Geography
The Republic of Uganda is in East Africa and is bordered by Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda.

Kampala is the capital city. Major cities include Jinja, Mbale and Mbarara.

Uganda's terrain consists of plateau and mountains. Principal rivers are the Albert Nile and the Victoria Nile. Uganda's lakes are Lake Victoria on the borders with Kenya and Tanzania, Lakes Albert and Edward on the border of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Lakes George and Kyoga.

The climate is tropical with dry and rainy seasons.

Environment
The Uganda Wildlife Authority is responsible for protected areas throughout the country.

Parks include Mount Elgon, Kibale Forest, Kidepo Valley, Lake Mburo, Mgahinga, Murchison Falls, Semliki and Queen Elizabeth. Bwindi National Park and the Rwenzori Mountain Park are on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Uganda's National Parks and Game Reserves are home to many animals: antelopes, chimpanzees, colobus monkeys, elephants, giraffes, gorillas, leopards, lions and zebras. A thousand species of birds have been recorded.

The mountain gorilla is an endangered species. The Kigezi Game Reserve (Mgahinga) was set up for the protection of the mountain gorilla while the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest Gorilla Sanctuary was established to protect the lowland mountain gorilla.

Architecture
The Sheraton Hotel, with fourteen floors, is one of the tallest buildings in Kampala. As well as examples of modern architecture there are villas and iron-roofed bungalows. Jinja, Uganda's second largest city, has a number of Asian-style buildings, the legacy of Uganda's Asian community.

Ugandan round buildings can be seen at the country's World Heritage site, The Tombs of Buganda Kings at Kasubi in the Kampala district. The tombs, constructed of wood, thatch, reed and wattle and daub, were established in 1884 and were originally the palace of the Kabakas of Buganda.

Population
The population of Uganda was estimated at 49,111,958 in 2022.

Languages
English is the official language. Other languages spoken include Luganda and Swahili.

Religion
A significant percentage of Ugandans are Christians, a number are Muslims and some have indigenous beliefs.

Food
Staple foods eaten in Uganda include plantains, maize, millet and sorghum. In times of drought millet and sorghum are popular as they are relatively easy to cultivate.

Beans, sweet potatoes, yams and cassava are grown. Cassava, a root vegetable, is often made into dumplings. Fruit and groundnuts are available.

Soups and stews are supplemented with goat's meat, beef and fish. Chicken is also eaten.

People in southern Uganda use hot spices and eat chapati bread, introduced by the Indian population. In the west of the country, where cattle are widely reared, dairy products are an important part of the diet.

Sorghum is used to make beer for local consumption.

Next Page | Facts | Gallery