This is Uganda: dangers, customs, ethnic groups, animals, what you should not do

Uganda is one of the best places in the world to see gorillas in their natural habitat Natural There are two places to see them the Impenetrable Bewindi National Park a Vast virgin forest and Mahinga Gorilla National Park both in the southwest of the country The gorillas of the impenetrable jungle are found between 1 000 and 2 400 meters in elevation being It is necessary to walk two to six hours to find gorilla families These Mountain treks are usually very expensive costing from 700 dollars for one Permission that allows being near the gorillas for an hour It is the species Gorilla beringuei beringuei or mountain gorilla and it is estimated tha Currently only about 1 000 individuals of this species remain although the population is increasing Population In 1989 there were only 620 worldwide These primates are very social living in cohesive and stable groups with a Lasting relationship between males and females Although they are much stronger than humans On average mountain gorillas are shy and can be afraid of insects Reptiles in addition to avoiding rain like humans One of the main reasons this species has been so close to extinctio It is poaching The gorillas were dying from traps set for other animals bu They were also hunted for use in traditional medicine or for their heads hands and feet They were sold to collectors The young ones were captured to be sold to zoos researchers or rich people who wanted them as pets resulting in the loss of An adult since group members may fight to the death to protec To the youth In the past the young have been sold for $40 000 Today poaching in Uganda is less common although it remains a real danger for the species In fact in 2020 they killed the 25-year-old male gorilla known as Friend Stay with me to discover this extraordinary country how people live its customs and what it has to offer Don't do if you visit its most common or dangerous animals destinations that shouldn' You can get lost and much more Uganda whose capital is Kampala is located in eastern Africa in the basin The Nile and it has no outlet to the sea It has an area of 241 000 square kilometers bordering the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west Kenya to the east and South Sudan to the sou To the north is Rwanda and Tanzania to the southwest The country is in the Great Lakes region From Africa In its territory is Lake Victoria Lake Albert and Lake Edward and Lake Kioga Lake Victoria is the second largest freshwater lake in the world The official languages are English and Swahili although around 70 languages are spoken In total with Luganda being the most spoken which is the language of the Baganda or Ganda a Ethnic group of Buganda For Western countries the sub-kingdoms within African countries It can be somewhat complex to understand Buganda is a traditional sub-kingdom within Uganda While Uganda is a presidential republic Buganda is a monarchy A constitutional monarchy with a territory divided into districts and even ministries Indeed They have their own website different from Uganda's official website 2 Uganda's wildlife is very diverse This animal called the crowned crane The grey crowned crane is the national bird of Uganda It appears on the flag and in the The coat of arms The colors of its feathers black yellow and red are the same as the national flag e ones from their six-striped flag There are also about 5 000 chimpanzees The animals most genetically close to humans sharing 98.8% of their DNA 3 Hippos which are found in national parks that have rivers or lakes such as Queen Elizabeth National Park or Murchison Falls National Park Although the hippopotamus is herbivorous it is the most dangerous animal that lives in the country Killing around 500 people in Africa each year There are also about 5 000 elephants in Uganda The population is recovering from 700 individuals in the 1980s The two main threats to elephants are habitat loss and poachers at they kill to sell ivory The global population of There are about 450 000 elephants a small number compared to the 25 million what was there in the 16th century In the 1990s the population fell sharply below 300 000 In 2008 it reached 470 000 individuals and has since decreased to the current level This is another species that can be seen in Uganda the black rhinoceros but only In a private sanctuary as it became extinct in the 1980s in its natural habitat llegal hunting and habitat loss Other species found in the country are the white rhinoceros orth buffalo Nile crocodiles lions leopards and many others 3 Uganda is Find yourself in Ecuador which means it has a tropical climate with high temperatures It is humid all year round Its landscape is diverse with mountains savannas and forests The Western Rift Valley runs through the country dividing it into two distinct regions e highlands to the west and the lowlands to the east The western highlands are They are characterized by mountainous terrain with the highest peak being Margarita A 5 110 meters above sea level The eastern lowlands are flat with grassy plains and forests Murchison Falls National Park is located In this region there is a great variety of wildlife including elephants lions and crocodiles It also houses the Murchison Falls where the Nile River flows Through a narrow gorge it plunges more than 43 meters to create a thundering waterfall The northern part of Uganda is characterized by having mountains and hills being the Par Nacional Mount Elgin is the main attraction with several species of monkeys such as the vervet monkey red cola the ring-tailed lemur or the gorilla I've already told you about This makes it a Popular destination for hikers and wildlife enthusiasts 4 This is a typical scene in Uganda Local farmers who want to sell Its banana production Uganda is one of the top 10 banana producers in the world In his work My African Journey Winston Churchill describes the capital Kampala as visible because it is hidden by the leaves of countless banana plantations However The most exported product is coffee accounting for 80% of exports 5 Ugandan cuisine is heavily influenced by the indigenous cultures of the country as well as its history of trade and immigration Nearly 70% of Ugandans are engaged in agriculture Agriculture and basic foods often consist of local crops such as bananas Cassava millet sweet potatoes and corn A typical dish is matoque or a stewed banana with chicken It is also common to eat a type of porridge made from ground millet or corn known as porridge Ugali which is usually served with a side of beans or vegetables The lugombo is another traditional Ugandan dish that combines beef chicken or goat with Peanut sauce that occasionally includes mushrooms dried fish or smoked meat All the ingredients are wrapped in banana leaves and steamed for several hours It is served with sautéed vegetables or steamed mashed bananas Chicken is also an important part of the diet in Uganda Beef and goat are the most consumed meats Fish is also eaten especially in areas near lakes and rivers The food is usually spicy Using various local spices and herbs such as chilies ginger and garlic Uganda is also known for its street food which includes foods such as bananas Grilled or fried chapati a type of flatbread or grilled meat on a skewer Uganda is among the 30 poorest countries in the world It is estimated that around 40% of the population lives below the poverty line especially in rural areas Approximately 41% of the About 1.3 million Ugandans live on $2 or less per day which is considered extreme poverty One of the causes of this poverty is education Many children cannot access education High quality especially in rural areas making it difficult to break the cycle of poverty They are born in poor places with a lack of resources to create wealth Indeed The country has one of the highest illiteracy rates in the world Only 50% of young people complete primary education Many schools lac clean water electricity and basic materials such as books computers or projectors Additionally There is a shortage of properly trained teachers and an excessive number of students per class Uganda is one of the countries with the youngest population With an average age of 17 nearly 80% of its population is under 30 years old Likewise Its population grows by 3% each year which is 1.2 million more Ugandans Each Ugandan woma It has an average of 5 children These figures on youth and birth rate in Uganda are very different o those of other countries that have an aging population and low birth rate Few South Korea is the country with the fewest children per woman The average is just 0.80 children per woman In South Korea and Japan the world's most aged country the average age is 49 years Almost the same as in Germany Italy or Greece 8 ACCESS TO DRINKING WATER HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FOR DECADES IN UGANDA Currently only slightly more than 50% of the population has access Clean water which makes it more difficult to combat poverty A challenge is the lack of frastructure Many rural areas lack access to running water and people have to Removing water from rivers lakes and wells which can be contaminated with bacteria and other pollutants Also many communities lack the resources and infrastructure to maintain and repair the existing water systems causing service interruptions and an increase Waterborne diseases such as cholera diarrhea fever typhoid or dysentery However the most deadly disease in Uganda is malaria transmitted by mosquito bites Endemic in 95% of the country and causing the death of more than 20 000 Ugandans each year 9 Uganda is one of the 10 countries that the Nile River flows through It is considered to be the source of the river In the mountains of Burundi although sometimes also considered Lake Victoria with 31 000 square kilometers of water within Ugandan territory This lake has a surface area With an area of almost 70 000 square kilometers 337 kilometers in length and 3 340 kilometers of coastline It is the The second largest freshwater lake in the world after the Lake Superior in North America A Despite its large size it is not very deep with an average of 40 meters being s deepest point 83 meters It is so large that it has about 1 000 islands On one of them On Gamba Island there is a sanctuary for chimpanzees The largest inhabited island is Ukerewe Where there are 345 000 people This lake also contains Migingo Island in the Kenyan part One of the most densely populated places in the world Another notable island is Dolwe Island It is located east of the lake filled with large rocks of strange shapes It has existed since About 300 years ago Currently inhabited by people from different regions The cave paintings on this island are a major tourist attraction and are distributed in 7 sanctuaries In Uganda crossing rivers fishing or even rowing a boat can be dangerous because ppopotamus or crocodile attacks Hippos that live around the Lake Victoria kills dozens of people each year People go to the waters to fish and are attacked by this species whose male is very territorial This animal weighs between 1 300 and 3.200 kilograms living in rivers and small lakes It is the most deadly wild mammal Ending the lives of 500 people in Africa each year Hippos do not eat humans but they attack other animals that enter their territory They usually spend most of their time in the submerged in water which is dangerous as people can enter their territory without a doubt In fact attacks on humans in boats are common The animal Capsize the boat and then attack the human crushing biting or drowning it There are also crocodile attacks The case of the crocodile known as Osama is famous It is estimated to have killed 80 people from the village of Lungana between 1991 and 2005 11 85% of Uganda's population is Christian mostly Catholic and Anglican with a Pentecostal and Adventist minority There is also 13% Muslim Jewish Hindu Buddhist or communities with beliefs in traditional religions 12 This is a traditional settlement in Karamoja a region in the northeast of the country where the people live Kamarohong an ethnic group that lives by herding and farming The barrier of The shrubs you see are built to mark the boundary of the village In addition to protecting themselves from wild animals 13 In Uganda polygamy is legal Allowing a man to marry multiple wives at the same time It is estimated that 8% of women and 7% Men live in a polygamous relationship In Ugandan families the man has more authority that any other family member has and there is maximum respect for the one who holds it Older people When they get married the main goal of a couple is to have children The divorces are extremely rare as marriage is considered a lifelong commitment life 14 If you visit Uganda there are a series of things you shouldn't do If you are going to see the gorillas you should know the rules Do not take flash photographs of gorillas as they dislike it and could react violently Keep at least 7 meters away from the animals both to keep them calm and to ensure your own safety To avoid infecting them with human diseases Do not touch them do not speak to them in a loud voice and do not eat You're free you don't look them in the eye If you don't want to be visited by angry hippopotamus or by a Do not swim in lakes or rivers the Nile crocodile can also be found outside of natural parks Another risk of swimming is contracting schistosomiasis a parasitic disease If you visit villages In rural areas do not take photos of the premises without their permission nor of staff or facilities For safety Also avoid public displays of affection as some Ugandans may view it as immoral Riding in a wedding-boda which are motorcycle taxis is not recommended because it can be dangerous In general avoid driving because the country has a high accident rate Crossing the street without much caution is dangerous To avoid stomach problems Do not drink un-bottled beverages and be very careful with street food or local food They could have low hygiene standards Uncooked food is best avoided As a common sense don't go out at night without local people and don't show signs of having money Also remember that there are many cases of malaria in Uganda so travel while being informed Finally avoid taking selfies with people you don't know who are poor something that has become popular on social media in recent years because it looks bad and is a form of exploiting the poor 15 Masindi District is located west of Uganda named after its city principal More than 50% of Murchison Falls National Park is located here district as well as the Omukama Palace one of the Omukama palaces of Bunyoro It translates to the King of Bunyoro It is a title given to the rulers e Kingdom of East Africa's Bunyoro-Kitara which was an independent state since the 19th century Sixteenth to nineteenth 16 In Kitagata west of Uganda You will find the Kitagata hot springs which are said to have healing powers The water from the springs heats up to 80 degrees Celsius and the place It is surrounded by beautiful vegetation and a landscape of conical hills 17 At Kasubi Hill in Kampala you can visit the tombs of the Kings of Buganda who are the last four kings of Buganda Muteza I Mwanga II King Muteesa II's tombs were built in 1882 and cover 26.8 hectares Surrounded by fig trees Since 2001 they have been part of UNESCO's World Heritage List 18 In the eastern region of Totoro lies Totoro where there is a rock formation known as the Totoro Rock Like Totoro Rock a tourist attraction that can be climbed for a very affordable price This rock is located 5 kilometers southeast of the city's central business district It is visible from any point in the Totoro district Its highest point is 1 483 meters 19 Since 1951 the Entebbe Wildlife Sanctuary was established in an area of 51 square kilometers This sanctuary is dedicated to the rescue and recovery of animals Danger and also has educational programs to get people involved environmental care When it opened the goal was to provide a refuge to sick injured orphaned or seized animals from illegal trade added Later also educational and outreach goals 20 The Karo group consisting of six ethnic groups can be found in southern Uganda Barian speakers The term Karo means relative and refers to the relationship Among these ethnic groups goes beyond language as they share a culture common The Karo are known for their body and face painting which they make based o ash and water or oil The designs can change daily and display very Diverse from stars to animal patterns or human hands 21 In the northwest of Uganda near the border with Kenya lies the village I am composed of just over 13 000 people They are known for their ability to grind grains and are currently transitioning from subsistence agriculture to a western form of agriculture 22 The people living in the west of the country are Konjo a descendant of Bantu groups whose land was part of the Toro kingdom His language He is Lukonjo who belongs to the Western Lake Bantu group They are characterized by being Short and sturdy people and they are known as blacksmiths potters and weavers 23 The traditional clothing of Ugandan men is called Kanzu It consists of a A white or beige tunic that can reach the ankle or the floor The garme It was introduced to Uganda by Arab traders and then by King Zekabaka Zuna The Buganda the kilt was adopted as the formal attire for all men in Buganda 24 Women in the central regions and Oriental women wear a dress and a sash tied at the waist with puffed shoulders Called Gomesi The dress is usually long and colorful Buganda was the first tribe Wear this garment and it is currently used by many Ugandan tribes Most of These dresses are made from silk or cotton and are only worn for special occasions such as funerals or weddings 25 Palm fiber baskets are a One of the most famous crafts of Uganda They are made from dyed palm thatch which is wrapped around a spool which is what they call in the country to the banana leaf stems The stems of these leaves are separated into strips Long and slender they are dried and wrapped with rattan The result is woven baskets Handmade unique designs and colors with a wide variety of sizes 26 In general arts and crafts play an important role in traditional culture Ugandesa and another of the notable handicrafts are bead necklaces which are made made from recycled paper materials The sale of these necklaces has become A source of income for many women who create unique and very durable pieces 27 The Bwola dance is a war dance of the Acholi tribe and it is also a dance of The Acholi court who live in northern Uganda It is a circular dance which older women and men participate The circle represents a fence that surrounds e palace courtyard It can last for hours as various activities take place simultaneously social events 28 The traditional Baganda dance is a gathering Social and originated in the palace of the King of Buganda It consists of three movements The main ones are Nankasa Ba Kizimba and Mwogola 29 It is also important that you learn something about the history of Uganda In the century XIX European explorers began arriving in Uganda and in 1894 the country became declared a British protectorate During the colonial period the British governme carried out significant administrative and educational reforms and also promoted developme Economic However colonization also brought conflicts and displacements forced labor of the local population In 1962 Uganda gained its independence from Great Britain and Milton Obote assumed the presidency During his term there was great instability political and economic In 1971 General Idi Amin Dada overthrew Obote and established an authoritarian and brutal regime that ruled until 1979 During his tenure the following occurred A large displacement of the population indiscriminate violence and mass rapes uman rights Since the fall of Amin's regime in 1979 Uganda has experienced a period of political and economic stabilization although there have still bee Some conflicts and forced displacements Currently Uganda is a developing country With a growing economy and a young rapidly growing population 30 Ugandans are very friendly and you shouldn't hesitate to talk to locals About Western people they have a view that you might not expect Some Ugandans They will see tourists or foreigners as rich influenced by the colonial past movies The stories they have been able to hear Family life in Uganda is the center of life And they place great importance on relationships family church or mosque People Mayors are highly respected and their knowledge and advice are valued It is preferable Avoid political topics or those that could cause cultural clashes since Uganda is still A very traditional country where Western societal values have not yet arrived Watch this video about Mozambique to learn about another 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