Uganda – ‘the Pearl of Africa’

Uganda, an East African country, sits on the equator. It is landlocked by Kenya, Sudan, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda and Tanzania. The size of Uganda is almost identical to that of the UK, with a population of approximately 24.7 million.

The landscape of Uganda is mainly flat (albeit at 400 feet!) and is dominated by Lake Victoria, the Victoria Nile and Albert Nile.

The Njeru region, where NVI is situated, is close to Lake Victoria on the opposite side of the Victoria Nile to Jinja, the second largest town in Uganda. Jinja is widely known as the home of the ‘Source of the Nile’ where the Victoria Nile begins its long and winding journey to Egypt.

The main produce of Uganda is coffee, tea, cotton, tobacco, cassava, millet, beef, goat meat, and poultry. Coffee is Uganda's main export.

English is the official language, whilst Luganda and Swahili are widely spoken alongside other native languages. Two thirds of the population is Christian and the rest are equally split between Muslim & indigenous beliefs.

Uganda Map

Uganda – a brief history

The Kingdom of ‘Buganda’ became a British protectorate in 1894. This was initially a vague arrangement, with little authority over northern regions, however this ‘rule’ gave Ugandans more autonomy than other parts of British ruled Africa, and the British are still treated with great affection.

In the 1950’s there were calls for Uganda to become independent, and in 1962 the Prime Minister, Milton Obote lead Uganda to independence. Just 4 years later Obote stripped Mutese of the presidency and set himself up as the Life President and declared Uganda a Republic. Stability and power were maintained through unlawful and forceful means.
In 1971, whilst absent abroad, Obote's chief army commander mounted a military coup – Uganda gained a new president – Idi Amin.

Amin was born of Christian and Muslim parents, he was poorly educated and barely literate. He rose through the ranks of the army under Obote and became a vicious killer.

Initially Amin was popular after the brutal regime of Obote, he promised peace and new hope. However in 1972 he expelled all Asians from Uganda, commandeering their money for state use. Although Ugandans welcomed this move as they resented Asian business dominance, it proved to be an economic disaster.

Amin’s reign deteriorated into a brutal reign of terror and it is believed that 300,000 Ugandans were tortured to death in his bid to maintain total power. Uganda’s economy, industry, medical services, roads and infrastructure all collapsed and much of the wildlife was killed. As Amin’s popularity faded he attempted to bring unity by declaring war on Tanzania. Amin was driven out in 1979, to Libya and later to Saudi Arabia, where he died in 2003.

In 1980, during a corrupt election, Obote returned to power. His brutality was now worse than his predecessor and a further 100,000 lost their lives over the following six years. Tito Okello overthrew Obote in a bloodless coup, but shortly after Yoweri Museveni, with his National Resistance Movement, became president.

Museveni took on a beaten and brutalised country that had only known terror, disruption and deprivation. Since the election of Museveni, Uganda has become more stable and shown slow economic growth. Corruption is slowly being tackled, tourism is being developed and the Asians are being encouraged to return.

Uganda still has an image problem, it is synonymous with Amin and AIDS.

Uganda is a beautiful country with a delightful climate and very friendly people. Although Uganda cannot boast the big game of its neighbours, it does have the most beautiful array of birds in Africa. Tourism is beginning to grow and there is great potential.

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