Uganda is a landlocked country in East Africa. It is bordered by Kenya to the east, South Sudan to the north, the Democratic Republic of Congo to the west, Rwanda to the southwest, and Tanzania to the south. The southern part of Uganda includes a significant portion of Lake Victoria, which it shares with Kenya and Tanzania. The country derives its name from the Buganda kingdom, which encompasses the southern region, including the capital, Kampala.
Area: Uganda covers a total area of 236,040 square kilometers (91,136 square miles), with 36,330 square kilometers (14,027 square miles) being inland water.
Climate: Despite being on the equator, Uganda enjoys a warm rather than hot climate, with minimal temperature variation throughout the year. Most of the country receives an annual rainfall of at least 100 cm (40 inches). Entebbe, for example, has an average annual rainfall of 162 cm (64 inches), while the northeast receives about 69 cm (27 inches). Temperature varies by altitude; on Lake Albert, the mean annual maximum is 29°C (84°F) and the mean annual minimum is 22°C (72°F). In Kabale, located 1,250 meters (4,100 feet) higher, the mean annual maximum is 23°C (73°F) and the mean annual minimum is 10°C (50°F). In Kampala, these extremes are 27°C (81°F) and 17°C (63°F).
Terrain: Uganda’s terrain is diverse, ranging from the low-lying Lake Albert at 621 meters above sea level to the towering Mount Rwenzori at 5,110 meters.
Natural Resources: Uganda has small deposits of copper, cobalt, iron ore, limestone, and salt, as well as less viable fields of tungsten, beryl, columbo-tantalite, gold, bismuth, tin, limestone, and phosphates.
Water Resources: Uganda’s annual internal renewable water resources are 1,829 cubic meters per capita (as of 1998). Sector withdrawals are divided into domestic (32%), industrial (8%), and agricultural (60%).
Land: The conditions for cultivating food and cash crops are favorable in most areas. Over 75% of the land is available for cultivation or pasture, with large areas under-utilized, including up to three-quarters of the arable potential.
Population: As of 2023, Uganda has an estimated population of approximately 47 million people.
Ethnic Groups: Uganda is ethnically diverse, with the largest groups being Baganda (17%), Ankole (8%), Basoga (8%), Iteso (8%), Bakiga (7%), Langi (6%), Rwanda (6%), Bagisu (5%), Acholi (4%), Lugbara (4%), Batoro (3%), Bunyoro (3%), Alur (2%), Bagwere (2%), Bakonjo (2%), Jopodhola (2%), Karamojong (2%), Rundi (2%), non-African (European, Asian, Arab) (1%), and others (8%).
Languages: English is the official national language. Bantu languages, particularly Luganda, are widespread. Nilotic languages are common in the north and northeast, and Central Sudanic languages are found in the northwest. Kiswahili and Arabic are also widely spoken.
Environmental Issues: Uganda faces several environmental challenges, including the draining of wetlands for agricultural use, deforestation, overgrazing, soil erosion, and widespread poaching. The country is a party to various international agreements on biodiversity, climate change, desertification, endangered species, hazardous wastes, the law of the sea, marine life conservation, nuclear test bans, and ozone layer protection.