Discusses the traditions, culture, religion, media, literature, and arts of Uganda.

There is a good reason why Uganda is called "the Pearl of Africa." Beyond the ideal climate, abundant wildlife, and spectacular natural beauty, the friendly and good-humored Ugandan people make this country different. Drawn from more than twenty tribes, they represent a tapestry of traditions, ethnicities, and cultures. As a society they are devoutly religious and conservative; as individuals they are surprisingly laid back. English is widely spoken but there are many cultural pitfalls to be aware of--differences in expectations, customs, and ways of behaving.

Once notorious for the tyranny of Idi Amin, immortalized in the film The Last King of Scotland, Uganda has, for the last twenty-six years or so, struggled to overcome its negative image. It has largely been successful. Rated the best country to visit in 2012, it was one named of the best tourist destinations of 2013 by National Geographic magazine. In addition to its game parks, home to the Big Five, Uganda has one of the largest numbers of recorded bird species of any country. It is also the home of the famed mountain gorillas, and the mighty Nile River provides some of the best whitewater rafting in the world. Add to this an almost perfect climate and spectacular sightseeing, including the source of the Nile, Murchison Falls, the "little Switzerland" of Kabale, the volcanic lakes, and the Rwenzori Mountains, and one can understand why Winston Churchill called Uganda "the Pearl of Africa." But Uganda not only has wildlife and natural beauty to offer—the Ugandan people are what makes it different. Drawn from over fifty tribes, they make up a rich blend of traditions. You can sample this in dance and song performances by groups such as the Ndere Troup, or you can wander through the capital city, or any village, and get to know the local people, as English is widely spoken. You will find them sociable, warm, and hospitable. Kampala is famous as the social capital of East Africa, the city that never sleeps, where every kind of nightlife is on offer, and Ugandans have now been officially rated the happiest people in East Africa! All this is what makes Uganda special. Inevitably there are cultural pitfalls for the unwary traveler—differences in expectations, mores, and ways of behaving. This book provides key insights into Ugandan life and offers practical tips on how best to meet the Ugandan people on their own terms, vital information for tourists and businessmen alike.

"This handbook documents some key aspects of social cultural practices that foreigners visiting or wishing to stay and work in Uganda will find useful to understand. It illustrates Ugandan English, travel language and shopping language, safety tips and non-verbal communication from real-life experiences of people the author has met through cross-cultural courses, interviews, observations and research."--Jacket.

The cultures and customs of Uganda is one of the main subjects covered in the book. The work also focuses on the creation of a common national identity which binds the people of Uganda together as a single entity. Their common identity is unity in diversity reflected in the rich cultural complexity of one of the most fascinating countries on the African continent. The country has had its share of tragedies including civil wars at different times during its turbulent history. But it has remained largely intact. The book provides a comprehensive picture of Uganda as a nation with a cultural landscape that is unique in some fundamental respects in the region of East Africa where the people have so much in common in terms of culture and history. There are some scholarly insights here and there throughout the book. But the main purpose is to provide general information that can be used by members of the general public to learn many different things in terms of culture and customs, history and geography, and evolution of Uganda as a country and as a nation. The work was originally published under a different title, "Ethnicity and National Identity in Uganda." But its central thesis remains the same. Although it was not written for members of the academic community, some students may find this work to be useful. Tourists and others will be able to get a better picture of some cultural aspects of Uganda they may not have known before if they want to interact with the indigenous people when they visit this East African country.