Uganda’s Uniqueness Pertaining to Its Culture, Heritage, and Food

Uganda is with no doubt the Pearl of Africa! The country is abundantly blessed with its breathtaking scenery and outstanding features like the ever fresh water lake that’s the largest on the continent, the source of the Nile, (with the lakes rivers and swamps covering about 20% of the land surface), the diverse wildlife with 8% of the world’s mammal species, birds of all types and the serene weather.

Culturally, Uganda has some of the friendliest and welcoming people in Africa covering 9 indigenous communities and 56 tribes. Its cultural heritage includes artistic expressions for example language and literary arts which are portrayed through (poetry, music, dance performance), drama, cultural beliefs, traditions and values.

In regard to religion, the constitution provides for freedom of religion. Uganda’s religious heritage is tripartite: indigenous religions, Islam, and Christianity. The Roman Catholic covers (39.3%), Anglican (32%) and Muslim (13.7%). Other religions include the Pentecostal (11.1%), Hinduism (1.0%), Others (0.7%) and Baptist/no religion (0.5%).

For language, English has been Uganda’s only official language since Independence until recently when Kiswahili was made the country’s national language on July 5th, 2022.

The cabinet approved for it to be taught compulsorily in primary and secondary schools. Other languages like Luganda (most spoken) and other Bantu languages like Nyoro (by the Banyoro) and Tooro (by the Toro people) are also spoken.

When it comes to food, Ugandan cuisine is to die for. The cuisine is influenced by English, Arab and Asian flavours. From the domestically produced foods with matooke (boiled or mashed green bananas) being the staple food, to the famously known street foods like ‘the rolex’ (rolled eggs); these dishes will leave your taste buds asking for more.

Most people eat two meals a day, lunch and dinner. A typical Ugandan breakfast consists of a cup of porridge or tea; which is boiled milk or water usually spiced with fresh herbs like cinnamon (mdalasini), ginger (tangawizi) or lemon grass (kisubi).This is usually accompanied with a snack (samosa, chapatti, cake, etc.) or even katogo, a mixture of ingredients with the main key component of the dish being matooke and a sauce (beef, beans, groundnuts or offal).

Lunch usually has starch as a base, with sauces of beans, meat or Luwombo stew (includes chicken, fish, beef steamed in wrapped vegetables) to add flavour to it. The starch is maize meal, sweet potatoes and cassava.

For dinner, some will prefer to take a cup of tea or food. Other foods include white potatoes yams, pumpkins, and tomatoes. Some fruits such as oranges, paw-paws (papaya), the juicy sugarcanes and pineapples are also part of the delicacies.

Uganda exports various foodstuffs including fish and fish products, coffee and tea, among others. Agriculture being one of the important sectors.

With Uganda’s rich and diverse culture, the tourism sector continues to utilize different cultures and heritages that the country is gifted with. Tourism in Uganda is focused on Uganda's landscape and wildlife with tourist attractions like national game parks, game reserves, traditional sites, and natural tropical forests. It is therefore a major driver of employment, investment and foreign exchange.

Presently, the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities and the Uganda Tourism Board maintain information along with statistics pertaining to tourism for the country. There has been increased investment in tourism, particularly in travel accommodation and related facilities; this has enhanced tourists' experience in the country.

With the holiday season drawing closer, these are some of the plenty destinations that are a ‘must go-to’.

Queen Elizabeth National Park. Queen Elizabeth is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Africa as well as the most visited national parks in Uganda. Located in Western Uganda covering four districts (Kasese, Kamwenge, Rukungiri and Rubirizi), it prides in a great diversity of habitats that include: lakes, savannah grasslands, forests and wetlands that serve as home to the biggest variety of large mammals in the country.

The park is known for its abundant wildlife with 90 species of mammals like the African Elephant and over 600 bird species including the rare saddle-billed stork alongside other animal species like the waterbuck, Nile crocodile and the mighty king of the jungle, the lion.

Covering an area of 1,978km2, the park’s various attractions are worth the visit. The amazing sights include the unique hot air balloon safari that begins very early morning and will give you an aerial view of the park as you admire its unique terrain and thousands of animals and flora below you.

There’s the bird watching that’s possible all year round, the Tree Climbing Lions found in Ishasha sector, and the Kazinga Channel that connects Lakes Albert and George which is sailed on using the Kazinga boat ride.

Lake Bunyonyi. Another epic destination is the beautiful Lake Bunyonyi ("Place of many little birds") a fresh water vessel thought to be the second deepest lake in Africa after Lake Tanganyika. It is located in south-western Uganda between Kisoro and Kabale district and is close to the border with Rwanda near the Bwindi National Park.

Many tourists and travellers who undertake a Gorilla trekking safari in Uganda experience rest and relax at the beautiful lake as they enjoy probably the best scenery in the entire world, involve themselves into various cultural and community activities as well as birding and canoe rides. Other activities to engage in are zip lining, mountain biking, swimming in the lake and nature walks. All this and more can be done with more sights around the various islands.

Murchison Falls National Park. Locally known as Kabalega National Park, the park is situated at the end of the Albertine Rift valley and is Uganda’s oldest and largest Safari park, found in Masindi District. Murchison Falls National Park has got a lot to offer in terms of activities that will spice up your tour.

The Murchison Falls are the main attraction in the park. The River Nile falls into a gorge that is about 7 meters wide at the point of the falls and later falls 45 meters high to form a big splashing fog creating the magnificent Murchison Falls. It is definitely an amazing experience. Other activities at the falls include the game drives, boat cruise, and special activities like hiking the top of the falls and chimpanzee tracking in the popularly known Budongo Forest.

There’s a lot more sights and sounds to explore in Uganda, as portrayed in the recently launched new destination Uganda brand; “Explore Uganda” aimed at promoting Uganda as a competitive tourism destination. During the announcement that took place at the Uganda Tourism Board pavilion, Ochieng Bradford, deputy chief executive officer of the board, encouraged tourists to explore the natural, adventure, leisure, business and cultural attractions that Uganda has to offer.

From the office of the P.R.
Uganda Tourism Board (UTB).