Country Profile · No. 52

Uganda

Capital / Admin Capital

KampalaPopulation: ~48.6MIndependence: 1962 (October 9)

First Prime Minister / President

Milton Obote (Prime Minister at independence, later President)Current President: Yoweri Museveni (Serving since January 1986)

Geography & Borders

South Sudan, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Landlocked East African nation straddling the Equator, featuring massive freshwater lakes like Lake Victoria and the source of the Nile River.

Demographics & Language

Christianity (~84%), Islam (~14%). Official: English language, Swahili language. Major groups: Baganda (~16%), Ankole (~10%), Basoga (~9%), Iteso (~7%), Bakiga (~7%).

Economy & GDP

Agriculture (coffee, tea, cotton), emerging crude oil production, tourism, fishing.

Global Diaspora

1. United Kingdom (~150k), 2. United States (~100k), 3. Canada (~30k). U.S. Hubs (States / Cities): Texas (Dallas/Houston), California (Los Angeles), Massachusetts (Boston), Georgia (Atlanta).

Major Conflicts

Ugandan-Tanzanian War (1978–1979 overthrowing Idi Amin), Ugandan Bush War (1981–1986), Lord's Resistance Army insurgency (1987–2006).

3 Must-See Sites

1. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Ancient montane forest protecting nearly half of the world's remaining endangered mountain gorillas), 2. Murchison Falls National Park (Dramatic national park where the entire Nile River forces its way through a narrow 7-meter gorge), 3. Queen Elizabeth National Park (Renowned savanna reserve famous for tree-climbing lions and hippos).

Quick Facts

Famously dubbed the "Pearl of Africa" by Winston Churchill due to its breathtaking landscapes and rich biodiversity; source of the White Nile, the primary tributary of the world's longest river.