Location

A landlocked country in East-Central Africa. The Equator passes through Uganda.

Bordering Countries

Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan and Tanzania.

Capital

Kampala.

Lakes and Water Bodies

Lake Victoria: Largest in Africa, shared with Kenya and Tanzania, source of the White Nile.

Lake Albert: Located in western Uganda, it forms part of the Albertine Rift.

Lake Edward: Shared with the Democratic Republic of Congo, it supports rich biodiversity.

Lake Kyoga: Shallow lake in central Uganda surrounded by extensive wetlands.

Ethnic Groups

65 ethnic groups. Official languages are English and Swahili.

Government

Democracy with the President as the head of government.

Geography

Mostly sits on a central plateau covered by rainforest. High volcanic mountains on eastern and western borders. Virunga and Ruwenzori Mountains and the Western Rift Valley form the western boundaries. Highest peak is Margherita Peak (5,109 m) in the Ruwenzori Range. Inselbergs (rock islands) rise above savannahs and plateaus.

Mountain Ranges               

Rwenzori Mountains: Known as the "Mountains of the Moon," home to Mount Stanley with glacial features.

Mount Elgon: Extinct volcano on the Uganda-Kenya border, famous for its fertile soils and large caldera.

Virunga Mountains: Found in southwestern Uganda, it is known for mountain gorillas and volcanic landscapes.

Rivers

Eight major rivers include Victoria Nile, Achwa, Okok, Pager, Albert Nile, Kafu, Mpongo, and Katonga.

Wildlife

11% of the world’s bird species. 8% of the world’s mammals. Highest concentration of primates globally. Home to half the world’s population of endangered mountain gorillas.

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q.Which of the following countries does Uganda share its borders with?

1. Kenya
2. Tanzania
3. Rwanda
4. South Sudan
5. Democratic Republic of the Congo
6. Burundi

Select the correct answer from the options below:

(a) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

(b) 1, 2, 3, 4, 6

(c) 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

(d) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

Answer: a

Explanation

Uganda, popularly known as the 'The Pearl of Africa' is located in East Africa and lies astride the equator. It is a land-locked country bordered by Kenya in the East, Tanzania in the South, Rwanda in the Southwest, Democratic Republic of Congo in the West and Sudan in the North.

Uganda shares its borders with five countries:

Democratic Republic of the Congo: To the west

South Sudan: To the north

Kenya: To the east

Rwanda: To the southwest

Tanzania: To the south