LocationCentral/East Africa.
Area241,038 sq km (93,065 sq miles).
Population30.9 million (UN estimate 2007).
Population Density128.2 per sq km.
CapitalKampala.
Population: 1.2 million (UN estimate 2003).
GovernmentRepublic. Gained independence from the UK in 1962.
LanguageEnglish is the official language, with Swahili, Luganda and other Bantu languages also spoken.
Religion60% Christian, 32% animist and 5% Muslim.
TimeGMT + 3.
Electricity240 volts AC, 50Hz.
Head of GovernmentPrime Minister Apolo
Nsibambi since 1999.
Head of StatePresident Yoweri Kaguta Museveni since 1986.
Recent HistoryYoweri Museveni, Uganda’s leader since 1986, was declared the winner of elections in February 2006, the first multi-party poll in 25 years. Officials said he took 59% of the vote versus the 37% share of his main rival, Kizza Besigye from the opposition Forum for Democratic Change. Observers said the conduct of the poll was an improvement on the 2001 vote, but critics accused the government of intimidating the opposition in the run-up. Parliament abolished a constitutional limit on presidential terms in 2005, paving the way for Museveni to seek a third elected term.
TelephoneCountry code: 256. Service for local calls is unreliable. Phone shops are available in towns.
Mobile TelephoneCoverage extends to all major towns and international roaming agreements exist with international mobile phone companies.
InternetThere are Internet cafes in most large towns.
MediaUganda has been a pioneer of liberalization in the African media. Private radio and television stations have thrived since the government loosened its control of the media in 1993. Radio is the most popular medium.
PostAirmail to Europe can take from three days to several weeks.
Post office hours: Mon-Fri 0830-1230 and 1400-1730. Some post offices are open Sat 0830-1300.
Press• The English-language papers include private daily
The Monitor and state-owned daily
New Vision.
• Vernacular papers include state-owned
Bukedde,
Etop and
Rupiny.
Radio• UBC Radio is a publicly run station that operates five stations in Uganda. It can be heard across the country in English and vernacular languages.
•
Radio Simba, Capital Radio and
KFM are private stations.
Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2009-December 2010 period.
2009
1 Jan New Year's Day.
26 Jan Liberation Day.
8 Mar International Women's Day.
10 Apr Good Friday.
13 Apr Easter Monday.
1 May Labor Day.
3 Jun Martyrs' Day.
9 Jun National Heroes' Day.
9 Oct Independence Day.
21 Sep Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan).
28 Nov Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice).
25 Dec Christmas Day.
26 Dec Boxing Day.
2010
1 Jan New Year's Day.
26 Jan Liberation Day.
8 Mar International Women's Day.
2 Apr Good Friday.
5 Apr Easter Monday.
1 May Labor Day.
3 Jun Martyrs' Day.
9 Jun National Heroes' Day.
9 Oct Independence Day.
11 Sep Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan).
17 Nov Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice).
25 Dec Christmas Day.
26 Dec Boxing Day.
NoteMuslim festivals are timed according to local sightings of various phases of the moon and the dates given above are approximations. During the lunar month of Ramadan that precedes Eid al-Fitr, Muslims fast during the day and feast at night and normal business patterns may be interrupted. Many restaurants are closed during the day and there may be restrictions on smoking and drinking. Some disruption may continue into Eid al-Fitr itself. Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha may last anything from two to 10 days, depending on the region.
Contact Information:Uganda Tourist BoardPO Box 7211, 13-15 Kimathi Avenue, Impala House, Kampala, Uganda
Tel: (41) 342 188.
Website:
www.visituganda.com High Commission for the Republic of Uganda in the UKUganda House, 58-59 Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DX, UK
Tel: (020) 7839 5783.
Website:
www.ugandahighcommission.co.ukOpening hours: Mon-Fri 0930-1730, 0930-1330 (visa section).
Embassy of the Republic of Uganda in the USA5911 16th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20011, USA
Tel: (202) 726 7100.
Website:
www.ugandaembassy.com
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