Uganda: Difference between revisions
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'''Uganda''' is a small, densely-populated country in eastern [[Africa]]. It is generally considered to be a physically beautiful country; [[Winston Churchill]] called it "the pearl of Africa" <ref> <!--find Winston Churchill quote--> </ref>, words which are repeated in the [[national anthem]] ''Oh, Uganda!'' <ref> From the third verse, "For our own dear land we'll always stand, the pearl of Africa's crown! </ref>. | '''Uganda''' is a small, densely-populated country in eastern [[Africa]]. It is generally considered to be a physically beautiful country; [[Winston Churchill]] called it "the pearl of Africa" <ref> <!--find Winston Churchill quote--> </ref>, words which are repeated in the [[national anthem]] ''Oh, Uganda!'' <ref> From the third verse, "For our own dear land we'll always stand, the pearl of Africa's crown! </ref>. | ||
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==Geography of Uganda== | ==Geography of Uganda== | ||
Uganda lies on the [[equator]], but its altitude gives it a less steamy climate than other countries at the same latitude. Most of Uganda is [[savannah]] (grassland), but the [[topography]] varies greatly for such a tiny area, from tropical rainforest to desert, from jungle to alpine. | Uganda lies on the [[equator]], but its altitude gives it a less steamy climate than other countries at the same latitude. Most of Uganda is [[savannah]] (grassland), but the [[topography]] varies greatly for such a tiny area, from tropical rainforest to desert, from jungle to alpine. | ||
==Religion== | ==Religion== | ||
The majority of Ugandans are Christians, with Moslems a sizable minority and Ugandan Jews a very small minority. In the twentieth century, the Christian population was almost evenly divided between Roman Catholics and Anglicans, with the (slight) majority varying from time to time. Today, the numbers of evangelical Christians is on the rise. | The majority of Ugandans are Christians, with Moslems a sizable minority and Ugandan Jews a very small minority. In the twentieth century, the Christian population was almost evenly divided between Roman Catholics and Anglicans, with the (slight) majority varying from time to time. Today, the numbers of evangelical Christians is on the rise. | ||
==Politics== | ==Politics== | ||
==Security== | |||
Uganda has faced a continuing insurgency from a radical Christian group called the [[Lord's Resistance Army]] (LRA). During the [[Second Sudanese Civil War]], the national Sudanese government assisted it as a proxy against the southern insurgency, the [[Sudan People's Liberation Movement]] (SPLM). As the SPLM became the ''de facto'', and then ''de jure'', government of [[South Sudan]], the LRA again turned its attentions on Uganda. | |||
==Food== | ==Food== | ||
Uganda’s cuisine is an amalgam of traditional “one pot” cooking with British and Asian cuisine. See [[Ugandan cuisine]]. | Uganda’s cuisine is an amalgam of traditional “one pot” cooking with British and Asian cuisine. See [[Ugandan cuisine]]. | ||
Revision as of 07:56, 12 July 2009
Template:TOC-right Uganda is a small, densely-populated country in eastern Africa. It is generally considered to be a physically beautiful country; Winston Churchill called it "the pearl of Africa" [1], words which are repeated in the national anthem Oh, Uganda! [2].
In the modern era, Uganda came to the notice of westerners for various reasons. The search for the Nile River caused the exploration of much of East Africa, and Uganda was "discovered by contesting explorers Speak, Burton, Stanley, and Baker. Late in the 19th Century, Christian missionaries made strong inroads, resulting in devout converts. The Uganda Martyrs were a group of young noblemen killed for their faith; as with most martyrs, their constancy and faith served to win others to the new religion and Christianity remains the faith of a majority of Ugandans.
Immediately after World War I, Uganda was suggested as a possible homeland for the settlement of Jews, though the idea was quickly abandoned. Following the rise of the African intelligentsia in the 1960s and the attendant push for the independence of African nations, Uganda became a showpiece for modern Africa, with a high GNP, good roads, adequate hydro-electric power, modern cities (Kampala, the capital, the international airport at Entebbe, and Jinja, site of the Owen Falls Dam and Nytil Industries (clothing). Makerere University and Makerere University Medical School enjoyed a world-class reputation and tourism to its first-class game parks accounted for about 80% of GNP and made Uganda a popular holiday destination.
Still, for most of the modern era, Uganda was little known among ordinary westerners. Uganda was occasionally mentioned in popular culture when an exotic, faraway or unlikely venue was needed. [3] In 1972 at the Munich Olypics, runner John Akii-Bua surprised most when he won the gold medal in the 400 m hurdles in world record time. Someone handed him a Ugandan flag, and in his excitement he ran around the track with it; starting a "victory lap" tradition which continues to the present. [4]
History of Uganda
Prior to the coming of Europeans, the area now known as Uganda comprised several small kingdoms, including Buganda and Toro, and areas ruled by chieftains, some democratically-elected and some hereditary.
Geography of Uganda
Uganda lies on the equator, but its altitude gives it a less steamy climate than other countries at the same latitude. Most of Uganda is savannah (grassland), but the topography varies greatly for such a tiny area, from tropical rainforest to desert, from jungle to alpine.
Religion
The majority of Ugandans are Christians, with Moslems a sizable minority and Ugandan Jews a very small minority. In the twentieth century, the Christian population was almost evenly divided between Roman Catholics and Anglicans, with the (slight) majority varying from time to time. Today, the numbers of evangelical Christians is on the rise.
Politics
Security
Uganda has faced a continuing insurgency from a radical Christian group called the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA). During the Second Sudanese Civil War, the national Sudanese government assisted it as a proxy against the southern insurgency, the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM). As the SPLM became the de facto, and then de jure, government of South Sudan, the LRA again turned its attentions on Uganda.
Food
Uganda’s cuisine is an amalgam of traditional “one pot” cooking with British and Asian cuisine. See Ugandan cuisine.
Culture
Notes and references
- ↑
- ↑ From the third verse, "For our own dear land we'll always stand, the pearl of Africa's crown!
- ↑ In a Gidgetmovie, Gidget's best friends, Diana Otesa, came from Uganda. Uganda was also used in movies to indicate a primitive or unsophisticated society, a premise which would have been untrue inthe 1960s. An episode of the American sitcom Good Times, James Evans says "The news'll be in Uganda by morning" to describe how fast it will be spread.
- ↑ It was a memorable moment; years later American sportscaster Jim McKay (ABC) asked who would ever forget John Akii-Bua taking his country's flag and running around the track with it.