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Uganda - Geography

Uganda is a landlocked East African country lying astride the equator. It is bordered (clockwise from north) by Sudan, Kenya, United Republic of Tanzania, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Area: 236,000 sq km including 36,330 sq km of inland water.

Main towns: Kampala (capital, pop. 1,403,600 in 2006), Gulu (160,200), Lira (131,200), Jinja (95,200), Mbarara (82,700), Mbale (78,500), Mukono (76,000), Kasese (72,700), Masaka (66,700), Entebbe (64,800).

Topography: Water, with swampland, covers nearly 20% of the surface area. The largest lakes include Lake George, Lake Kyoga, and parts of Lakes Victoria, Albert and Edward. From its source in Lake Victoria, the White Nile flows northwards through the country. Mountains include the high Rwenzori range in the west (Margherita Peak on Mount Stanley is 5,110m) and Mount Elgon (4,253m) in the east.

Climate: Equatorial, tempered with breezes and showers. Cooler in the higher areas. Heavy rain from March to May, and in October and November. Little rainfall in the north-east; though north-east parts of the country experienced unusually heavy rainfall in the latter part of 2007 with heavy flooding displacing tens of thousands of people.

Environment: The most significant issues are: draining of wetlands for agricultural use; overgrazing, soil erosion and deforestation; water hyacinth infestation in Lake Victoria; and poaching.

Vegetation: Much of the country, being so well-watered, is richly fertile; there is arid semi-desert in the north-east. Most of the country’s vegetation is savannah with tropical forests in areas of high rainfall. Drought-resistant bush, grasses and succulents grow in the north-east. Forest covers 18% of the land area, having declined at 1.8% p.a. 1990–2005. Arable land comprises 26% and permanent cropland 11% of the total land area.

Wildlife: Uganda has 7,200 sq km of national parks and game reserves, reflecting the extraordinary diversity of the country which comprises lakes, swamps, dense grassland, woodland, rolling plains, forests and mountains. There is a rich variety of wildlife, including elephants, Uganda kob, buffaloes, lions, rhinos, mountain gorillas and chimpanzees – 338 species of mammals and 830 species of birds.

Transport: Some 70,750km of roads radiate from Kampala, 23% of which are paved. The railway network extends over 260km. At the end of 1993, passenger services between Kampala and Kenya were resumed after a break of 15 years. Entebbe International Airport is 35km south-west of Kampala.