Uganda is a landlocked country in East Africa that borders Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Democratic Republic of Congo, and Sudan. Here the East African Savannah meets the West African rainforests. Uganda is the source of the Nile River, the home of the highest mountain range in Africa, and home to the highest concentration of primates on the planet. ELI programs in Uganda are based in Iganga Town, about three hours east of Kampala. Iganga is a sleepy place, but a perfect choice for those who wish to experience authentic African town life. Uganda is tropical with two dry seasons December through February and June through August.

Present day Uganda is just west of the Rift Valley, known as the cradle of humanity, where traces of hominids dating back millions of years have been found. Not much is known about Uganda’s pre-colonial history. Hundreds of human migrations have shaped its people and created the rich tribal mosaic that exists today. Over 36 languages are spoken in Uganda, and 17 major tribes call the country home. The first foreigners to arrive here were Arab traders and explorers in the 1800s. The British arrived in the late 1800s, and after signing treaties with the Buganda, Bunyoro, Toro, and Ankole, they declared Uganda a British protectorate. UgandaKenya and Tanzania did, so Ugandan nationalist movements started much later than in other African countries. The British ruled indirectly through the Baganda chiefs, preserving the local culture but creating resentment in other tribes. never experienced a large influx of white settlers the way

In 1962 Dr. Milton Obote led Uganda to independence, becoming Uganda’s first Prime Minister. The Buganda kabaka (king), Edward Muteesa II, became the first president. In 1966, Obote ordered his army chief of staff, Idi Amin, to search the kabaka’s palace for weapons. The search turned violent, and Muteesa fled to England where he died in poverty a few years later. After the coup, Obote rewrote the constitution to give himself more power and moved to nationalize foreign assets. In 1971, while Obote attended the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Singapore, Idi Amin seized power and began his reign of terror, becoming one of Africa’s most notorious “Big Men”. Under Amin, nearly half a million people were butchered. Amin’s men targeted the Acholi and Lango tribes as well as the professional classes. In 1972, Amin gave the Asian (primarily Indian) population 90 days to evacuate Uganda. Many of the Asians were the descendants of coolies brought in by the British to help build the Uganda Railway. Amin seized the property the Asians left behind and spent the money on himself and weapons for the military. The economy completely collapsed, all infrastructure fell apart, and inflation hit 1000%. Soldiers machine gunned wildlife for meat, ivory, leather, and furs once the Ugandan treasury no longer had the funds to pay the soldiers. Tribes began to fight and the country fell into complete chaos. Searching for a diversion to occupy the increasingly restless army, Amin ordered the invasion of Tanzania in 1978. The Tanzanian People’s Defence Force and Uganda National Liberation Army took Kampala in April 1979. Amin fled to Libya and ultimately ended up in Saudi Arabia where he died in 2003.

After Amin’s departure, Uganda was left in absolute chaos. The Tanzanian soldiers who remained in Uganda to help maintain the peace ran wild after not receiving pay for months on end. Food ran out, hospitals closed, and armed groups of bandits fought ongoing turf wars throughout Uganda. In 1980, Obote returned from exile in Tanzania and became president. Many believed the presidential elections were rigged and started a guerilla rebellion, giving rise to the National Resistance Army (NRA). Obote immediately went to work consolidating power. All international journalists were expelled from the country and reports of atrocities and mass killings trickled out of Uganda. In 1985, Obote was overthrown by Tito Okello. Yoweri Museveni led the NRA to overthrow Okello in 1986. Museveni became president and began the process of rebuilding with the goals of ending corruption in the government and the military along with bringing those responsible for the atrocities to justice. By the late 1980s, Museveni had negotiated peace agreements with most of the guerilla groups in Uganda. The 1990s brought a period of relative prosperity and rapid economic growth despite the civil wars raging in the countries surrounding Uganda. Although the Ugandan people faced incredible challenges during the years of terror and bloodshed followed by the raging HIV/AIDS epidemic, Ugandans tend to be very positive and spirited as well as some of the friendliest people in Africa.

Quick Facts

Official Country Name: Republic of Uganda

Size: 236,040 km², slightly smaller than Oregon

Population: 30,262,600

Government: republic

Currency: Ugandan Shilling, currently US $1 is about 1700 Uganda Shillings

Official Languages: English and Luganda