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Uganda Facts & Worksheets

Uganda, officially named the Republic of Uganda, is a landlocked country in East-Central Africa.

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Uganda, officially named the Republic of Uganda, is a landlocked country in East-Central Africa. Uganda is populated by dozens of ethnic groups wherein the English language and Christianity help unite these diverse peoples, who come together in the cosmopolitan capital of Kampala.

See the fact file below for more information on the Uganda or alternatively, you can download our 22-page Uganda worksheet pack to utilise within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

DESCRIPTION

  • It is bordered to the east by Kenya, to the north by South Sudan, to the west by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, to the south-west by Rwanda, and to the south by Tanzania.
  • Uganda is located in the African Great Lakes region and also lies within the Nile basin. It has a varied but generally a modified equatorial climate.
  • Uganda is abundant in wildlife creatures, which include chimpanzees as well as rare birds. Remote Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a renowned mountain gorilla sanctuary. Murchison Falls National Park in the northwest is known for its 43m-tall waterfall and wildlife such as hippos.
  • The official languages are English and Swahili, although “any other language may be used as a medium of instruction in schools or other educational institutions or for legislative, administrative or judicial purposes as may be prescribed by law.”
  • Currently, the president of Uganda is Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, who came to power in January 1986 after a protracted six-year guerrilla war. He has since eliminated the presidential term limits and the presidential age limit. Due to the nature of Ugandan politics, this effectively makes him president for life.

GEOGRAPHY

  • The country is located on the East African Plateau, which lies across the equator, is divided into three main areas—swampy lowlands, a fertile plateau with wooded hills, and a desert region. Lake Victoria forms part of the southern border.
  • Most important cities are located in the south, near this lake, including the capital Kampala and the nearby city of Entebbe.

HISTORY

  • Way back 500 B.C., Bantu-speaking peoples migrated to the area now called Uganda.
  • In the 14th century, three kingdoms dominated in Uganda – the Buganda (meaning “state of the Gandas”), Bunyoro, and Ankole.
  • Uganda was first traversed by Europeans as well as Arab traders in 1844.
  • An Anglo-German agreement in 1890 declared it to be in the British sphere of influence in Africa, and the Imperial British East Africa Company was chartered to develop the area. The company did not prosper financially, and in 1894, a British protectorate was proclaimed.
  • A small number of Europeans permanently settled in Uganda, but it attracted many Indians, who became important players in Ugandan commerce.
  • Uganda successfully became an independent country on October 9, 1962.
  • Sir Edward Mutesa, the king of Buganda (Mutesa II), was elected as the first president, and Milton Obote as the first prime minister, of the newly independent country.
  • With the help of Col. Idi Amin, Prime Minister Obote seized control of the government from President Mutesa four years later.
  • On Jan. 25, 1971, Colonel Amin overthrew President Obote. Obote went into exile in Tanzania.
  • Amin expelled Asian residents and set in motion a reign of terror against Ugandan opponents, torturing and killing tens of thousands of people.
  • In 1976, he proclaimed himself the “President for Life.” It was also recorded that in 1977, Amnesty International estimated that 300,000 may have died under his rule, including church leaders and recalcitrant cabinet ministers.
  • After Amin held military exercises on the Tanzanian border in 1978, angering Tanzania’s president, Julius Nyerere, a combined force of Tanzanian troops and Ugandan exiles loyal to former president Obote invaded Uganda and chased Amin into exile in Saudi Arabia in 1979.
  • After a series of temporary administrations, President Obote led his People’s Congress Party to victory in the 1980 elections, where opponents formed a guerilla army (named National Resistance Army) to fight him as the election was rigged.
  • Finally, in 1986, the National Resistance Army took over all of Uganda, except for parts of the north and the political stability of economic growth began again in Uganda. During the 1990s, Uganda prospered.
  • Yoweri Museveni, the new president, refused to allow political parties until 2005.
  • At present, Uganda is still mainly an agricultural country and its main export is coffee. The economy of Uganda is steadily growing and there is always a reason to be optimistic about its future. Currently, the population of Uganda is 39 million.

CLIMATE

  • Uganda has a warm tropical climate with temperatures estimatedly ranging from 25-29 degree celsius, except in the mountainous areas, such as the top of Mount Elgon, which is often covered with snow.
  • The hottest months are from December to February.

ECONOMY

  • Uganda’s economy is based on agricultural, where it occupies some four-fifths of the working population.
  • Uganda’s moderate climate is especially congenial to the production of both livestock and crops.
  • Livestock include cattle, both indigenous varieties and those known as exotics (mainly Friesians), including the experimental crossbreeds, sheep, goats, pigs, chickens, ducks, and turkeys. There have been several projects to introduce rabbits. Cattle ranching has been encouraged in the western region of the country.
  • Dairy farming, such as pasteurized and “long-life” milk, butter, yogurt, and cheeses, is another expanding sector.
  • Fishing holds considerable potential for the country as rivers and lakes cover 20 percent of Uganda.

UGANDAN CULTURAL FACTS

  • Ugandans are the most welcoming and friendly people in Africa, according to the African Economist.
  • Ugandans are the most ethnically Diverse Country in the world.
  • Christians and Muslims live harmoniously in Uganda.
  • Baganda women, girls, and young boys will kneel when greeting as a symbol of respect.
  • At a burial of a Ugandan man, you will have the formally acknowledged wife, and others might present with children in tow.
  • Weddings are distinguished in two parts – the introduction of the groom, basically includes the bride’s price and negotiations, then, the wedding itself.
  • Uganda is composed of a diverse cultural heritage expressed through arts and performances, social norms, languages, marriage ceremonies, indigenous knowledge systems of nature and environment, music, and dances.
  • The gentlemen in Uganda wear a kanzu, which is a white or cream-colored robe that touches the ground. We refer to them as tunics. The ladies wear a dress called a gomesi with a sash tied around their waists, and gomesis on their shoulders which exaggerates their shoulders (much like shoulder pads). The ladies who arrive from the west drape a long cloth around their waists, called suuka.

Uganda Worksheets

This is a fantastic bundle which includes everything you need to know about the Uganda across 22 in-depth pages. These are ready-to-use Uganda worksheets that are perfect for teaching students about the Uganda, officially named the Republic of Uganda, which is a landlocked country in East-Central Africa. Uganda is populated by dozens of ethnic groups wherein the English language and Christianity help unite these diverse peoples, who come together in the cosmopolitan capital of Kampala.

Complete List Of Included Worksheets

  • Uganda Facts
  • Uganda Profile Page
  • Significant Events
  • The Borders
  • Puzzle Time
  • My Favorite In Uganda
  • Presidents of Uganda
  • Visit Uganda
  • Uganda Daily News
  • Your Recipe is the Best
  • A Friendly Letter

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Link will appear as Uganda Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com - KidsKonnect, February 24, 2020

Use With Any Curriculum

These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.

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