Uganda

I

Introduction

Uganda, landlocked republic, eastern Africa, bordered on the north by the Republic of Sudan, on the east by Kenya, on the south by Tanzania and Rwanda, and on the west by the Democratic Republic of the Congo. A former British protectorate, Uganda became a fully independent member of the Commonwealth of Nations on October 6, 1962. Uganda has an area of 241,038 sq km (93,065 sq mi). The capital of Uganda is Kampala.

II

Land and Resources

The land surface is diversified. About 85 per cent is an elevated plateau, draining into the centre to form Lake Kyoga. The main lowlands are located in the Rift Valley, which runs down the western side of Uganda, and contains lakes Edward and Albert. Mountains rise to snowy peaks in the Ruwenzori range on the south-west border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Uganda's highest mountain, Mount Stanley, with two peaks—Margherita Peak at 5,109 m (16,762 ft) and Mount Alexander at 5,105 m (16,750 ft)—is located there. There are also highlands on the eastern border with Kenya. The remainder of the country, about 5 per cent of the area, comprises land at between 1,500 m and 2,000 m (4,900-6,560 ft), inland of Lake Victoria, containing some of the most heavily populated areas. Much of the south is forested, and most of the north is covered with savannah.

A

Rivers and Lakes

Almost 20 per cent of the area of Uganda is open water. The country includes George and Kyoga lakes, and parts of the lakes Victoria, Edward, and Albert. These lakes and most of Uganda’s rivers form parts of the basin of the upper River Nile, which leaves Lake Victoria and flows to Nimule on the Sudan frontier.

B

Climate

Despite being a tropical country lying along the equator, Uganda normally has a mild, equable climate, mainly because of its relatively high altitude. The temperature ranges from about 15.6° to 29.4° C (60° to 85° F). There are two distinct rainy seasons: March to May, and September to November. The mean annual rainfall varies from some 760 mm (30 in) in the north-east to about 1,520 mm (60 in) near Lake Victoria.