Uganda is a landlocked country in East Africa lying on the equator with Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Sudan and Democratic Republic of Congo as neighbours.
Soft Power Education is primarily based in Jinja, Uganda. Jinja is a beautiful town on the shores of the magnificent Lake Victoria, home to the source of the Nile where the White Nile begins its incredible journey through to the Mediterranean Sea. Jinja lies just two hours east of the capital city Kampala and approximately three hours from the main international airport at Entebbe. SPE also has projects based in the north west of Uganda in the Murchison Falls Conservation Area.
Quick Facts
Geography
- Total Area: 236,040 sq km
- Climate: Tropical. Dry seasons are December to February and June to August
- Terrain: Mostly plateau with a rim of mountains
- Lowest Point: Lake Albert 621m
- Highest Point: Mount Stanley 5,110m
- Natural Resources: copper, cobalt, hydropower, limestone, salt, arable land
Population
- Total Population: 32,369,558
- Age Structure: 0-14 years 50.0%; 15-64 years 47.9%; 65 years + 2.1%
- Population Growth: 2.692%
- Birth Rate: 47.84 / 1000 population
- Death Rate: 12.09 / 1000 population
- Infant Mortality Rate: 64.82 / 1000 live births
- Life Expectancy: 52.72 years
- HIV adult prevalence rate: 5.4%
- People living with AIDS: 940,000
- Literacy rates (2002 census) (age 15 and over can read and write): Male 76.8%, Female 57.7%, Total 66.8%
Ethnicity
- Groups: Baganda 16.9%, Banyakole 9.5%, Basoga 8.4%, Bakiga 6.9%, Iteso 6.4%, Langi 6.1%, Acholi 4.7%, Bagisu 4.6% Lugbara 4.2%, Bunyoro 2.7%, other 29.6%
- Religions: Roman Catholic 41.9%, Protestant 42% (Anglican 35.9%, Pentecostal 4.6%, Seventh Day Adventist 1.5%), Muslim 12.1%, other 3.1%, none 0.9%
- Languages: English is the official language used in schools, most newspapers, radio etc. However, each region has its own language too for example the Baganda speak Luganda and the Basoga speak Lusoga.
For a more detailed report go to The World Factbook website.
Jinja is one of 56 districts within Uganda, situated in Busoga and is lucky to enjoy a healthy tourism industry. This is largely due to the draw of the grade V rapids along the River Nile which people seem to enjoy throwing themselves down!
The majority of our volunteer activities are based at Bujagali Falls which is a raging mass of white water that you hear long before you see! Since 2003 we have worked in the sub counties of Budondo, Butagaya, Mafubira, Busedde, Buwenge Rural, as well as Bugembe Town Council. In the north west, our Murchison Falls Project is growing fast and alongside our Conservation Education Community Outreach Programme (CECOP) in the same vicinity, we have to date refurbished 9 primary schools.
