Africa A to Z: Continental and Country Profiles: Third Edition

Uganda

COUNTRY PROFILES A-Z 396 Africa A-Z: Continental and Country Profiles | Africa Institute of South Africa Uganda Orientation Uganda is a landlocked country located in East Africa bordering Sudan on the north, Kenya on the east and Tanzania and Rwanda on the south. The Democratic Republic of Congo lies to the west. Uganda is much smaller than its neighbours; with a population of about 23 million and a surface area of 241 000 km2 , which includes some 44 000 km2 of inland water, including much of Lake Victoria. The country has an equatorial climate with ample rainfall throughout the year, and good conditions for the cultivation of food and cash crops in most areas. The mighty Nile River rises in Lake Victoria and flows through Uganda on its way north. The national capital of Kampala lies on the equator that cuts across the north bank of Lake Victoria. People The majority of the population consists of Bantu-speakers in the south (almost two-thirds of the total) and Nilotic groups in the north. The main Bantu groups consist of the Ganda (largest tribe), Soga, Nkole, Toro, Chiga, Gisu, Gwere and Nyole. The major Nilotic groups are Acholi, Langi, Karamojong, Teso, Madi and Kakawa. English and Swahili are the two main languages, but the most widely spoken indigenous language is Luganda (the language of the Baganda). As far as religion goes 75% of the population are Christians, with Roman Catholics in the majority and growing Muslim and Hindu minorities. Only about 14% of the people live in urban areas. Kampala is the largest city with a population of over 1.5 million. The other towns are much smaller, with populations around -100 000. Economy Agriculture and fishing are by far the most important sectors accounting for 44% of the GDP (agriculture accounts for 42%) and employing more than 80% of the working population. This is mainly because of the fairly arable land along the Victoria Nile area and the vibrant fishing community along the shores of Lake Victoria. Extensive coffee cultivation takes place in the higher lying areas. The country is self-sufficient in food production; peasant farmers supply the bulk of the export crops, with food crops and livestock accounting for 80% of agriculture’s contribution to the GDP. Mining is not a major industry in Uganda, though small-scale production of gold currently provides the second largest foreign exchange earner after coffee, which COUNTRY PROFILES A-Z Africa Institute of South Africa | Africa A-Z: Continental and Country Profiles 397 accounts for 30– 60% of export value depending on prices. Manufacturing focuses on processing of agricultural produce and import-substituting items, such as textiles, cement, soap, plastic and metal products. Unlike Kenya and Tanzania, Uganda’s tourism industry is not booming and instead has experienced decline in the past three years as a result of terrorist operations from Sudan and the DRC. History The early communities in what is now known as Uganda were hunter-gatherers and fisher folk. These two groups consisted of Nilotes from the north (what is now known as Sudan) and Bantu-speaking groups from the west. Subsequent centuries saw mixing and inter-marriage between Bantu and Nilotes. A powerful centralised kingdom emerged from Kitara, later known as Bunyoro, whose ruling dynasties came from the Chwezi descendants of the Nilotic immigrants. There was also strong influence from Bantu-speaking groups, notably the Baganda in the Buganda kingdom on the northwestern shores of Lake Victoria and the Nkole in the Ankole kingdom, east of Lake Edward. The first outsiders to penetrate the region were Arab traders looking for ivory and slaves; Portuguese traders came as early as the 16th century. Colonial rule began during the 19th century scramble for Africa; Uganda came under British control following territorial agreements with Germany in 1886 and 1890. British indirect rule retained privileges of the indigenous rulers and Uganda COUNTRY PROFILES A-Z 398 Africa A-Z: Continental and Country Profiles | Africa Institute of South Africa used poll tax and hut tax (like everywhere in Africa) to draw farmers into the formal economy. The fertile land in the Victoria Nile valley attracted a lot of settlers and a classical colonial economy based on exports of cotton, coffee and rubber was developed. The successful farming led to the immigration of Asians to help with the building of the railway from the coast; the...