Uganda Overview
Uganda is located in East Africa and borders Congo-Kinshasa, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Sudan. The country is one of the more well-functioning countries in the region. The country originated from the former British East Africa, which consisted of Kenya and Uganda. The British handled their presence fairly wisely, thus avoiding the worst bloodshed among the locals.
Capital: | Kampala |
Biggest city: | Kampala |
State: | republic |
Language: | English, Swahili |
Religion: | Christianity, indigenous religions, Islam |
Surface: | 236 040 km² |
Population: | 36.9 million (2013) |
Population density: | 137 residents per km² |
Life expectancy: | 53 years |
Illiteracy: | 33% |
Currency: | Ugandan shilling (UGX) 1 shilling = 0.0020 kr |
GDP per capita: | $ 1,200 (2010) |
Time difference: | +2 hours |
Electricity: | 240 V AC, 50 Hz |
National Day: | October 9 |
Country area code: | 257 |
2-Letter country abbreviation: | UG (See more abbreviations on Abbreviationfinder) |
Business: | agriculture 86%, service sector 10%, industry 4% |
Climate: | tropical, with two rainy seasons (from March to May and from September to November); steppe climate in the northeast |
In 1962, Uganda became independent and the first years went well for the new nation. But then the brutal dictator Idi Amin entered the scene and started a horror regiment, which in the seventies cost 300,000 lives. In 1979, he was overthrown and forced to flee.
Uganda has been ruled by President Yoweri Museveni since 1986. Democratic development is slow and despite economic growth under Museveni’s leadership, much work remains to be done before Uganda overcomes its problems. Uganda is located on Lake Victoria and is where most of the country’s tourist areas are located. This is also where you will find Uganda’s capital, Kampala.
WORLD HERITAGE
The following objects in Uganda are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The year in which the item was added to the list is indicated in parentheses.
- Bwindi National Park (1994)
- Ruwenzoribergens National Park (1994)
- Tomb of Kings in Buganda (2001)
ELECTRICAL OUTLET
Electricity and electrical outlets in Uganda
Voltage: 240 V
Frequency: 50 Hz
Type of plug: G
Need an adapter: Yes, Swedes need an adapter.
CLIMATE AND WEATHER
Weather in Kampala
Climate | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Christmas | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
Average temperature °C | 22 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 |
Day °C | 24 | 26 | 25 | 24 | 24 | 23 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 |
Night °C | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 |
Kampala
According to Countryaah, Kampala is the capital of Uganda, and has 1.4 million residents (2008). Kampala is also the country’s largest city. Kampala grew up around a fortification built by Frederick Lugard in 1890 for the British East Africa Company. The city grew as the capital of the Kingdom of Buganda. Several buildings from this time are preserved. In 1962, Kampala replaced the then capital Entebbe as the country’s capital. A large part of the city was destroyed after the overthrow of Idi Amin’s dictatorship in 1979, and the civil war that followed. The city was later rebuilt. Kampala manufactures, for example, furniture and machine parts. Agricultural export goods include coffee, cotton, tea and sugar.