The Top Ten Things You Should Know About Uganda
OCTOBER 2, 2023
THE TOP TEN THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT UGANDA
10. Uganda is a landlocked country located in East Africa. It borders South Sudan to the north, Kenya to the east, Tanzania to the south, Rwanda to the southwest, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west.
9. Uganda gained independence from British colonial rule on October 9, 1962. It is a national holiday marked by celebrations and cultural performances. It is a day for festivities and reflection on the country's progress and challenges since attaining independence.
8. Being landlocked has significant effects on the Ugandan economy. It increases transportation costs, as Uganda relies on neighboring countries to access seaports, resulting in higher import and export expenses and vulnerability to trade disruptions. To address these challenges, Uganda has invested in infrastructure development, diversifying its economy, and participating in economic integration initiatives to reduce reliance on traditional trade routes and promote sustainable economic growth.
7. The Uganda Equator is one of Uganda's most well-known landmarks. Along the imaginary line of the equator, a magnetic needle has no dip and stabilizes in a perfect horizontal position. You can stand with one of your feet in the northern hemisphere and the other in the southern hemisphere.
6. Most Ugandans are Christians, with a significant Muslim minority. Traditional indigenous religions also play a role in the country's religious landscape. Religion serves as a source of spiritual guidance and plays a role in shaping Ugandan identities, values, and traditions. Religious leaders often play influential roles in addressing societal issues, such as education, healthcare, and social justice.
5. Agriculture is a major contributor to Uganda's economy, with coffee, tea, maize, and sugarcane being important crops. The country has also seen growth in industries such as tourism and telecommunications.
4. The literacy rate in Uganda has been increasing since 2016 and is at 76%. 91% of children ages 6-12 attend school, but this percentage drops to 23% when students reach 19-24. This drop in attendance can be attributed to the high costs of secondary school and university and the need for older children to work and help support their families.
3. 21% of Ugandan households are classified as poor. About 44% of households are considered vulnerable to falling into poverty in the face of a damaging setback– even though they are not living below the poverty line. These setbacks can vary from natural disasters and weather events that negatively impact agricultural incomes, health crises, or political and regional instability.
2. Uganda is famous for its rich biodiversity. It is home to various wildlife, including mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, lions, elephants, and numerous bird species. It has several national parks and wildlife reserves and is one of the few countries where you can go gorilla trekking to see endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat.
1. The total population of Uganda is approximately 42.9 million. It has one of the youngest populations of any country globally, with 44% of its citizens under 14. This presents an opportunity to invest in education and health so that the soon-to-be working-age population will have the skills and health necessary to be fully productive and contribute to the country's development.
Sources
The Ugandan Bureau of Statistics
The Ugandan National Household Survey 2019/2020