Uganda Fun Facts

•  A Ugandan president is called Museveni, no matter the outcome of the elections

• The parliament was built without intelligence in it. It was only until 2011 that the august house started developing certain unverifiable signs of intelligence. However, officials worry that the available space may not be enough to hold the intelligence.

•  A minister is any public figure that can ably swindle public funds and get away with it.

• 70% of police officers have eyes that can detect guns and any metallic objects in cars just by looking at the passengers.

•  It is “illegal” to have electricity 7 days in a row

• A government contract is only awarded to a provider if they cannot competently provide the service. Anything short of that will lead to immediate termination of the contract and severe penalty.

• Roads are constructed with potholes in them. Those without potholes are denied further maintenance until a thorough investigation is carried out.

• Criminals in the private sector are loved by the people while those in the public sector are loved by the president.

•  It is imperative to have a nationwide violent strike at least once a year even if the strike essentially accomplishes nothing.

• If you tell a “Ugandan-if not “Africans “in general” to meet you at 1.00pm, don’t actually expect to see them until at least 1:30. This theory has been tested and proven and is known as African time

• Ugandan ladies never call. They only beep if they want to tell you something. This theory is also scientifically proven and tested.

• Around 50% of Uganda’s population survives on less than one dollar a day.

• Uganda is one of the top countries in the world when it comes to alcohol consumption.

• Ugandans love meat stews, but the “meat” is not just the meat – it’s also the animal’s liver, stomach, intestines, tongue, etc. The Ugandan cook wastes nothing.

• In Uganda, “skimpy” is defined as “not reaching your ankles.”

• The tribal customs of Uganda are still very alive, practised, and greatly respected. While there are estimated to be 52 tribes represented within Uganda, the following are the larger and more well-known tribes include: Buganda (in central), Toro (in the west), Karamoja (in the northeast), Acholi (in north), Sebei, Busoga (in the east), Bugisu (in the east), Iteso (in the east), Ankole, Kigezi, Madi, Lango (in north), Teso, and Bukedi.

• Uganda is the Youngest Country in the World with half of its population under the age of 14 year. The life expectancy for the average Ugandan is only early 50s.

•  10.2% of bird species of the world is found in Uganda. It is a good destination for bird-watchers!

•  When you ask where the toilet is they ask you if it is for a long-call or short-call, basically do you need to go #1 or #2

• Uganda has the worlds best bananas, pineapples, mangoes, and avocados.

• Uganda is home to the endangered mountain gorillas, which are almost extinct.  There are only 750 left in the world, and they can only be found between Bwindi National Park in Uganda, Parc de volcanoes National park in Rwanda, and Virunga in Congo.

• Uganda’s people are known around the word for their warmth and hospitality.

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The following legend is said to explain how Uganda got its name: Many, many years ago there was a man who lived in Unyoro (a part of Uganda) whose name was Uganda. He was a poor man who hunted often in order to feed his family. He became so skilled and successful at hunting that he was able to also feed his neighbors and village. This caused him to rise in stature and importance and Uganda was name Kimera, the first King of the Buganda Kingdom from which present Uganda gets its name. Uganda is a Bugandan word meaning ‘bundles.’

 

Uganda is roughly the square mileage of Oregon with about 236,000 square kilometers.

 

The population of Uganda is comparable to that of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut combined with just over 34 million people.

 

Uganda is made up of 77 districts, and more districts are emerging. (In America, we would call them counties.) Every district elects at least 1 (if not more) representative for Parliament.

 

Uganda gained its independence from England on October 9, 1962.

 

Uganda’s National Bird and Symbol is the Crested Crane. The Crane was chosen to depict the characteristics of Ugandans, who are hospitable, graceful and can live with people in peace.

Even today Uganda’s Parliament pays homage to their English influences. Parliament follows all of the English traditions of government practices and wardrobe. Ugandan Parliament’s Chamber is even modeled in the same architectural style and color theme of the British House of Commons.

There are a total of 386 members of Ugandan Parliament. There is representation from districts, women, youth, workers, persons with disabilities, and ex-officials.

The President is not a member of Parliament. Once a bill is passed through Parliament for consideration, it is the President’s duty to accept/veto that bill before becoming law.

Uganda just elected its first woman Speaker of Parliament this year. Her name is Rt. Honor Rebecca Kadaga. She was appointed to this position by Uganda’s President.

There are 5 kingdoms that exist within Uganda: Buganda (central), Bunyoro (west), Toro, (southwest), Ankole (southwest), and Busoga (east).

The tribal customs of Uganda are still very alive, practiced, and greatly respected. While there are estimated to be 52 tribes represented within Uganda, the following are the larger and more well-known tribes include: Buganda (in central), Toro (in the west), Karamoja (in the northeast), Acholi (in north), Sebei, Busoga (in the east), Bugisu (in the east), Iteso (in the east), Ankole, Kigezi, Madi, Lango (in north), Teso, and Bukedi.

Uganda is the Youngest Country in the World with half of its population under the age of 14 year. The life expectancy for the average Ugandan is only early 50s.

Uganda was recently named ‘2012 Best Tourism Location’ by Lonely Planet. Over 1 Million tourists visit Uganda every year.

Uganda uses the Metric system of measurement. (Have to learn how to use liters and meters.)

Uganda uses European cares and rules of European driving. (Yep, still seems like I am always on the wrong side of car and roads!)

The literacy rate of Uganda is only 52%.

The average Ugandan will make about $1300.00 per year. (However, bear in mind that Uganda is filled with extremely poor people and vastly wealthy people. To take an average is really skewing the data.)

10.2% of bird species of the world is found in Uganda. It is a good destination for bird-watchers!

Uganda’s currency is Shillings. They come in increments from 50-50,000. One American dollar equals about 2,500 shillings.

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