Geography

Set at the equator, in Eastern Africa, Uganda is made up of four regions (central, Eastern, Northern and Western) on an area of 236, 580 sq km, with its capital at Kampala.

The country situated on a plateau. In the east and west there are volcanic mountains. Mount Elgon is the highest point of Uganda. There are several lakes in the country. Lake Victoria is the biggest. Other lakes are Lake Albert, Edward, George and Bisina. The entire country is traversed by the river Nile.

Population of Uganda - 32,369,558

History

Around 500 B.C. Bantu-speaking peoples migrated to the area now called Uganda. Three kingdoms dominated the land: Buganda, Bunyoro, and Ankole. It was first explored by Europeans and Arab traders in 1844. An Anglo-German agreement of 1890 declared it to be in the British sphere of influence in Africa . The country did not prosper financially, and in 1894 a British protectorate was proclaimed. Indians settled in, who became important players in Ugandan commerce.

Uganda became independent on October the 9th, 1962. The first president was Sir Edward Mutesa, the king of Buganda (Mutesa II), with Milton Obote as first prime minister, of the newly independent country. With the help of a young army officer, Col. Idi Amin, Prime Minister Obote seized control of the government from President Mutesa four years later.

Weather

The climate is tropical; generally rainy with two dry seasons (December to February, June to August); semiarid in northeast.

Religion

One-third of the population is Roman Catholic, one-third is Protestant, and 16 percent is Muslim; 18 percent believe in local religions.

Culture

Situated at the heart of the African continent, Uganda has long been a cultural melting pot, as evidenced by the existence of 30-plus different languages belonging to five different groups, and an a very diverse culture, music, art and handicrafts.

Farming and Industry

Sugar, coffee, tea, cotton, tobacco, fish and fish products, gold.

Houses

Traditional homes in Uganda are small and round, with one room. They have wooden frames plastered with mud and thatched with straw. These homes are still used in a lot of rural villages where these materials are readily available. However in towns and cities, western-style concrete buildings are now very common. The homes and buildings are often painted bright colours on the outside.

Music

Uganda music is an inherent part of Uganda culture. Some of the Instruments of Uganda Music.

Amadinda, Ennanga, Ensasi, Endingidi, Engalabi, Enkwanzi, Sansa

Uganda has many talented musicians. Some of the Uganda Musicians are:

Achilla Orru, Bebe Cool, Madoxx, Philly Lutaaya, Samite

Food

Most people produce their own food. They eat two meals a day: lunch and supper. Breakfast is often a cup of tea or porridge. Meals are prepared by women and girls; men and boys age twelve and above do not sit in the kitchen, which is separate from the main house. Cooking usually is done on an open wood fire. Popular dishes include matoke (a staple made from bananas), millet bread, cassava (tapioca or manioc), sweet potatoes, chicken and beef stews, and freshwater fish. The national drink is waragi, a banana gin.

Celebrations

New Year's Day - 1 January, Liberation Day - 26 January, International Women's Day - 8 March, Labor Day - 1 May, National Heroes Day - 9 June, Independence Day - 9 October.