From endless political opposition commotions and scams to mushrooming Pentecostal preachers across the entire country, it’s well established that Uganda has something of an image problem.
While the outside world perception of Africa’s most populous country hasn’t always been overwhelmingly positive, there’s plenty more to this nation than its unsavory associations.
With our vibrant culture, sense of humor and adaptability, Uganda has become the “Giant of Africa” in more ways than just population size.
In remembrance of Uganda’s Independence month and date October 9th, below are 10 things of the many reasons why destination Uganda is number one where five out of ten Africans call home that stands out from the rest. You may be inspired to add the Pearl Of Africa to your travel list:
1. Traditional Wedding Ceremonies
In Uganda, if you have reached your 28th birthday and still single, the elders will harass you down the aisle which is one reason why we have Okukyala, Okwanjula, Kuhingira and wedding ceremonies every weekend atleast happen somewhere around the country.
Weddings are a sacred part of cultural life, but also an excuse to show off cuisine, fabulous clothing, music and dance moves in one life-affirming, chromatic bonanza.
With more than 40 indigenous ethnic groups, the ceremonies come in a variety of styles, depending on your region, culture and culture.
In the western region, the groom and his friends disappear the girl after secret talks with her family that she goes unnoticed, kept at the grooms place until she is pronounced bride after some weeks while at the grooms’ place that it’s hard for her to come out though well given enough care.
However, In the Central part (Buganda), there are functions like Okukyala (Pre-Visit), Okwanjula (Introduction) and Embagga (Wedding).
In other regions, the bride and groom’s families send each other letters of proposal and acceptance before getting down to dowry negotiations.
Once the serious stuff is done, it’s back to lots of food music and dancing and, best of all, drinking till drop.
If you haven’t experienced a traditional Ugandan wedding, you haven’t experienced Uganda.
2. Luwombo
Popular food signature in the Central part though adopted by other regions across the country for different occasions, at Restaurants among other purposes to serve. Luwombo calls for mixture of different food stuffs sometimes it can be chicken Luwombo, Meat Luwombo, G-nut Luwombo, Matooke and Rice placed on with any sauce in one platter, there are several ways to cook it!
While it’s widely accepted that Baganda invented this dish, the concept spread to East African countries.
3. Eating Pork to the bone
Much as it’s null and void to our Muslim brothers and sisters and the entire Muslim community, it’s adorned by several other religions much as the bible prohibits it. Pork is beef that is generated out of Pigs and feasted on to the bone by several Ugandans especially in hangout joints.
While we’re still on the subject of food, Ugandans are champions at eating pork to the bone and beyond.
It’s not enough to simply eat the beef. We break the bone, suck out the marrow and pulverize the remainder until there’s almost nothing left.
If your pork is still forensically identifiable at the end of the meal then you haven’t done it right. I beg, finish Up!
4. UGA- Wood Films
Gradually becoming the next Nollywood of Africa, Uganda is slowly proving to having diverse talents especially those arising from the UGA –Wood community. Only UGA -Wood and India’s Bollywood make more movies than elsewhere.
If you turned on any local Television station from local programming to English programming stations, you’ll not go by a day without catching a Ugandan Soap Opera or Movie popularly refered to as ‘’Kina Uganda’’ in indigenous Luganda language.
Known as UGA- Wood, our film industry is slowly developing into the next big business.
With average flicks churned out in under a two weeks, UGA wood films are famous for their poor (albeit improving) production values.
But what they lack in sophistication they make up for in story lines that are an entertaining window on Ugandan moral values and byzantine social dynamics.
Narratives exploring servant-master relationships, the supernatural, corruption and infidelity are delivered with lashings of shouty, eye-bulging overacting.
The movies draw a big audience in the rest of Africa, where viewers from more reserved societies can revel vicariously in Uganda’s outlandishness and even pick up some of our slang.
5. The Royal Escort Goat Races
Around October every single year, the Royal Escort Goat races are a must do item at Speke Resort Munyonyo. Hundreds of fans especially from the elite and upper social class gather to enjoy see the goats compete in an amazing race, to show much love to the game, some brand them names after betting on a cash prize to see whose goat takes the note high.
And not far from now, the goats will be back again in a super race that will be attended by most socialites, entertainers and tycoons.
6. Optimism
For all its political and economic troubles, Ugandans are somehow still among the most optimistic and happy people on the planet.
Opportunity doesn’t come knocking — we chase it, with the help of God, who we all know is on our side.
The Lord may have rested on the seventh day of Earth’s creation, but that’s the last day off he’s enjoyed ever since.
Ugandans call upon Him 24/7, spending days, nights and years in and out praying and pumping fists and demanding His favors.
Evidence of our optimistic spirit lies everywhere: It’s in the billboards that promise “a divine upgrade”, or our hustling entrepreneurial spirit. There’s no room for despair when we see ourselves as “temporarily embarrassed millionaires” (to quote Steinbeck) on the expressway to heaven.
So next time a Ugandan tells you “I will become the greatest by force!” understand that they’re not bragging — they’re just speaking their dreams into existence and this has lived to be witnessed from Musicians like Eddy Kenzo who came from the Ghetto, prayed and now ranked among the most Influential Africans on the top 100 list for 2019.
7. Party after Party
When it comes to the word ‘’Party’’, Ugandans have the best definition and one reason why bars among other night spots keep mushrooming everyday both in the city and on the outskirts.
Actually, the most recently adopted slogan from a Ugandan rapper called Big Tril on the song ‘’Parte After Parte After Parte’’. The young generation here loves fun, loves bars and beaches to mention but a few.
They hop bar to bar every night as if they have no beds to lie their nuts on the entire night, Surprisingly, some of them depart bars when its already morning, rush home, bathe and set off for work with hangovers!
8. Alcohol consuming nation
If you have alcohol consumers in your country, I bet they cannot surpass our local alcohol lovers. We were recently ranked among one of the top alcoholic consuming nations in Africa.
The Government has on several occasions debated about Alcohol consumption including banning sachet waragi, locally distilled waragi, regulated drinking hours among other measures but all seem to be not working out; just try walking around the slums of Kampala and other parts of the country, you will witness people enjoying their favorite alcoholic drinks as early as 7am in the morning on a working day.
When you step at Parties, you will witness more love for the bitter while those dressed in suits drink like there’s no tomorrow or like depots are closing down the next day, they will make sure they take the swallow until all bottles are bent down and witnessed that no more liquid runs out not even a single drop.
9. Events and Nightlife
Every Entrepreneurs’ dream is to make that money after enticing a lot of revelers to their venues and its one reason why most nightlife entrepreneurs advertise a lot of the nightlife programming to have as many party goers as possible so as they can make enough money for themselves.
Atleast a weekend doesn’t go by minus a Concert, Festival, Kids Parties, or Campus Bazaars, a typical reason why there are a lot of foreign entertainers arriving here for music shows almost every month due to our brilliant events and night life.
Here, people will have every reason to party, some say its one way they do away with stress, others its for networking while to some is looking for relationship hook ups.
Of late, you will also notice mushrooming events companies and promoters in the country.
10. The Love for Boda Boda
Given the whole chaos surrounding the boda boda industry not forgetting regular accidents on major highways, the love for boda boda (motorcycles) in Uganda seems unending; after all its somehow the fastest means of rushing around the city especially if you’re caught up on time and have something urgent to catch up with whether business or meeting someone.
Besides providing quick and fast transport in major towns across Uganda, Boda Boda’s have also managed to employ many of the country’s youth as they are guaranteed of a daily income to keep their lives and those of the families thriving on a daily.
About Guide2Uganda
Guide2Uganda (www.guide2uganda.ug) is the most comprehensive source of information about Uganda that exists on the web, with more content on Uganda and surrounding towns, attractions, museums and galleries than any other online guide that currently exists for Uganda as well as being a dynamic news and comprehensive events driven site with content being added daily.
According to WeFollow & Peer Index (whom both measure online influence) we are among the most influential online media organizations in Uganda. We were also awarded for ‘’Best Destination Website in Uganda’’ by Jumia Travel Uganda in the 2017-2018 Africa Travel Awards. If you are planning a visit to Uganda you can always reach us on; info@guide2uganda.ug
