Winston Churchill in his 1908 Book “My African Journey” called Uganda the Pearl of Africa because of its beauty, its natural wonders and its welcoming people. Uganda is indeed the Pearl of Africa basing on the following 10 reasons.
01. Uganda is the most friendly, safe, welcoming and joyous country in Africa
If you sought for one of the most courteous, visitor friendly, welcoming and loving people, you’ll find them in Uganda. The people of Uganda are so social and like hanging out and interacting with people of external cultures for different reasons ranging from; ideas, knowledge, intermarriages, Education, Adventures, business, dating and relationships among many more.
The different ethnic groups have different ways of hospitality when it comes to welcoming new people onto the Land. We do welcome guests in different languages but with almost similar hospitality.
Our Ethnic groups include: Baganda, Banyankole, Bahima, Bakiga, Banyarwanda, Bunyoro, Batoro, Langi, Acholi, Lugbara, Karamojong, Basoga, Bagisu, and others. The Baganda are the largest ethnic group in Uganda and comprise approximately 17% of the population
02. Uganda is a land of great beauty and fertile soils
Uganda as a country has abundant fertile soils across every region, its one reason why the country’s biggest back bone is Agriculture.
The country’s fertile soils are backed by a good natural weather which facilitates farming as most citizens depend on Agriculture for both domestic and cash crops.
The vast land of fertile soils is also blessed sweeping forests, mighty rivers and lakes. The infinite beauty has seen the country have a variety of evergreen forests thereby creating alpine environs on the edge of tropical landscapes.
03. Uganda is the source of the Nile
Uganda is mother to the vast longest river Nile in Africa with Lake Victoria as its main source. The Nile starts its 6,500 kilometre journey in Jinja to the Mediterranean Sea through Egypt.
The River Nile also holds the country’s biggest and oldest hydro-electricity plant – The Owen Falls Dam and the newly constructed world class cross over bridge that was launched in 2018.
04. Amazing Eco-Tourism sites
Uganda has the best Eco-tourism sites suitable for learning and taking on tours. Eco-tourism simply refers to responsible travel in a quiet environment or in an undisturbed areas. The country’s biggest eco-tourism sites include; Mabira Forest, River Ssezibwa, Ssese Islands, Kashoya Kitomi Forest Reserve, Budongo Forest Reserve, Mpanga Forest Reserve, Bigodi Wetland and Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary.
05. The Great Rift Valley occupies part of Western Uganda
The Great Rift Valley passes through the western part of Uganda which is composed of the Virunga. The volcanic Virunga Mountains rise to 13,540 feet (4,125 metres) at Mount Muhavura and includes Mount Sabinio which is close to 11,959 feet (Approximately 3,645 metres) where borders of Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda meet.
Further in the north, the Rwenzori range popularly believed to be Ptolemy’s mountains of the Moon rises to 16,762 feet (5,109 metres) at Margherita Peak, Uganda’s highest point which is often hidden by clouds, capped by snow and glaciers.
Also between the Virunga and Rwenzori lies Lake Edward and George, rest of the boundary is composed of the Western Rift Valley which contains Lake Albert and the Albert Nile River.
06. The ancient traditional kingdoms of Buganda, Bunyoro-Kitara, Busoga, Teso, Bugwere and Toro are still in existence
Uganda’s Kingdom history is traced from way back in the early centuries. The popular Kingdoms known in the republic of Uganda are; Buganda Kingdom, Bunyoro – Kitara Kingdom, Teso, Bugere, Busoga and Tooro Kingdoms which are ancient traditional African kingdoms that have enjoyed both local and international recognition even by the British colonial masters back in time.
Unfortunately, with the political upheavel that Uganda experienced in the late 1960’s the new government of Milton Obote forcefully disbanded all the traditional kingdoms. The constitution introduced in 1967 went a step further and fully outlawed them.
The famously violent regime of Idi Amin of the 1970’s was no better and it wasn’t until the democratically elected government of 1993 re-established them. Then in 1995, the new constitution fully recognized these ancient kingdoms in law and the powers of their leaders or Kings. The 2005 amendment to the constitution re-affirmed the position of these Kings, further confirming their status in Ugandan society.
Though these Kingdoms are fully recognized in law, they are not fully sovereign politically. However, they do have considerable political influence and regularly meet with government leaders.
07. Uganda is connected to the World through a number of International Airlines
Uganda through the Country’s main entrance hub, Entebbe International Airport through the Civil Aviation Authority in partnership with International Civil Aviation Authority (ICAO) allows for a flying zone to Uganda through the Airport.
A number of international Airlines operate flights to Uganda from across the different parts of the World.
Among these Airlines include; Ethiopian Airlines, Egypt Air, SN Brussels Airlines, Turkish Airlines, KLM Royal Airlines, China Southern Airlines, Jambo Jet, Qatar Airways, Emirates Airlines, among many more.
08. Diverse Culture and Languages
Uganda has a diverse culture with over forty languages being spoken. English and Swahili are the official languages, Luganda, Acholi, Japadhola, Lugisu, Runyankole, Lusamia,Lugwere, Lugbara, Kumam and numerous other local languages are spoken according to the different tribes.
09. Uganda has a vibrant nightlife with tasty beers, beautiful women and handsome men
With new entertainment centres which open and launch almost every day, Uganda is blessed freedom to party all day and all night coupled with new budding talents which keep entertaining revelers as they enjoy fun all night.
Not forgetting our rankings in the global alcoholic consumption index as one of the biggest alcohol consumption market in Africa and the world. Ugandans enjoy parties and beer which is sometimes coupled with dating and business deals as most people interact on a table of beer.
10. The equator passes through the country
The Equator that crosses through to the different countries in Africa and world at large passes through Uganda at Kayabwe. It is one of the most and well known landmarks in Uganda.
The Equator is an intersection of the earth’s surface with the plane perpendicular to the earth’s axis of rotation and containing the earth’s centre of mass. It is also the imaginary line that divides the world into two halves.
The Equator is located in Kayabwe, Mpigi District, about 72 kilometers from Kampala city, the capital of Uganda. Its along Kampala-Masaka road 420 kilometers from Kampala. South west of Kampala; you will be able to locate markers of the equator in Kasese District within the Queen Elizabeth National Park. You will experience warm temperatures while at the Equator as you stand in the middle of the world. Please remember to have a sunscreen for your skin.
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