Some facts about Uganda
History: Uganda obtained independence from the British in October, 1962.
The official Language spoken in Uganda is English.
Uganda has numerous local languages that originate from the more than 52 tribes in the country. However, in the capital, Kampala, Luganda and English are spoken mostly. Swahili is spoken on a very low scale; less than 1% of Uganda’s population speaks the language. This is because of historical reasons.
Location: East Africa. Along the Equator
Map showing Uganda and her neighbors; Sudan on the Northern side, Kenya located on the Eastern side, Democratic Republic of Congo on the Western side, Rwanda and Tanzania at the South.
Kampala: the capital city of Uganda as seen in pictures
Climate: Like most of the other African countries, Uganda has only the dry season commonly known as the sunny season of the dominance of the sun) and the wet season ( rainy season because of the dominance of the rain).
The weather of Uganda is lovable, it rains and the next second a bright sun is shining.
Generally, Uganda is rainy with two dry seasons (December to February, June to August); and semi-arid in North-eastern part of the country. Uganda therefore has a tropical type of climate.
Population: Uganda has a population of 32,369,558 with the given percentages as below;
- Ugandans - 70.4%
- Other foreigners - 29.6%
The Ugandan flag:
Black- the color of our skin.
Yellow- the beautiful sun that shines in Uganda.
Red-brotherhood.
The Uganda emblem:
The beautiful crested crane, the most peaceful bird in Uganda. It has all the colours of the Uganda flag. This bird is not very common around the country. This bird also has only one partner for life. It is also believed that this bird cannot get another partner when its partner dies.
Uganda Court of Arms
Food: Uganda has a variety of foods. The staple foods include Matooke and Kalo. Matooke is a type of banana and Kalo is ground millet floor or cassava floor that is prepared with hot water.
Local Activities: Uganda depends on farming. Most rural families are farmers. Farming contributes about 71.4% of Uganda’s exports. Farming includes growing crops such as cotton, coffee, tea, tobacco, flowers, rearing animals e.g. cows, goats, pigs, etc, poultry. Lake Victoria, shared amongst East African counties is the biggest fresh water lake in Africa. Fishing activities are very common around the lake.
Tourism: Uganda has a wide range of tourist attractions. These include; wild animals in the game parks, birds, waterfalls, the source of the River Nile, Rocks, Forests, Mountains, unique landscapes, as well as unique tribes and ancient kings’ tombs and shrines. Tribal activities such as circumcision and traditional weddings are also common tourist attractions.
Transport: The commonest transport is by road. Public transport means include the following; Mini buses are used as taxis. ‘Boda-boda’- Motorcycle used as public means. This is a very convenient means of transport. Special hire taxis also used at passenger’s convenience. Big buses are used for long journeys. Feries, small and big boats used across rivers and also to travel to islands.
Culture and tradition: Uganda has a conservative African tradition and the people are culturally sensitive. In general, Ugandans are considered very polite and friendly, as well as less aggressive as compared to a number of African countries. It is common for a stranger to say hullo, this should not shock you. It is not very common for Ugandans though to be clad in tradition wear. Ugandans dress casually, or formally (as in office) especially in Kampala. Traditional dressing includes; the Busuti and Mushanana or Suuka for women, and the Kanzu for men, bitenge- this is a unisex dressing but tailored to the buyer in desired fashion.
What not to do in Uganda:
Kissing in public is unacceptable in public.
It is rude to smoke in public.
It is rude to hiss or whistle at someone in Uganda.
In most local homes, it is rude to enter with shoes.
It is very indecent to wear very short clothes in rural areas.
It is not common to eat while walking in Uganda.
The rest of this kind of information will be provided to the EP while in country and during the orientation
week.
Below are some of the unique words that are commonly used:
Olyotya?: How are you?
Gyendi/ Bulungi: I am fine/ alright/ okay. (Response to the above)
Boda boda: Name given to common motorcycle used for public transport.
Ogamba ki/ Kiki kati?: Used like ‘What’s up’?
Tewali: Nothing.
Sagala: I do not want.
Other words provided to the EP during orientation.
Religion: Uganda is mainly dominated by Christianity and Islam. Below are some of the main places of worship in pictures.
Diseases: Uganda still has a wide range of population infected with HIV/AIDS. An EP will realize that there are numerous anti-AIDS campaigns over local radios, television channels, billboards and city gigs. Other common sicknesses include malaria and flu/ colds which heal on prescribed medicine and medical treatment.
Diseases: Uganda still has a wide range of population infected with HIV/AIDS. An EP will realize that there are numerous anti-AIDS campaigns over local radios, television channels, billboards and city gigs. Other common sicknesses include malaria and flu/ colds which heal on prescribed medicine and medical treatment.
Currency: Ugandan currency is in shillings, called the Uganda Shilling (UGX).
It is usually for rated with the USD as $1= approx UGX 1700 (also 1700/=), and with the British Pound at
1Pound= approx 3000/=. Other rates of some European, Asian and African currencies are also available.
We usually recommend that an EP changes their money to Pounds if they have a chance because the
pound holds more value in Uganda, as shown above.
Standard of living: Uganda, according to foreign standards has a very low cost of living as compared to most countries in Africa and the neighbouring East African countries. For example; Travelling within the capital of Kampala, from one town to another is less than $1 using public means of transport. Meals cost less than $2.
The EP can be provided with a budget if they wish before arrival.
Visas: We usually recommend that EPs that do not require Invitation letters before travelling to Uganda to get a tourist visa on arrival at the airport. This lasts 3 months and costs $50. This visa is also renewable at $50 after the 3 months. This is mostly recommended for EPs staying for not more than 6 months. This kind of visa is preferable because it is very hard to obtain a work permit in Uganda. It is also very lengthy, bureaucratic, and expensive to get one. AIESEC in Uganda is however taking on a few legal activities to see how AIESEC EPs can be able to get free work permits for as long as they stay in the country.
Links:
To know more about Uganda and AIESEC in Uganda, you can use the links provided below;
