Uganda Wildlife and Economy

Animals and Plants

The animal wealth is great in Uganda

The wealth of animals in Uganda is very great. It is true that the animal populations fell sharply between 1970 and 1990 because many poachers hunted animals. In the meantime, the animals in Uganda are being looked after more, as they attract tourists into the country and bring them money. Many animals are protected in national parks. This includes an island called Ngamba Island, which is located in Lake Victoria. Here you have chimpanzees settled and taking care of them.

Large game populations are slowly recovering in Uganda

The large game populations of rhinos, elephants and hippos are also recovering, but only slowly. The rhinos are almost completely extinct, both the black and white rhinos. However, different antelope species have spread widely. The Uganda Kob lives only in Uganda. Lions and leopards can be seen as well as zebras and many species of monkeys.

Famous mountain gorillas

The mountain gorillas that live in the Ruwenzori Mountains have achieved great fame. These became known through a researcher named Dian Fossey who worked for the survival of this species of monkey.

Even though there are the national parks and the many animal sanctuaries, land continues to be taken from animals. The poachers also keep appearing. Poaching has not yet been abolished; unfortunately, killing animals still makes money.

Diverse bird life in Uganda

The bird life of Uganda is extremely diverse. Due to the abundance of water, there are pelicans, herons and Egyptian geese who like to romp around the water. Rare animals such as the shoebill stork and the crowned crane should also be mentioned. The latter can be found in the coat of arms of Uganda. Take a look at the flag upstairs, you’ll see it too.

Well camouflaged!

The snakes in Uganda camouflage themselves so well that they are rarely spotted. The exception is perhaps the puff adder, which sometimes stays lying down, while their conspecifics usually quickly run away if people appear. The black mamba also has a home in Uganda. Their poison can be fatal.

But even harmless reptiles have a home in Uganda, such as the chameleons. But even these camouflage themselves so well that they are simply overlooked.

What is growing there in Uganda?

In Africa, rain often decides what grows or does not grow. Plant growth depends on the amount of precipitation. Since it rains enough in Uganda, many plants also grow here. Incidentally, the famous English politician named Winston Churchill once called Uganda the “Pearl of Africa” and meant the diversity and beauty of its landscapes.

Most of the country is covered by wet savannahs, which are characterized by tall grass and groups of trees and smaller forests. These also sometimes merge into a tropical mountain forest. You can find one in the Ruwenzori Mountains in the west of the country. Many endemic plants can be found here. Giant lobelia also grow herethat can grow several meters high.

But there are also areas where no trees can be found and which consist of dry savannas. Often these are semi-deserts. You can find these regions in the northeast. There are wetlands around the lakes, especially in the middle of the country.

Economy

Uganda has developed rapidly economically

Shortly after Uganda gained independence, it was one of the fast developing African countries. But the wars and bad economic policies quickly reversed the successes. But Uganda’s economic situation improved in the early 1990s. The government is doing a lot to ensure that companies from abroad create jobs in the country. So the situation of the people also improved.

Coffee from Uganda

In Uganda, 72 out of 100 people work in agriculture. But they are mostly self-sufficient, which means that they grow what they need to live. The share of agriculture in the gross domestic product is low, although many people find their livelihood there.

Are grown coffee – this is an important Ausfuhrgut -, cotton, tea and tobacco, as well as vanilla. Cotton production in particular is an important source of income for many families. In addition, there are now cut flowers and the cultivation of the popular aloe plant, which is said to have healing properties. Ugandans also plant cocoa, beans and bananas. Fish is also exported.

Organic or not organic?

Uganda is a fertile country, but drought disasters or too much rain affect agriculture. There is also no agreement as to whether the country should increasingly promote organic farming, which protects nature, or whether monocultures should be allowed more. The latter is faster and more profitable, but often destroys people’s livelihoods. For more articles on Uganda and Africa, please visit businesscarriers.

Oil discoveries

The service sector is important for the economy. This is followed by the manufacturing industry. The Ugandan government would like the industry to grow more rapidly, but there is too little energy in the country that would be necessary for industrial expansion on a larger scale.

For a long time Uganda was not believed to have any natural resources. However, oil has now been found and the oil production is now starting, which is supposed to bring money into the country. But it is not that simple, because parts of the oil are in Lake Albert, which is also in the neighboring country of the Congo.

Tourism in Uganda

Also the tourism is gaining in Uganda increasingly important. The country is considered relatively safe and so the number of people traveling to Uganda is increasing. Uganda alone has ten national parks to offer and a varied flora and fauna. Two thirds of the mountain gorillas still alive find their home in Uganda. For them it has its own reserves established.

Uganda also promotes ecotourism. Above all, the inhabitants of the country should be able to sell their products. As a result, the profits from tourism should remain in the country and with the population of Uganda and not go to international companies. If this succeeds, tourism could also reduce poverty in the country.