Uganda Informative Slideshow

The current government runs through a parliament called the National Assembly, which is made up of representatives from different geographical and demographical areas of the country.

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Most Ugandan ethnic heritage originates from the Nilotic North, and the Bantu South; however, of these, most remain part of the Ganda population. There are around 32 languages spoken with English and Swahili as the most commonly used. Most of the population is considered Christian, with the rest mostly belonging to Muslim faiths.

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A large plateau that drops gradually to the lakes surrounds much of the country. There are multiple natural barriers such as mountains, rivers, and lakes that helped to protect the land from foreign invasion. These natural surroundings have allowed for agriculture to become a primary source of the economy. Farms, forests and fisheries are main exports for the country, especially coffee and cotton.

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Much of the Ugandan region’s history is closely associated with that of the neighboring countries. The people there were originally called Bantu, and were mostly made up of villages of hunters/gatherers. Arab traders came to this region to trade throughout the middle ages, but the region didn’t have an official name until British explorers came in the early 1800s while in search for the source of the Nile River, which begins in Uganda.

The British charted the Imperial British East Africa Company to deal with trade agreements around that region until the late 1800s when it went out of business and the Ugandan Protectorate was established after the territory was annexed along with a few others into the province of Uganda.

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A colony with trade routes was established that later led to widespread disease and illnesses such as the bubonic plague and the “sleeping sickness.” The country gained independence from Britain in 1962 as part of the Commonwealth of Nations. They elected a prime minister and established a republican form of government.

Between 1971 and 1979, a military coup led by General Amin seized control of the country and reigned tyrannically while carrying out mass killings to maintain his rule. His rule ended as Tanzanian forces invaded Uganda as part of the Uganda - Tanzanian war.

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Starting in the mid 1980s, Museveni and his forces toppled the previous regime and swore him in as president of Uganda, a position he has held up to the present day. He and his followers have led the country to where it is today, often through dictatorship and force. Though he and his party were commended for the Uganda’s economic success, they have been criticized for its atrocities during the second war of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

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Though Museveni and his forces stay within international law by holding elections for the country, there are accusations of the results being rigged in his favor, and still struggles to deal with rebels and violent hate groups throughout the country.

The Ugandan government has been under fire more recently in years as human rights violations are committed (child labor), anti-homosexual laws remain in force, attacks on political freedom and press continue, and forced deportation of refugees and immigrants occur. Despite its economic growth and stability, Uganda remains as one of the poorest nations in the world.

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The flag of Uganda sports a tri-color striped theme of black, red and yellow, representing the people of Uganda, the sunshine, and the brotherhood. To avoid confusion or using a symbol that would be associated with any other particular area of Africa, the British chose the crane as the main symbol on the flag, a symbol that later appeared on the British coat of arms for a time. The crane was placed on a white disk in the center of the flag in front of the colors.

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Uganda is divided up into 112 districts, which are also subdivided into counties and sub-counties.

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This is an annual festival celebrating the diverse cultures throughout the country. It often is associated with music, poetry, art, and dancing. This is often a time to praise peace, advocate for women’s rights, education, and raise awareness on the HIV/AIDS epidemic sweeping the country today.

On the Ugandan Independence Day, the people commemorate the day the country received its independence from Britain.

Because the majority of the population is Christian, Christmas and Easter are popular holidays in the country, particularly in urban centers.