Central/East Africa.

GMT + 3.

241,139 sq km (93,104 sq miles).

27.6 million (UN, 2005).

114.5 per sq km.

Kampala. Population: 1.2 million (2002).

Uganda shares borders with Sudan to the north, Kenya to the east, Lake Victoria to the southeast, Tanzania and Rwanda to the south and the Democratic Republic of Congo to the west. Kampala is on the shores of Lake Victoria, and the White Nile flowing out of the lake traverses much of the country. The varied scenery includes tropical forest and tea plantations on the slopes of the snow-capped Ruwenzori Mountains, the arid plains of the Karamoja, the lush, heavily populated Buganda, the rolling savannah of Acholi, Bunyoro, Tororo and Ankole, and the fertile cotton area of Teso.

Under the terms of the constitution introduced in 1995, legislative power is in the hands of a unicameral parliament, with 292 members (of whom 214 are directly elected and 62 chosen from ‘special interest groups’). Executive powers are held by the president, who is directly elected for a five-year term.

Republic. Gained independence from the UK in 1962. Head of State: President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni since 1986. Head of Government: Prime Minister Apolo Nsibambi since 1999. Recent history: Yoweri Museveni, Uganda's leader since 1986, was declared the winner of the Presidential elections in February 2006, the first multi-party poll in 25 years. He is reported to have taken 59 per cent of the vote, compared with the 37 per cent share of his main rival, Kizza Besigye from the opposition Forum for Democratic Change. Observers said the conduct of the poll was an improvement on the 2001 vote, but critics accused the Government of intimidating the opposition in the run-up. Parliament abolished a constitutional limit on Presidential terms in 2005.

English is the official language, with Luganda and Swahili also widely spoken.

60 per cent Christian, 32 per cent animist and 5 per cent Muslim.

Shaking hands is the normal form of greeting. Casual dress is usual for most occasions in the daytime or evening. Ugandans have adopted a socially conservative culture and homosexuality and drug abuse is illegal and widely condemned. Photography: Since 1992, photography has been allowed in all areas with the exception of airports or military installations. However, some areas are still sensitive and it is advisable to take local advice. Commercial photographers should consult the Ministry of Information for a permit.

240 volts AC, 50Hz.