 - all Asians expelled from the country, and their businesses, possessions and money were commandeered for state use.
Idi Amin's reign of terror began in which about 300,000 Ugandans died.
1975 Amin became president.
He declared war against Tanzania, and was later driven into exile by Nyerere (1979)
Obote back in power in 1980 initiating a reign of terror.
1985-second coup by Tito Okello - became president.
In 1986 Yoweri Museveni returned from exile and Okello surrendered to him.
Museveni president since 1986.
CRIME AND SAFETY
Relative safe country, probably one of the safest.
Some political unrest in a couple of national parks in the West due to the civil war in the Congo.
No real tourist related/aimed crime.
MONEY
It is very difficult to get money out on cc's from the banks - it is not advisable.
Very weak currency.
Banking hour's 09:00 - 14:00 on weekdays, forex open till 17:00 and Saturday mornings.
POST AND TELEPHONE
Very slow post, and not very reliable. Relatively good
phone system where available
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Botswana Ethiopia Kenya Malawi Mozambique Namibia South Africa Swaziland Tanzania Uganda Zambia Zimbabwe
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