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Why did we choose Uganda?

That is easy! We have been travelling and working in other african countries too, but Uganda has touched us. The people are extremely friendly and easy to connect with. The population is willing to develop and to work with foreigners. The language spoken is English, making it attractive for volunteers. Uganda has a variety of people and nature. The Republic of Uganda is a landlocked country in East Africa, bordered on the east by Kenya, the north by Sudan, on the west by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, on the southwest by Rwanda, and on the south by Tanzania. The southern part of the country includes a substantial portion of Lake Victoria, within which it shares borders with Kenya and Tanzania.

Ugandan facts

Capitalcity: Kampala

Official languages: English, Swahili, but most people speak Luganda in Buganda district, than more than 32 other local languages. Government: Yoweri Museveni

Population: 30,900,000 (1.5 million in Kampala)

Currency: Ugandan Shilling Ugandan

History

The political history of Uganda is long and complex. From the "Cradle of Civilization" to present date, Uganda's history has been both varied and fascinating. This section attempts to give a chronological account of Uganda's political history. Under the 1995 constitution, there is an elected president and a one-house legislature. Uganda consisted of a number of small kingdoms when the British moved into the area in the 1890's. The most powerful kingdom, Buganda, became a British protectorate in 1894, and two years later British authority was extended to cover most of the rest of the region. Great Britain retained control of this territory until 1962, when Uganda became an independent nation within the British Commonwealth. A federal republic was established in 1963, with the king of Buganda as president. In early 1966 the prime minister, Milton Obote, seized the presidency. In 1971 he was deposed in a military coup led by General Idi Amin.Amin established an extremely repressive dictatorship. Tens of thousands of Ugandans were put to death. In 1972 he deported all residents of East Indian descent. They had owned most of the nation's businesses, and after their departure the country's economy deteriorated. In 1979 an invasion force of Ugandan exiles and Tanzanians overthrew Amin. Obote returned from exile and in 1980 was elected president by the national legislature. During his rule thousands of Ugandans died at the hands of his security forces and undisciplined troops. In 1985 the army leaders deposed Obote. The military government, in turn, was overthrown in 1986 by rebel forces led by Yoweri Museveni, who became president. In 1996 Museveni was elected president in the country's first direct elections for that office. He was reelected in 2001. In 2005, Ugandans voted to restore multiparty democracy, which had been suspended in 1986. Museveni was reelected president in 2006.

Kampala, the capital city:

The capital city Kampala is the 'hart of Uganda'. It distinguishes itself from the rest of the country. It is very busy with a lot of traffic and people. It is situated about 35 kilometers from the airport Entebbe. Kampala has it all! There bars, clubs, sport clubs, shops, restaurants and much more, all with an African twist. The city is crowded and the African markets and sales people are throughout the streets. It is very alive. The history of Kampala, like that of many other cities in the world, derives from both folklore and historical fact. According to folklore, much of the area where present-day Kampala stands was dominated by wetlands and rolling hills. This made it an ideal habitat for the Impala and other members of the antelope family. They grazed on the slopes of the hills and came down to the wetlands for water. The Baganda, eager to adopt foreign words into the local language, translated "hill of the Impala" into Luganda as "kasozi k'Impala" (pronounced "ka Impala" and eventually "ka mpala"). So whenever the Kabaka left his palace to go to hunt his favourite game, royal courtiers would say "the Kabaka has gone to Kampala to hunt". The name stuck.

Religion

Christianity is widespread in Uganda and there are also several Muslim sects. Imported religious have in many cases become integrated into traditional religions such as Kiganda. Most religions are accepted and people with various beliefs work and live next to each other. When to visit: Uganda has a warm climate all year round and, because it lies on the Equator, seasonal temperature variations are insignificant. The main factor you should consider when planning a trip to Uganda is the rainfall pattern, especially if you plan on hiking in the Rwenzori Mountains. The wettest months are April, may, October and November. Districts Uganda is divided into 80 districts spread across four administrative regions: Northern, Eastern, Central and Western. The districts are subdivided into counties. A number of districts have been added in the past few years, and eight others were added on July 1, 2006. Most districts are named after their main commercial and administrative towns. Each district is divided into sub-districts, counties, sub-counties, parishes and villages. Parallel with the state administration, five traditional Bantu kingdoms have remained, enjoying some degrees of mainly cultural autonomy. The kingdoms are Toro, Ankole, Busoga, Bunyoro and Buganda.

Climate

The climate in Uganda is very pleasant. It's a bit windy, but the temperatures are most of the year between 25 and 35 degrees. Up north the climate becomes a bit more dry and hotter, in the south the temperature remains around 30 degrees. There are two rainy seasons in Feb. to June, and in Oct. to Dec. but this doesn't mean it rains all the time. The rain is most of the time a relief and lasts for an hour.

Safety in Uganda

Although much of Uganda is generally safe, there are some risky areas. North of Murchison Falls National Park, and around some towns, such as Lira and Gulu, the fruitcakes of the LRA continue to wreak havoc. It is also important to take care in the far northeast due to regular clashes between armed Karamajong people and anyone they don’t like. It is imperative to make inquiries with knowledgeable local authorities before setting off to these areas. Safety in Uganda is a safe travel and working destination. Although the history of the country displays war and restless times, currently the situation is somehow stable. As a ‘muzungu’ (white person) you are able to travel in almost all parts of the country. Be aware of the fact that you are a ‘white’ and therefore always associated with money. Ugandans like to take advantage of that. Also be aware of your bags and other attributes when walking in crowded areas. Pickpockets are there. The war in the northern part of Uganda is stable at this point (2008) and the government is trying to establish peace with Mr. Kony, the initiator of the war. Although these peace conferences are not all completed yet, traveling to Gulu, Lira and Kitgum is possible. As a women traveling in Uganda, you will find it reasonable to expect a fair bit of flirting and the odd direct proposition, especially if you mingle with Ugandans in bars, but a firm NO should be enough to defuse any potential situation.

Money

The Ugandan shilling (USh) is a relatively stable currency. Cash can be changed easily at major banks and foreign exchange (forex) bureaus. The best banks are Standard Chartered and Barclays Banks. The forex bureaus offer slightly better exchange rates than the banks. At both banks and forex bureaus, small US dollar bills attract a much lower exchange rate than do US$50 and US$100 notes, and the rate for travellers cheques is about 2% lower than they are for cash. Exchange rates in Kampala are up to 15% better than is the case elsewhere in the country, so stock up on shillings in the capital. Standard Chartered Bank has a network of ATMs that accept international credit cards, located at branches in Kampala, as well as in Jinja, Mbale and Mbarara. For credit-card cash advances, the only realistic option is Barclays Bank in Kampala, which offers advances in US dollars or Uganda shillings. Some hotels and big expenses such as white-water rafting can go on the card. argaining is necessary in informal transactions such as those at markets and roadside stalls, but not in shops that display fixed prices.

Age Structure

0-14 years: 50% (male 7,903,935/female 7,789,792) 15-64 years: 47.8% (male 7,528,073/female 7,469,938) 65 years and over: 2.2% (male 284,122/female 392,112) (2008 est.) <

HIV/AIDS

People living with HIV/AIDS 4.1% (2003 est.) 530,000 (2001 est.) The AIDS rate is currently (2008) increasing again, since government is not taking appropriate measurement to inform the population about prevention methods. In the capital city people are open to talk about it and aware of the risks, but that doesn't mean people use protection. Up-country the beliefs and information about HIV/AIDS is scarce and people are not well-informed at all or have no excess to health care or appropriate protection.

Export in Uganda

Uganda has substantial natural resources, including fertile soils, regular rainfall, and sizable mineral deposits of copper, cobalt, gold, and other minerals. Agriculture is the most important sector of the economy, employing over 80% of the work force. Coffee accounts for the bulk of export revenues. Since 1986, the government - with the support of foreign countries and international agencies - has acted to rehabilitate and stabilize the economy by undertaking currency reform, raising producer prices on export crops, increasing prices of petroleum products, and improving civil service wages. The policy changes are especially aimed at dampening inflation and boosting production and export earnings. During 1990-2001, the economy turned in a solid performance based on continued investment in the rehabilitation of infrastructure, improved incentives for production and exports, reduced inflation, gradually improved domestic security, and the return of exiled Indian-Ugandan entrepreneurs.

Health

Health Life in Uganda for a foreigner is perfectly doable. In the capital city you are able to get western food in the supermarket and there is access to good health care in the hospitals and various clinics. Up-country the excess is sometimes more difficult, depending on the region where you stay. There are bacterial diseases in Uganda and it is required for traveler to take the pre-described mediation and pre-cautions during your stay in Uganda. It is advised to visit a medical clinic after arrival back in your home-country to make sure that you are fine. When you follow the pre-set rules concerning food, water and hygiene, you most likely will be perfectly fine. When having sex, make sure you use appropriate protection and be aware of the sexual transmitted diseases.

Highligths of Uganda