A brief introduction to Uganda

A BRIEF INTRODUCTION TO UGANDA
(from the SHIM manual adapted from UMIVM manual)

The Republic of Uganda is a landlocked country in East Africa bordered by Sudan (North), Kenya (East), The Congo (West), and Rwanda and Tanzania (South). It was dubbed, “the Pearl of Africa” by Winston Churchill. Uganda is currently quite peaceful and safe, except in northern Uganda where the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) has terrorized Ugandans and kidnapped children to be soldiers. Thankfully, this conflict seems to be being brought to a resolution.

Uganda is approximately the size of Oregon (93,000 sq miles). The capital is Kampala, about 40 kilometers from Entebbe International Airport. The population of Uganda is approximately 27,000,000. Life expectancy is 41 years, largely due to the AIDS epidemic. The average age in Uganda is 15, the lowest in the world. 85% of the population is “Christian” (this term is used extremely loosely), 13% are Muslim, 1% Traditional religion (animist), and 1% other non-Christian religions such as Hindi.

Uganda is a third-world, East African country, but it is remarkably modern in many ways. Electricity is 220 volts, with British type plugs (bring converters). Many electronics and other items requiring import can be found in Kampala, but are significantly more expensive than in the States. Most conveniences for personal needs are available in the “supermarkets” of Jinja, which might be compared to “Mom and Pop” grocery stores that carry a little of whatever you might need- for a price.

The Ugandan shilling has been ranging from 1600-1700/dollar. Only crisp $100 bills, less than five years old, are accepted for exchange. International ATM’s are quite few. In Jinja there is only one we are aware of which accepts ATM debit cards- for a minor fee of course! Few businesses accept credit or debit cards, or travelers checks. There are, however, Western Union offices.

Uganda follows the British example of driving on the left side of the road—when a side is chosen. The streets of Kampala are jammed with cars going every which direction. Little attention seems to be given to traffic lights or the “rules of the road”. The sidewalks of the city are bustling and crowded with pedestrians. As is common in developing countries, many people travel by foot. There is an effective, if crowded, public transport system of buses and motorbike taxis. Jinja is smaller and much more relaxed.

Uganda has substantial natural resources, including fertile soil, regular rainfall, and sizable mineral deposits of copper and cobalt. Agriculture is the most important sector of the economy, employing over 80% of those who are employed, with coffee and sugar cane accounting for the bulk of export revenues. Outside the capitol, most Ugandans live in rural areas where subsistence agriculture is the major source of food and income.

The local food staple in Uganda is Maze. Breakfast is most often maze or millet porridge, and lunch is usually Posho and beans. Posho has the consistency of dough, and is eaten with your fingers. Matoki (cooked bananas) is also a staple of the Ugandan diet. On special occasions, meat (beef, goat, or chicken) is added along with rice. Fish is available near the water. Fruits (bananas, mangoes, pineapple, avocado, papaya, tomatoes), vegetables (cabbage, onions, garlic, carrots, greens, sweet potatoes) and legumes (beans, peanuts, cowpeas) are also readily available. Protein is available in the right seasons—white ants and grasshoppers. 

Uganda is home to many different ethnic groups, none of whom form a majority of the population. Over forty different languages are currently used in the country. English became the official language of Uganda after independence. The most widely spoken language in Uganda is Luganda, spoken predominantly in the urban concentrations of Kampala, the capital city.

Ugandans are very warm, friendly, and extremely polite. The children will be especially excited to see you, to talk to you, and to hold your hand. As you walk down the street, expect to hear shouts of “Buzungu, Buzungu!” from the children. You can bless their young lives with a simple smile and a kind greeting. As you treat them with love and respect you will be blessed beyond imagination.