Introducing UGANDA  

HIGHLIGHTS

Hailed as "The Pearl of Africa" by Sir Winston Churchill, his sentiments about this beautiful country still ring true. Surprisingly the people of Uganda have remained as warm and friendly, as their history has been diverse. Its added attraction is that the country offers the 'true adventurer' one of the last remaining 'spots' comparatively unscathed by mass tourism. The country does not have a coastline (like neighboring Kenya and Tanzania) the hub of activity notably in Kampala, its capital, though many safaris into Uganda commence from across neighboring borders. Ultimately Uganda is an 'away from it all' safari adventure destination, as well as being a sanctuary for an increasing amount of wildlife, including Africa's Gentle Giants, the silver-backed gorilla.


HISTORY

Little has been recorded of Uganda's history before the turn of the 19th century. Divided into kingdoms ruled by 'Kabakas' (kings), early influences ranged from Catholic & Protestant Missionaries to Muslims, unwittingly creating a country governed by a policy of 'divide and rule.' In 1890 the 'Treaty of Berlin' defined which regions in East Africa fell under whose jurisdiction, and Uganda become a Britain protectorate.

After independence in 1962 a succession of turmoil, including the 'bloody' years of madman, President Idi Amin's reign of terror, and friction with neighboring Rwanda have undoubtedly shaped the world's negative impression of Uganda. In contrast Uganda is now thriving and boasts the fastest growing economy in Africa. Under President Museveni's leadership much has been done to boost Uganda's economical growth, including the restoration and development of the tourism industry.

GEOGRAPHY & CLIMATE

Uganda covers an area of approximately 237,000 square kilometers. A lush countryside of forested highlands is the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Uganda. Its terrain varies from the fertile shores of Lake Victoria in the south (one of the largest water surfaces in Africa), to the 'almost' impenetrable depths of the Ruwenzori Mountains (close to the Rwanda and Congo border), stunning mountain ranges in the southwest & eastern regions, with semi-desert terrain to the northeast. Surprisingly the bulk of Uganda is fairly flat with temperatures ranging from mid 20's to high 30 ºC according to the season. In the south the rains fall between April & May, as well as October & November, the wettest month being April. To the north the rainy season is from April to October. The dry reason starts from November through to March, December/February being the hottest.

N.B: Many thanks to Wolfgang Thome of the Uganda Tourist Board for his assistance with this information.