About Uganda

The Country and People

Uganda has recently captured international attention through the blockbuster film The Last King of Scotland, which tells the story of the human rights abuses committed by Idi Amin during his political reign in the 1970s. While Uganda has been plagued by political instability and conflict, since 1986, when President Museveni came to power, the country has experienced growing stability and economic prosperity. The tourism industry has expanded rapidly, with international visitors attracted by the opportunity to see endangered gorillas and the Source of the Nile.

The Republic of Uganda - as it is officially known - is comprised of a wide range of ethnic groups, with diverse political systems and cultures. There are over 28 million people living in Uganda, with a land size of 199,550 sq km. That makes Uganda at least thirty times as densely populated as Australia! Uganda is located in East Africa, and is bordered by Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda and Congo as well as Lake Victoria - the world's second largest natural lake.

Uganda was colonised by Britain, and the official language of Uganda is English. There are at least 50 local languages, and in Katuulo the community speak both Lugandan and Acholi.

Organic Uganda

Uganda has a vibrant and active organic agriculture and food movement. It boasts the largest area under certified organic production in Africa - relative to country size - and this covers over 122,000 hectares. Certified organic production covers 0.99 percent of Uganda's agricultural land (Parrott et al., 2006). There are around 33,900 organic farms in Uganda, and these produce a diversity of certified organic products, including coffee, cocoa, vanilla, avocadoes, bananas, cotton, dried fruit, pineapples and sesame.

Close to all Ugandan certified organic products are destined for export markets, primarily in the European Union. Organic certification is a requirement for international market access, and is provided by a number of international organisations. Ugo-Cert - the national organic certification organization - launched a National domestic organic standard in 2004, and provides an increasing number of certification services within Uganda.

There are literally thousands of grassroots groups working to promote organic food systems and build local food security across Uganda. The national body, the National Association for Organic Agriculture Uganda (NOGAMU - Lugandan for 'harvest') undertake a range of advocacy, education, promotion services, alongside retail through their organic shop.