Uganda

Population

29,889,000

Location

Landlocked on Lake Victoria in Central-Eastern Africa

Languages

English (official), Swahili, Bantu, Luganda and other local African languages.

Religion

Roman Catholic, Protestant, Islam and indigenous beliefs

Capital City

Kampala

Literacy Rate

70%

Life Expectancy

52.7 years

Interesting Facts

By the 14 th century, there were three kingdoms in what is now known as Uganda: The Buganda (“Land of the Gandas”), Bunyoro and Ankole. It came under English influence in the late 1800’s and got independence, with the king of Buganda (Mutesa II) as its first president in 1962.

Its next leader was Colonel Idi Amin who expelled all residents of Asian descent and ruled Uganda through terror and oppression. He declared himself “President for Life” and had hundreds of thousands of his political opponents killed. He was chased into exile in 1979 after Tanzanian troops invaded along with Ugandan exiles loyal to former-President Obote.

Uganda is clearly a beacon of hope in Africa where the HIV-AIDS rate is concerned, having cut its infection rate from over 30% to close to 8%. Today though, its major challenge is dealing with an extremist militant group called the Lord’s Resistance Army, led by a mentally unstable man who abducts young children and leads a campaign of rape, murder and abuse in Northern Uganda.

Projects

Last Christmas, Mama Afrika donated various school supplies, toys and clothing to our cooperative members and their families in rural Uganda. We appreciate your donations which made this project possible. We also make financial donations. You will find photos of our Ugandan cooperative members at work by clicking here.