Uganda
UGANDA WELCOMES YOU
Uganda is located in the heart of Sub-Saharan Africa and lies astride the Equator. The total area of the country is about 241,039 square kilo-metres of which about 43,942 sq. km are covered by fresh water bodies and swamps. Uganda is a country strategically positioned within East and Central Africa, a region that includes some of Africa’s most economically important and resource rich countries with a substantial market and great future potential.
The country is land-locked and borders the Sudan to the north, the Democratic Republic of Congo to the west, Kenya to the east, and Tanzania and Rwanda to the south.
For the visitor, Uganda offers exceptional diversity combining some of the best features that Africa has to offer. The country lies at the overlap between the tropical East African Savannah and the West African rain-forest zones. It is a country blessed with contrasting physical features ranging from extensive plains with undulating hills to snow-capped mountains, waterfalls, meandering rivers and spectacular flora and fauna. Seven of Africa’s plant kingdoms are represented in Uganda, which is more than any other country on the continent. In addition, Uganda ranks among the top ten in the world in terms of the diversity of its mammal groups. For example, by comparison with the UK, Uganda supports five times more bird species, six times as many mammals, ten times as many reptiles and amphibians and three times the number of plant species
Uganda is also the source of the Great River Nile and Africa’s second largest fresh water lake, the Lake Victoria.
Such is Uganda’s potential in Africa that the former British Premier, Sir Winston Churchill after his many journeys across the length and width of the African continent, concluded that the country (Uganda) was indeed the Pearl of Africa. His verdict did not only describe the wealth of Uganda’s resources, but also the peaceful environment and social system in which the people of Uganda lived. Uganda welcomes you.
Country Data
Area
Land Area: 197,097 Sq. Km
Water and Swamps: 43,942 Sq. Km
Total Area: 241,039 Sq. Km Land Use
Arable Land: 25%
Permanent Crops: 9%
Permanent Pastures: 9%
Forests and Woodland: 28%
Other: 29%
Demographics
Total Population (2002): 24.7 M
Female Population (2002): 12.6 M
Male Population (2002): 12.1 M
Percentage Urban (2002): 12%
Population of Kampala City (2002): 1,208,544
Female Population/Aged 15-54 (2002): 5.4 Million
Male Population/Aged 15-54 (2002): 5 Million
Young Adults/Aged 10-24 (2002): 7.9 Million
Population/Aged under 5 years (2002): 3.83 Million
Population/Aged 65+ (2002): 0.77Million
Population Density (2002): 126 persons per Km
Inter-Censual Annual Population Growth Rate (1991-2002): 3.4% per year
Infant Mortality Rate (2000/01): 88 per 1000 live births
Life Expectancy (1991): 48.1 years
Male: 45.7 years
Female: 50.5 years
Population per Physician (Doctor): 18,575
Education
Literacy Rate (2002): 64% Religions
Roman Catholic: 33%
Protestants: 33%
Muslim: 16%
Indigenous Beliefs: 18%
Form of State: Republic
President: H. E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni
Legal System: Based on English law and the new Constitution enacted in October 1995
National Legislature: 295 Elected members (by Adult Suffrage 214 & electoral colleges 81) and 10 Ex-officio
Last Elections: Presidential - March 2001, Parliamentary June 2001
Official language: English
Other languages: Swahili, Luganda
Capital City: Kampala
Currency: Uganda Shilling
Time: GMT+3
RECENT POLITICAL HISTORY
Uganda has come a long way from its pre-1986 days and in many ways reflects the new face of emerging Africa. Under the firm leadership of President Yoweri Museveni, Uganda has trans-formed into a politically stable country with a dynamic economy based on free make principles.
Uganda’s broad-based system of government provides for a stable government committed to the development of the country. The Rule of Law is entrenched and has prevailed for over 12 years.
Uganda today has a strong peoples’ parliament and an independent judiciary to check on the Executive. Together, these institutions have been able to guarantee stability, thereby providing investors with a high degree of certainty for their future planning.
KAMPALA CITY - The capital of Uganda
Kampala, the capital of Uganda is a rapidly expanding cosmopolitan city with a population of 1,208,544 people. The city takes its name from Kasozi k’mpala, "the hill of antelopes" and its origins go back to 1891 when the Kabaka of Buganda had his court on Rubaga and Mengo Hills one of the 21 hills that now make up Kampala.
In spite of its rapid expansion, evidenced by the modern structures, red-tiled villas and iron roofed bungalows that have come up in recent years; Kampala has largely retained its traditional charm and remains one of the greenest cities in Africa. The city boasts of all the modern trappings ranging from international banks, five-star hotels, first class restaurants, state-of- the-art conference facilities to modern communications infrastructure. The cosmopolitan nature of Kampala is reflected in the wide choice of eating-places to be found in the city ranging from continental type facilities to Chinese and Indian restaurants.
Other towns in Uganda include Entebbe, home of Uganda’s International Airport and a number of hotel resorts and Jinja, the second industrial town of Uganda and the source of the Great River Nile. There are many other small upcoming towns in different parts of the country.
QUALITY OF LIFE
The quality and cost of living in Kampala and other major towns in the country compares favorably with what investors may hope to find elsewhere in Africa. Modern first class hotels, serviced apartments are to be found in the urban centres. Leisure facilities exist for such pass-times as golf, horse riding and equestrian sports, tennis, white water rafting and sailing on the Lake Victoria. Uganda’s education system is still among the best in Africa and provides good quality education at different levels.
Foreign investors and their expatriates can enroll their children at a number of reputable international schools in the country. Unfurnished housing accommodation in Kampala goes for between US$500 and US$2000 per month. Unfurnished housing accommodation in Kampala goes for between US$500 and US$2000 per month.
For more information please visit the Uganda Investment Authority website