REPUBLIC OF UGANDA

GENERAL INFORMATION
VIDEO COMPILATION
PHOTO GALLERY

1. GENERAL INFORMATION

Uganda is also nick named the Pearl of Africa — Nature, Culture, and the Shadow of Idi Amin

Uganda is a country of remarkable contrasts. Abundant wildlife, welcoming communities, yet Uganda’s modern history also contains one of Africa’s darkest chapters: the brutal dictatorship of Idi Amin from 1971 to 1979.To understand Uganda fully, it is important to see both sides of its story—the extraordinary natural and cultural heritage that attracts overlanders visitors today, and the painful history that continues to shape the country’s collective memory.

Uganda is a landlocked country in East Africa, situated around the equator. It shares borders with Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The capital and largest city is Kampala.

Uganda has a population of about 50 million people. The country lies partly within the Lake Victoria basin and has an unusually rich combination of lakes, rivers, forests, savannas, wetlands, and mountains. English and Swahili are official languages, while Luganda and many other local languages are widely spoken. Uganda is home to numerous cultural communities and historic kingdoms, including the Kingdom of Buganda, from which the country’s name is derived.

Tourist Highlights of Uganda

Uganda offers an impressive variety of experiences, from mountain gorilla trekking to traditional safaris and cultural tourism.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

One of Uganda’s most famous attractions is Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, one of the world’s best-known destinations for mountain gorilla trekking. Walking through the dense forest in search of a gorilla family can be an unforgettable experience. You find yourselve only a short distance from these remarkable animals while trained guides explain their behaviour and the importance of conservation.

Murchison Falls National Park

Murchison Falls National Park is one of Uganda’s great safari destinations. The Nile River passes through a narrow gorge before plunging dramatically over the falls.The park provides great opportunities to bush camp and see elephants, lions, giraffes, hippos, crocodiles, buffalo and many species of birds. Boat trips along the Nile with the locals are an must do.

Queen Elizabeth National Park

Queen Elizabeth National Park is another major attraction. Its combination of savanna, forests, lakes and wetlands supports a wide range of wildlife.

Ovrlanders have the opportunity to use your own vehicle to drive around and bush camp and get a local to take you out for a boat trip. The park is particularly famous for its tree-climbing lions in the Ishasha sector and for the wildlife found around the Kazinga Channel.

Kibale Forest

For overlanders interested in primates, Kibale Forest National Park is a highlight. The forest is particularly famous for chimpanzee tracking, but it also supports numerous other primate species.

Kidepo Valley National Park

In Uganda’s remote northeast lies Kidepo Valley National Park, an area of dramatic scenery and relatively isolated wilderness.Its broad valleys, mountains and dry savanna landscapes provide a different experience from Uganda’s greener southern and western regions. Kidepo is known as a classic African wilderness experience combined with opportunities for cultural interaction and bush camping.

Other highlights are, Rwenzori Mountains, Lake Victoria

The Rwenzori Mountains, sometimes called the Mountains of the Moon, offer spectacular scenery and challenging trekking opportunities.

Lake Victoria, shared by Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania, is another defining feature of the country. Around Kampala and Entebbe, the lake provides opportunities for boat trips, fishing, relaxation, camping and exploring islands.

Idi Amin and Uganda’s Years of Terror

Behind today’s tourism industry lies a history that should not be forgotten.

Idi Amin seized power in a military coup on January 25, 1971, overthrowing President Milton Obote. At first, some Ugandans welcomed the coup, particularly those who had become dissatisfied with Obote’s government. That optimism quickly disappeared as Amin established an increasingly violent military dictatorship. Amin created security organizations that reported directly to him, including the Public Safety Unit and the State Research Bureau. Together with the military police and other forces, these organizations were responsible for widespread killings, disappearances, torture and persecution.

Central Uganda

Human Rights Watch cites estimates that between 100,000 and 500,000 Ugandans were killed during Amin’s rule. The exact number remains uncertain. The period was characterized by systematic and widespread violence. Among those murdered were prominent political, religious and intellectual figures, including Chief Justice Benedicto Kiwanuka and Anglican Archbishop Janani Luwum. Amin’s government also targeted particular ethnic and political groups. Thousands of Acholi and Langi soldiers were killed or disappeared after Amin came to power, while political opponents and suspected opponents faced imprisonment, torture and execution.

One of the most consequential decisions of Amin’s rule came in 1972, when he ordered the expulsion of tens of thousands of Ugandan Asians. Human Rights Watch reports that approximately 70,000 people of Asian origin were affected by the expulsion and that their businesses and property were confiscated.Many of those expelled were citizens of Uganda whose families had lived in the country for generations. They were suddenly forced to leave their homes, businesses and communities. Amin’s rule eventually collapsed after Uganda’s military conflict with Tanzania. In 1978, Amin’s forces attempted to annex Tanzanian territory. Tanzania responded militarily, working alongside Ugandan opponents of Amin.In April 1979, Amin’s government fell, and he fled the country. He eventually settled in Saudi Arabia, where he lived in exile until his death in 2003. He never faced trial for the atrocities committed during his rule.

Remembering the Past While Looking Toward the Future

For overlanders, Uganda offers encounters with mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, elephants, lions, hippos and hundreds of bird species. The Uganda Wildlife Authority currently manages 10 national parks, 12 wildlife reserves and 7 wildlife sanctuaries, Uganda is a country of extraordinary beauty and complexity. From the misty forests of Bwindi and the peaks of the Rwenzori Mountains to the Nile at Murchison Falls and the savannas of Queen Elizabeth and Kidepo Valley, its natural attractions and commitment to International Tourism are remarkable.