Facts About Uganda

Area: 236,580 sq km. Almost the size of UK; but 20% of this is covered by
          water, part of the Great Lakes Region.

Capital City: Kampala
Other important towns: Jinja, Entebbe, Mbale, Mbarara, Gulu, Arua, Fort                                       Portal.
Country code: +256

Currency: Ugandan Shillings (UShs/UGX)
Famous for: Idi Amin (the late president who was a strong dictator- self proclaimed as the Conqueror of the British Empire); Source of River Nile – the longest river in the world; White-water rafting, the rarest Mountain Gorillas, the Equator and a variety of birds.

Climate:It is tropical; generally rainy with two dry seasons (December – February and June – August), and semi arid conditions in the Northeast.

Terrain: It is mostly plateau with rim of mountains. The lowest point is Lake Albert at 621 metres above sea level and the highest is Margherita peak on Mount Rwenzori, at 5109 metres above sea level.

Natural Resources: Many minerals are available such as copper, cobalt, limestone, salt and others. Water is also available for the generation of Hydro-electric Power. The land is arable for farming
Land use is at 21.6% for arable land, 8.9% for Permanent crops and 69.5% for others. Irrigated land is 90 sq km.

Population: 30,262,610.(2008 estimates) Explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to HIV/AIDS; this can result into lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected.

Geographically: Landlocked, fertile, well watered country with many lakes and    rivers
Ethnic Groups: Baganda 16.9%, Banyankole 9.5%, Basoga 8.4%, Bakiga 6.9%, Iteso 6.4%,Langi 6.1%, Acholi 4.7%, Bagishu 4.6%, Lugbara 4.2%, Banyoro 4.2%, others  29.6%
Time zone: GMT +3 hours

Type of Government: Republic, with direct presidential elections. The 
                                   presidential term is five (5) years.
Independence: 9th October 1962; from the British who were our colonizers.
Public holidays:  January 1:         New Year’s Day
                           March 8:            Women’s Day
                           May 1:               Labour Day
                           June 3:              Martyrs’ Day
                          June 9:               Heroes Day
                          October 9:          Independence Day
                          December 25:     Christmas Day
                          December 26:     Boxing Day
                          Movable dates:   Good Friday, Easter Monday, Idd (Eid)

Driving: Driving is on the left, third-party insurance is compulsory. All        
              drivers must carry a valid driving permit.

Emergency Contacts: The following contacts are available 24 hours a day;
            Police: 999 (Toll free for landlines) and 112 (Toll free for mobile phones)
            International Air Ambulance: 0312-200508
            AAR Health Services: 0312-263071
            Police Hotline: 0414-256366
For cases where the above numbers can not be easily accessed or you have not been helped to your expectations; contact any staff of Eco-Specialists Tours, you may be helped to success.