Terrain

Uganda is located at an average altitude of 1,000 m above sea level. Diversity is characteristic of the country's terrain. The land varies from the plateau region in the north-west to semi-desert in the north-east, extensive rainforests and marshlands in the south, and mountains in the far east. Uganda's highest peak, Margherita Peak (5,109 m), is located in the Ruwenzori Mountains in the south-west.


Climate

Due to its altitude, Uganda has a mild and temperate climate. The hottest months are from December to February, when temperatures reach a maximum of 29°C. The rainy seasons in the south last from April to May and October to November; the wettest month is April. In the north, the wet season lasts from April to October.


Fauna/Flora

The national parks and wildlife reserves are generally very well kept, and conditions are ideal for Uganda's 992 bird species and 338 mammal species. The largest number of primates in the world live in Kibale National Park, while Bwindi National Park is one of the last remaining habitats of the mountain gorillas. The plains provide a suitable habitat for rhinoceroses, elephants, lions and leopards. About 25% of Uganda is fertile, with a highly diverse flora comprising mvuli trees, dry thorn shrubs, papyrus, lianas and parasite plants.


History/Politics

In Uganda, archaeological evidence of urban civilizations of Bantu and Nilotic origin dates back to the 10th century AD. These tribes merged to found the Bunyoro Kingdom. Between the 17th and 18th centuries, groups subject to Bunyoro rule established the breakaway kingdoms of Buganda, Busole, and Ankole. The fight for dominance was inevitable and by the 19th century, Bunyoro had to cede power to the Buganda Kingdom. Given its powerful army and stable society with a solid economy based on livestock breeding, Buganda was in a position to maintain its regional autonomy throughout the 19th century.

British explorer Henry M. Stanley reached the area in 1875 and immediately informed the British Crown of the tremendous advance of Islam in the region and King Mutesa I's interest in inviting European missionaries. Missionaries (both Catholic and Protestant) soon arrived and ended up dividing the court into rival factions, which served European interests. By the late 1890s, the territory had finally become a British protectorate. The colonial administrators adopted a policy of indirect rule based on a centralized administrative system for the federation of kingdoms, which retained a certain amount of autonomy. The new colonial order imposed by the British led to a series of changes in the local political and economic structures. However, the first independence movements did not develop until the 1950s.

Uganda became independent in 1962. Mutesa II of the Buganda tribe was appointed king and Milton Obote became prime minister. Obote dethroned and exiled the king in 1966, abolished the monarchy, proclaimed a new constitution and declared himself first president of the republic. The economic crisis in the country led to a bloody military coup in 1971 when Obote was ousted by Idi Amin Dada, who established a military dictatorship and declared himself president for life.

Uganda's economy suffered a major setback under his leadership; political terror resulted in the expulsion of 70,000 Asians and claimed the lives of 300,000 Ugandans. At the end of 1978, Uganda went to war with Tanzania. However, Tanzanian forces and Ugandan opposition groups ousted Idi Amin and forced him to leave the country. Obote was re-elected president in 1980 but was ousted by opposition guerrillas in 1986. After several months of armed conflict, he was succeeded by Yoweri Musaveni, who was confirmed in office in the 1996 and 2001 elections. In 2001, Uganda signed a peace agreement with Rwanda, and in 2002, after five years of negotiations, an agreement was signed with the Uganda National Rescue Front. However, it was also in 2002 that the guerrilla group LRA (Lord's Resistance Army) began its activities in the country. This group systematically abducted thousands of Ugandan children. Although one of the LRA leaders was arrested in 2005, there is still no sign of any peace agreement being made.


Economy

Uganda has substantial natural resources, such as deposits of copper and cobalt, as well as fertile plains. Agriculture is the largest sector of the economy, employing over 80% of the work force. Coffee is the most important export product and is Uganda's main source of revenue. Other important export products are sugar, cotton, tea, textiles and tobacco. Mining and manufacturing are of minor importance, the most important industry being the processing of agricultural products. The inflation rate was 6.1% in 2003.


Culture

Each tribe has its own musical history; songs are passed down from generation to generation. The Ndigindi (lyre), entongoli (harp), amadinda (xylophone) and lukeme (thumb piano) are common instruments in Uganda. A member of the Acholi tribe, Okot p'Bitek (1931-1982), was one of Uganda's most famous poets. His book "Song of Lawino" (1966) was written in the style of traditional tribal lyrics.