Uganda Geography
What is the terrain and geography like in Uganda?
Overview
Uganda is located on a fertile plateau in the center of Africa at an average altitude of 4,000 feet. The plateau is bordered on the east by the Kenya Highlands and Mount Elgon (14,178 feet) and on the west by the Rwenzori Mountains (16,791 feet). It is crossed diagonally from southeast to northwest by the Nile River, which begins its journey to the Mediterranean near the town of Jinja on Lake Victoria, about 50 miles from the capital, Kampala.Kampala has over a million residents and lies near the shores of Lake Victoria about 20 miles north of the Equator. Its altitude ranges from 3,622 to 4,500 feet. Built on a number of low-lying hills, the city is surrounded by green rolling countryside dotted with small farms. These farms grow mostly matooke bananas, cassava, and maize, the main staple foods of Uganda.
Geography - note
landlocked; fertile, well-watered country with many lakes and rivers
Climate
The average temperature in Kampala ranges from a high of 85 degrees F at noon to a low of 60 at night. The temperature changes more during the course of each day than it does from season to season. The hottest weather occurs from October through March.Kampala has an annual rainfall of about 63 inches. During the rainy seasons—March to April and September to October—the weather is cooler. Frequent, heavy thunderstorms last from 30 minutes to 1 hour. It seldom rains an entire day, even during the so-called rainy seasons. Wind gusts that accompany downpours are sometimes strong enough to knock down tree limbs and even an occasional tree. Red murram dust, which can be a particular problem during dry periods, effects Kampala dwellers when venturing beyond the main asphalt roads.
Uganda Use of Natural Resources
Uganda Environment
Climate:
The average temperature in Kampala ranges from a high of 85 degrees F at noon to a low of 60 at night. The temperature changes more during the course of each day than it does from season to season. The hottest weather occurs from October through March.Kampala has an annual rainfall of about 63 inches. During the rainy seasons—March to April and September to October—the weather is cooler. Frequent, heavy thunderstorms last from 30 minutes to 1 hour. It seldom rains an entire day, even during the so-called rainy seasons. Wind gusts that accompany downpours are sometimes strong enough to knock down tree limbs and even an occasional tree. Red murram dust, which can be a particular problem during dry periods, effects Kampala dwellers when venturing beyond the main asphalt roads.
Terrain:
mostly plateau with rim of mountains
Natural Resources:
copper, cobalt, hydropower, limestone, salt, arable land
Natural Hazards:
NA
Irrigated Land:
56 Square Miles144 Square Kilometers
Environmental Issues:
draining of wetlands for agricultural use; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; water hyacinth infestation in Lake Victoria; poaching is widespread
Environment - International Agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Environmental ModificationUganda Geography
| Geographic Location | Africa |
| Total Area |
93,065 Square Miles 241,038 Square Kilometers |
| Land Area |
76,100 Square Miles 197,100 Square Kilometers |
| Water Area |
16,964 Square Miles 43,938 Square Kilometers |
| Land Boundaries |
1,676 Miles 2,698 Kilometers |
| Irrigated Land |
56 Square Miles 144 Square Kilometers |
| Border Countries | Democratic Republic of the Congo 765 km, Kenya 933 km, Rwanda 169 km, Sudan 435 km, Tanzania 396 km |
| Geographic Coordinates | 1 00 N, 32 00 E |
| Terrain | mostly plateau with rim of mountains |
| Highest Point | 5,110 Meters |
| Highest Point Location | Margherita Peak on Mount Stanley 5,110 m |
| Lowest Point | 621 Meters |
| Lowest Point Location | Lake Albert 621 m |
| Natural Resources | copper, cobalt, hydropower, limestone, salt, arable land |
| Time Zone | UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) |