To many, Uganda is a simple landlocked East African country haunted by a dark political history. But wait, you are wrong. If you haven’t been to this exquisite ‘Pearl of Africa’, do not get welded off in the unknown because there are many things less or never talked about Uganda.
Things so unique and some so vibrant that you could wonder why they never get the talk they deserve. This however depends on the different world views we carry. Regardless, they are worth the mention.
As always, at Guide2uganda, we are committed to letting you know Everything about Anything Uganda. And we ensure to make your experience with Uganda worthwhile. In this article, we have listed you the Top 10 facts about Uganda no one tells you. Take a look!
1. Uganda Manufactures Vehicles
Uganda develops its own vehicles named Kiira motors. The company focuses on sustainability and has produced electric vehicles including solar powered buses and an electric car. These transverse the country and of recent have been put out for public hire as Airport pick ups or even group transport vehicles with advance plans to have them as basic city commuters. The state owned company is on course to manufacturing and producing electric motor bikes.
2. Uganda has a moderately literate Population
According to World Data Atlas, in 2018, adult literacy (aged 15 years and older) rate for Uganda was estimated at 76.5 %. Though this lags behind the world’s average (86%), Uganda has been on a positive trajectory with increasing numbers of educated citizens especially after the introduction of the Universal Education program in both primary and Secondary schools that saw majority of the under privileged access school free of charge. Yes! Uganda has a free primary (UPE) and Secondary (USE), Universal primary and Secondary Education.
3. Uganda is a Peaceful, democratic and Politically stable country
Uganda has often times been depicted to the outside world as a politically unstable country. Believe me not, you are wrong if you took it up that way. Uganda is a presidential republic in which the President of Uganda is the head of state and the prime minister is the head of government business. There is a multi-party system. Executive power is exercised by the government. Legislative power is given to both the government and the National Assembly.
The country has a functional parliament with each member dually elected by the citizens and it is this parliament that crafts new and amends old laws. Yes, often, demonstrations and strikes happen but this doesn’t mean un stability. In fact, these demonstrations often happen during the campaign and election periods when people tend to be too hyped up. And in bid to maintain calm and law and order, the police usually clash with these masses. And or maybe, though relatively un common, when hard times hit the economy and the masses feel the pinch.
4. Most Entrepreneurial country
Uganda has the most business start ups every year but unfortunately, most of them never celebrate their first birthday given the number of challenges they face throughout from date of inception. Majority of Ugandan business establishments operate in the trade sector (over 60% of both male- and female-owned businesses). Interesting of this fact is that, Uganda has the most female entrepreneurs in the world. Uganda is ranked first at 38.2 per cent of female owners as a percentage of total business owners. Wow!
5. One of the safest African Tourist Destinations
Almost all tourists that visit the East African country have had great experiences that their feedback is always positive. It is on very rare occasions that tragedies have occurred to any visiting tourists in Uganda. Neither have fatalities nor accidents been recorded for visiting tourists. Only tales of the wonderful experiences, both day and night, have lived to be told by almost everyone that has visited this simple African heaven making it one of the safest tourist destinations worth visiting.
6. Youngest world population
With 78% of Uganda’s population being under 25 years of age, the country has the youngest age structure in the world. The population of Uganda is currently growing by about one million people per year, and given the force of demographic momentum, Uganda will see high rates of population growth for decades to come. With such a population, you can hardly meet an elderly person on any given street across the country. Just imagine!
7. Best English speaking country in Africa
English is Uganda’s national Language. According to the world Linguistic Society, Uganda is ranked the best English speaking country in Africa. The Queen’s language, is one of the widest spoken languages in the world. Uganda having been colonized by Britain, the country took on English as their official communication medium after gaining independence. 89.9% of the Ugandan population is estimated to be English speaking persons. This an interest fact given that it surpasses the country’s estimated literacy level of 76%.
8. Everything is Eaten Fresh
Agriculture has for long been Uganda’s major economic back-bone. Majority of the 47.5 million population is highly reliant on agriculture for both cash and subsistence purposes. Agricultural produce can readily be found and bought in markets strewn across the country. All food here is eaten fresh; from the farm to the Market and then to the Kitchen and then table.
No preservatives or additives because food is in plenteous here. And if any, though less, preserved food such as smoked or tinned meat and fish, is not a natural delicacy. Yet still, global multi-cuisines can be found in specific restaurants and Hotels.
9. Traditions and Cultural diversity
Uganda also has over 30 indigenous tribes with over 53 diverse languages. All these have different ways of living life, beliefs, food, religion, culture, traditions, among others. Some of the tribes include the Baganda, Kiga, Karamojong, Basoga and Batooro plus several others. And of course, Uganda still has kingdoms within led by cultural kings.
You could imagine the differences herein. Wait, not at all! They all stay together in peace, harmony and brotherhood as countrymen and women, brethren’s and sisters no matter the tribe or cultural affiliations. They even inter marry across all cultures. The country is indeed a cultural haven for culture enthusiasts. With all the differences, there is a lot to take a leaf from.
10. Modern Roads
With over 4,000km of tarmac roads, Uganda has the most developed highways and roads in East Africa. Major access roads to towns and national parks have been upgraded to the most modern versions, a thing that has aided effective commence and transportation across the country. This is less talked about. The same journey that took two days with a night stop over from Kampala to Kisoro, home to the great mountain gorillas, in 2000 now takes only six hours.
And there you have it. Quiet untold but worth knowing facts about Uganda. Be encouraged to come visit the ‘Pearl of Africa’, a natural wonder worth exploring. Enjoy!
About Guide2Uganda
Guide2Uganda (www.guide2uganda.ug) is the most comprehensive source of travel information about Uganda that exists on the web, with more content on its cities & towns, accommodation, attractions, events, museums and galleries than any other online guide that currently exists for Uganda; as well as being a dynamic travel news and events driven site with fresh content added daily.
According to WeFollow & Peer Index (that measure online influence), we are among the most influential online media organizations in Uganda. Guide2Uganda was also awarded ‘’Best Destination Website in Uganda’’ by Jumia Travel Uganda in the 2018 Africa Travel Awards.
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