Learn about Uganda Geography in Africa

About Uganda geography, we shall talk about its:-

The name and its meaning, the land and its borders the administrative structure and the lakes and rivers.

By the time the explorers reached in Uganda, they found Uganda had kingdoms and among those kingdoms was Buganda kingdom which was very strong at that time.

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The official name is of course “REPUBLIC OF UGANDA”.

Short abbreviation: UG

Noun and adjective: UGANDAN (S)

Area Uganda has a total area of 236040 sq km

Of which 36330 is covered by water

This means that 199710 is available above water

Border countries:

Congo, Kenya, Tanzania, Sudan, Rwanda

On the west Uganda a is bordered by Democratic Republic of the Congo by 765 km

on the east bordered by , Kenya 933 km,

then Rwanda on the south west by 169 kms

Then northern is Sudan by 435 km,

Then south east is Tanzania by 396 km

Thereby making Uganda a land locked country that means that both Exports and Imports pass through Kenya or Tanzania before they reach the coast.

Uganda is sliced between by the Tropical of Equator

Lowest part is at Lake Albert measuring 621m and

The highest part is at Mt Rwenzori at 5110M

For more information,Click here to visit the map of Uganda page and Learn More

Uganda Geography on Lakes and Rivers

The south of Uganda is bordered by Lake Victoria which is dotted with Islands and resorts.

The Ssese Islands in the north western part of the Lake is the largest group with 84 Islands covered in Forests and swamps.

Lake Edward is linked to Lake George by Kazinga Channel, located some 230 kms from Kampala, these lakes are Bird’s paradise.

The Rwenzori Mountains make a Spectacular setting on Lake Edward's Horizon.Lake Albert stands guard at the Western border of Uganda. It is a place of dramatic scenery, with The Mountains of the Moon rising up in the distance.

The lake has endless birding opportunities.Click to know more about Birding Vacation in Uganda

Particularly in the Delta region where the Albert Nile River joins the Lake.

Lake Mburo is the only lake in Uganda located Entirely within a National Park.Click to visit Lake Mburo National Park

Lakes Kyoga and Kwania are in the center of Uganda, but are less accessible for exploration by tourists and other visitors.

Other lakes include Lake Bunyonyi near Kabale (One of the deepest lakes in Africa” at over 900 meters And Lake Bisina in the shadow of Mount ElgonThe rive Nile is Africa's longest river stretching its source in Uganda to the Mediterranean Sea, The banks of the Nile has nurtured some of the world's greatest civilizations Including the ancient Egyptians.

The Victoria Nile flows thorough the Murchison Falls National Park, negotiating over the fall through a seven meter cleft in the rocks into a pool below.

The thundering noise can be heard kilometers away. It emits a fine spray, almost like rain and clouds of vapour, spitting out fish to the waiting army of crocodiles below.

The Victoria Nile then flows into Lake Albert and here it joins the Albert Nile and eventually flows into the Sudan to form the main source of the White Nile.

Giant Nile Crocodiles are often seen along the river banks which are also abundant with plant, animal and bird life.

Information on Uganda geography and Administration:

Uganda was a British protectorate throughout the first half of the 20th century and was only given its independence in 1962.

Uganda continues to be a Commonwealth country. Milton Obote was the first Prime Minister of Uganda and his government was ousted in January 1971 in a coup led by armed forces commander Idi Amin, who declared himself president, dissolved the parliament, and amended the constitution to give himself absolute power.Click to read more about Amin's Military rule in Uganda

Idi Amin's 8-year rule led to economic decline, social disintegration and wholesale human rights violations.

Subsequent to Amin’s forcible removal in 1979, the political situation remained in turmoil and was only stabilised by the emergence of the National Resistance Movement (NRM),led by Yoweri Museveni.

Since 1985, the NRM has dramatically improved the human rights situation in the country, initiated widespread economic reform and established a new constitution which has been approved democratically. Uganda can now boast one of the fastest growing economies in Africa and its capital, Kampala is a modern, bustling city.

In the early 1990’s there were localised problems in the west of the country when the allied democratic forces invaded Uganda,on the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo, in the region of the Ruwenzoris Mountains. This was a “no go” area for several years, but is now once again accessible.

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