Uganda

Uganda is a landlocked country in East Africa. It is bordered by South Sudan to the north, Kenya to the east, Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the southwest, and Rwanda to the west; to the south lies Lake Victoria, the largest freshwater lake in Africa. The capital and largest city is Kampala. The country is a republic with a president and a multiparty parliament. English and Swahili are official languages, while many local languages, such as Luganda, are widely spoken.

Uganda's territory was home to powerful pre-colonial kingdoms, most notably Buganda. It became a British protectorate in 1894 and gained independence in 1962. The post-independence era included political instability and the dictatorship of Idi Amin (1971–79) and later years of conflict. Since 1986, Yoweri Museveni and his National Resistance Movement have governed the country, with a constitutional framework established in 1995.

Uganda has diverse landscapes, including the western highlands, the Rift Valley, and parts of Lake Victoria. Mountain gorillas and other wildlife are protected in national parks such as Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, and the Rwenzori Mountains. The country faces environmental and development challenges, including deforestation and climate-related risks.

Uganda's economy is predominantly agricultural, with crops such as coffee, tea, and bananas forming the backbone of export earnings. The country is also developing the petroleum sector in the Albertine Graben and expanding services, manufacturing, and tourism, including ecotourism and gorilla trekking.

Uganda's is home to multiple ethnic groups, with the Baganda forming a plurality in many areas. The population speaks a variety of languages, though English and Swahili are official. The religious composition is primarily Christian, with Muslim and indigenous communities. Education and health services have expanded since independence, though development indicators remain uneven across regions.