Uganda Guide

January 31, 2021 findjobdescriptions

Uganda – country information

Country name	Uganda
Official name	Republic of Uganda
Capital	Kampala
Continent	Africa
Area	241,038 km²
Population	35,357,000 (2013)
The highest mountains	Margherita/Ngaliema 5,109m (Ruwenzori)
Longest rivers	Nile (in country 850 km)
The largest lakes	Ukerewe 68,800 km²
State system	transitional military government
The biggest cities	Kampala (Capital) 875,000, Jinja 75,000
Official language	English, Swahili
Ethnicity/National Composition	groups Ganda 18%, Teso 9%, Nkole 8.2%, Soga 8.2%, Gisu 7.2%, Chiga 6.8%, Lango 6%, Rwanda 5.8%, others 30.8%
Religious affiliation	Roman Catholics 50%, Protestants 29%, Muslims 6.5%, others 14.5%
Currency	1 Uganda Shilling (U Sh) = 100 cents
gross domestic product (GDP)	US$1,424 (2012)
Average life expectancy of the population	52.67 years (2006)

Uganda – Neighboring States

State	Capital	Area	Population
Democratic Republic of the Congo	Kinshasa	2,344,860 km²	67,514,000
South Sudan	Dzuba	644,329 km²	10,625,176
Kenya	Nairobi	580,367 km²	44,354,000
Rwanda	Kigali	26,338 km²	10,537,222
Tanzania	At home	945,087 km²	44,928,923

Country overview

According to Abbreviationfinder, Uganda is a landlocked country in East Africa that has been wracked by war in recent decades, but has been slowly returning to stability since 1986.

Uganda is a country in East Africa. Common borders in the north – with South Sudan, in the west – with the Congo, in the south – with Rwanda, Tanzania, in the east – with Kenya. The name comes from the kingdom of Buganda, which covered part of the south of the country, including the city of Kampala.

The capital is Kampala. The official languages are English and Swahili. Currency – Ugandan shilling.

The climate is subequatorial, softened by a significant height of the surface. Daytime temperatures in most areas range from +17*С to +28*С. The amount of rainfall is significant. Thanks to this, farmers can harvest two crops a year. The period of heavy rains – in March and September in the south of the country, in the north – about a month earlier. Wet and dry seasons are clearly distinguished.

There are elephants, hippos, buffaloes, antelopes, giraffes, lions, leopards, monkeys, rhinos, crocodiles, snakes, tsetse flies and malarial mosquitoes.

Most of the country’s territory is located at an altitude of 900-1500 m above sea level. The territory is bounded by mountains on almost all sides – on the eastern side, on the border with Kenya, there is Mount Elgon with a height of 4321 m.

Interesting facts

The first Europeans appeared on the territory of Uganda in 1860.

Countries where March 8 is officially celebrated:
Afghanistan, Burkina Faso, Vietnam, Guinea-Bissau, Zambia, Cambodia, Kiribati, China, Costa Rica, Cuba, Laos, Madagascar, Moldova, Mongolia, Nepal, Russia, Serbia, Uganda, Ukraine, Croatia, Montenegro, Eritrea.

Uganda is an agrarian underdeveloped country. Main industries: copper smelting, textile, cement, food. Transport – road, rail, navigation on lakes Victoria and Kyoga.

Country data

Location: East Africa

Time zone: CET + 2 (during summer time: CET + 1)

Total area: 241,038 km²

Land area: 197,100 km²

Water area: 43,938 km²

Length of the state border: 2,698 km

Bordering countries:
Kenya: 933 km
Congo, Democratic Rep.: 765 km
Rwanda: 169 km
South Sudan: 435 km
Tanzania: 396 km

Coastline: 0 km

Capital: Kampala

Regions: 112
Abim, Adjumani, Agago, Alebtong, Amolatar, Amudat, Amuria, Amuru, Apac, Arua, Budaka, Bududa, Bugiri, Buhweju, Buikwe, Bukedea, Bukomansimbi, Bukwa, Bulambuli, Buliisa, Bundibugyo, Bushenyi, Busia, Butaleja, Butambala, Buvuma, Buyende, Dokolo, Gomba, Gulu, Hoima, Ibanda, Iganga, Isingiro, Jinja, Kaabong, Kabale, Kabarole, Kaberamaido, Kalangala, Kaliro, Kalungu, Kampala, Kamuli, Kamwenge, Kanungu, Kapchorwa, Kasese, Katakwi, Kayunga, Kibaale, Kiboga, Kibuku, Kiruhura, Kiryandongo, Kisoro, Kitgum, Koboko, Kole, Kotido, Kumi, Kween, Kyankwanzi, Kyegegwa, Kyenjojo, Lamwo, Lira, Luuka, Luwero, Lwengo, Lyantonde, Manafwa, Maracha, Masaka Mayuge, Mbale, Mbarara, Mitooma, Mityana, Moroto, Moyo, Mpigi, Mubende, Mukono, Nakapiripirit, Nakaseke, Nakasongola, Namayingo, Namutumba, Napak, Nebbi, Ngora, Ntoroko, Nebbi, Ngora, Nwoya, Otuke, OyamtungPallisa, Rakai, Rubirizi, Rukungiri, Sembabule, Serere, Sheema, Sironko, Soroti, Tororo, Wakiso, Yumbe, Zombo

Electric current: 240 V / 50 Hz

Telephone code: 00 256 (Source: Allcitycodes)

Highest point: Margherita Peak 5,110 m

Population

Population: approx. 36 million residents (Countryaah, 2021)

Population growth: 3.2% per year

Population density (residents per km²): 149

Life expectancy: 53 (male), 56 (female)

Official language: Swahili, English

Religions:

42% Protestants
42% Roman Catholic
12% Muslim
4% other

Climate

Due to the proximity to the equator, the climate is very pleasant. In some regions it is a little cooler due to the altitude (over 1,000 m). The temperatures are between 15 and 35 ° C.

Heavy rains, which degenerate into very heavy thunderstorms, occur in the periods from March to May and October to November.

Currency / finance

Currency unit: Ugandan Shilling (UGX)

Classification: 1 shilling = 100 cents

ATMs: There are ATMs in individual banks in Kampala, Jinja or Mbarara.

International credit cards: These are rarely accepted. Primarily from some hotels and airlines in Kampala.

Regulations: The import and export of the local currency is prohibited. There is no limit to the number of foreign currencies that can be imported and exported.

You should only exchange the amounts actually required, as it is often very difficult to exchange them back. Often only with large price losses.

As a foreign currency, it is recommended to take US dollars with you. In general, however, only banknotes issued from 2002 onwards are accepted.

Customs regulations

The following may be carried duty-free:

200 cigarettes or 225 g of tobacco
1 liter of alcoholic beverages
small amounts of perfume

(Information applies to people aged 18 and over)

Tourists and people in transit can bring items of personal use with them duty-free.

The importation of weapons, drugs and pornographic material is prohibited and can lead to arrest and heavy fines.

Travel advice

There is a security risk for travelers throughout the country of Uganda. The areas in the north and the entire border region with the Democratic Republic of the Congo are particularly at risk.

There are isolated rebel activities in some mountain regions.

Behavioral advice

Photographing airports, military facilities and uniformed people is prohibited.

In the case of serious illnesses, especially if medical interventions are necessary, you should only have them treated in Europe!

Since the medical care is far below the European standard, we urgently recommend that you take out health insurance abroad!

Precautions:

Always wash fruits and vegetables with BOILED water
Only drink boiled water and milk

Economy

Agriculture, the largest branch of the economy, generates over half of Uganda’s gross national product. Since over 80% of the people work here, it is also the largest employer. In addition to coffee (the main export), cocoa, tobacco and sugar beet are grown.

In the industrial sector, household items, textiles, cement and articles for everyday use are produced.

Industries: agriculture, tobacco growing, textiles, cement, sugar growing

Natural resources: limestone, cobalt, copper, agricultural land, salt, hydropower

Land use: