About Uganda

FACTS

Area: 236,580 sq km

Population:approximately 24,5 million

Lake Victoria and the Nile River together create one of the best-watered areas of Africa. The highest peak is Mt. Stanley (5109m) in the Rwenzori Mountains.

Climate:

At most of Uganda is at a fairly constant altitude, with mountains only in east(Mt. Elgon). west the Rwenzori Mountains the bulk of the country is tropical, with temperatures averaging about 26c during days and 16c at night. The hottest months are December to February with temperatures up to 30c. The highlands can be considerably cooler at night.

The rainy seasons are generally from April to May and October to November.

Official Language: English and Swahili, other common language is Luganda originally spoken by the people in central Uganda.

Governance

Officially named The Republic of Uganda, headed by the President guided by the republican constitution. Voting qualifications are universal but for those above 18 years of age. The President of Uganda, currently is His Excellence Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, is both head of state and head of government.

Economic profile and Currency

Consistently ranked among Africa’s fastest growing economies since 1986, Uganda has experienced a steady expansion infrastructures, and a corresponding increase in international tourist arrivals and upmarket facilities.
We use the Ugandan Shilling (UGX) denominated with /= sign. At present, coins of 1, 2, 5, 10, 50, 100, 200 and 500 shillings are in circulation. And notes in circulation are in denominations of 1,000, 5,000, 10,000, 20,000 and 50,000.

People:

Lake Kyoga forms northern boundary for the Bantu speaking peoples, who dominate much of east and central and southern Africa and, in Uganda, include the Buganda, and several other tribes like Busoga, and bagishu. In the north live the Lango (near lake kyoga) and the Acholi (towards the sudanese border), who speak Nilotic languages. To the east are the Iteso and Karamojong, who are related to the Maasai and who also speak Nilotic languages. Pygmies live in the forest of the west.