Yearbook 2009
Uganda. Despite a finalized peace agreement between the government and the rebel movement The Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), there was no peace in 2009. The LRA demanded that the agreement be renegotiated in order for leader Joseph Kony to sign it. According to countryaah, the rebels are expelled from Uganda but still operate in neighboring countries. Uganda’s army withdrew from Congo (Kinshasa) at the beginning of the year, where it intervened in late 2008 with the approval of the Congolese government to fight the LRA. The soldiers basically proceeded directly to the Central African Republic, where the LRA gained a new foothold. See ABBREVIATIONFINDER for abbreviation UG which stands for the nation of Uganda.
A conflict of another nature caught fire in September, when bloody riots broke out in Kampala. The unrest erupted when the government prevented the traditional kingdom of Buganda king Ronald Muwenda Mutevi II from visiting an area outside the capital of Uganda, Kampala. The area is within Buganda’s traditional boundaries but is today populated by another ethnic group that does not feel loyalty to the kingdom. The government justified its decision that the king’s visit would have meant an unauthorized political mark. At least 20 people were killed and about 50 injured when young people from the tragedy clashed with the riot police in the capital. The traditional kingdoms are formally allowed to play only a cultural role but in practice also exert a political influence.
In January, the Supreme Court ruled that sentenced prisoners who have not yet been executed three years after the sentence should have their sentences converted to life imprisonment. The Court also called on Parliament to launch a debate on the fairness of retaining the death penalty.
The freedom of assembly and organization was drastically reduced with Museveni’s signing of the Public Order Management Act in October 2013. The law dramatically reduced the number of demonstrations and protests during 2014.
In February 2014, Museveni signed a law against Homosexuality. Homosexuals will now be sentenced from 2 years to life in prison. At the same time, the country’s media ran a swine campaign against gays. The law caused Denmark, the Netherlands and Sweden to suspend assistance to the country. Two years earlier, the hackers group had anonymously hacked a number of the government’s Web sites in protest against homophobia in the country. In July, however, the Constitutional Court overturned the law, citing that Parliament had not been quorum when it was passed. However, the law had already resulted in LGBT people being kicked out of their homes, fired or assaulted in public space.
In June 2014, two piglets were smuggled into parliament in protest of the widespread corruption in the country and insult among its parliamentarians. In 2012, the World Bank estimated that corruption amounted to DKK 286 million. US $. The country’s parliamentarians already had a salary 60 times higher than government officials. In 2012, DKK 12.6 million disappeared. US $ in aid funds from the Prime Minister’s Office. It became a public scandal that caused the EU, Britain, Germany, Ireland, Norway and Denmark to suspend aid.
In September 2014, Museveni replaced Prime Minister Mbabazi with former Health Minister Ruhakana Rugunda.
Five senior officials of the country’s National Park Board were suspended in November after 5 tons of ivory had been stolen from the board’s stocks.
LRA commander Dominic Ongwen surrendered in January 2015. He was wanted for war crimes and international human rights organizations demanded him extradited to prosecution by the ICC. He was later transferred to The Hague, despite fierce opposition from the Ugandan government, who wanted him to stand trial in Kampala.
In July 2015, WikiLeaks was able to unveil secret talks between the presidential office and the Hacking Team on hacking software delivery. In November, Privacy International reported on the delivery of hacking software to the Ugandan military for intrusion into opposition and suspected regime opponents’ computers. In Denmark, PET uses similar software to penetrate the computers of oppositional and supposed regime opponents.
Attractions
National parks
The largest are Kabalega, Ruwenzori and Kidepo. Kabalega and Ruwenzori offer good accommodation options; Rwenzori National Park (also known as Queen Elizabeth National Park) is considered one of the greatest African parks of all. East National Park near Kampala has lodges, banda (huts) and campsites.
Kampala
The capital is home to the interesting Uganda Museum, as well as mosques and palaces from the ancient kingdom of Buganda. The city center is characterized by numerous shops, street markets and lively traffic. Other sights include the Kabaka Tombs on Kasubi Hill, the tombs of the Buganda kings. The Kibuli Mosque, the Rubaga Catholic Cathedral, the Anglican Namirebe Cathedral and the huge Sikh Temple are also worth visiting.
Mbale
Mbale is situated on a fertile plain. This spot near Mount Elgon is popular with hikers and climbers alike.
Shopping
Overview
Jewellery, wood carvings, basketry, tea, coffee and pottery. Shop opening hours: Mon-Fri 08.00-17.00, Sat 08.00-13.00.
Culinary
Overview
There are numerous restaurants in and around Kampala. All state hotels offer local and international dishes. Specialties include matooke (banana mash), millet bread, cassava, sweet potatoes, chicken and beef stews, and seafood. Drinks: The national drink is Waragi, a banana gin.
Culture
Religion
66% Christian, 16% Muslim and 18% followers of indigenous religions.
Social Rules of Conduct
They shake hands to greet each other. Casual attire is usually appropriate. Photographing military installations is prohibited. Smoking in public facilities is prohibited. Tipping: Waiters and taxi drivers receive a 10% tip.
Climate
Best travel time
Due to the altitude (over 1200 m), the temperatures in some parts of the country are relatively low despite the proximity to the equator. Heavy rains between March and May and October and November.
Country data
Phone prefix
+256
Area (sq km)
241038
Population
45.741.007
Population density (per square km)
157.1
Population statistics year
2020
Main emergency number
999