Uganda Bio

Where did Rene go this update?

Well we left him on the Tanzanian side of Lake Victoria where he caught a ferry over to Uganda.

Here he headed to the hills in the south west of the country before looping east into Kenya, stopping in Nairobi to take stock of just what to do next.

The europeans first explored Uganda in the 1860's, in search of the source of the Nile. These explorers were quickly followed by Protestant and Catholic missionaries (the two faiths that make up the majority of Ugandans today).

In 1888 Uganda was officially taken control of by the Imperial British East Africa Company and in 1894 the Kingdom of Uganda was placed under a formal British protectorate.

Independence wasn't achieved until 1961, with a democratic system put in place. That only lasted for about five years, when the then government suspended the constitution, it itself overthrown in a military coup in 1971.

This saw the rule of the notorious Idi Amin who is estimated to have murdered up to 100,000 Ugandans during his severn years in power until he was overthrown by Tanzanian forces.

Since then democracy has been slight although the current government thankfully is not too abusive and the country is relatively stable. However, there is still conflict in the north between government forces and the Lords Resistance Army, so this area is best avoided!

Geographically, Uganda is a landlocked equatorial country. the weather is generally pleasant (not too hot or cold), although there are rainy seasons between March and May, and October and November (best avoided).

Due to the British influence, the official language is English, although Caucasians (referred to locally as "mzungus" are relatively rare and so subject to interest (usually stares).

The roads vary – most are asphalted but can still get very rough in places. Minor roads are generally made of hard-packed earth and although good when dry can deteriorate badly during the rainy season and can become impassable, especially in the mountainous regions of the south-west ... which Rene now knows.

Information for this bio is courtesy of Wikepedia and Wiki-Travel.

Take me to Rene's photo essay (pictures and words by Rene Cormier)!