Uganda explained to kids

Uganda, officially the Republic of Uganda, is a landlocked country in East Africa. Uganda is bordered to the east by Kenya, to the north by South Sudan, to the west by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, to the southwest by Rwanda, and to the south by Tanzania. The southern part of the country includes a substantial portion of Lake Victoria, shared with Kenya and Tanzania. Uganda is in the African Great Lakes region. Uganda also lies within the Nile basin, and has a varied but generally a modified equatorial climate. Uganda takes its name from the Buganda kingdom, which encompasses a large portion of the south of the country, including the capital Kampala. The people of Uganda were hunter-gatherers until 1,700 to 2,300 years ago, when Bantu-speaking populations migrated to the southern parts of the country. Beginning in 1894, the area was controlled by the British Empire, as a protectorate within the empire. Uganda gained independence from the UK on 9 October 1962. The period since then has been marked by intermittent conflicts, including a lengthy civil war against the Lord's Resistance Army in the Northern Region. The official languages are English and Swahili, although "any other language may be used as a medium of instruction in schools or other educational institutions or for legislative, judicial or administrative purposes as may be prescribed by law." Luganda, a central language, is widely spoken across the country, and several other languages are also spoken, including Runyoro, Runyankole, Rukiga, Luo and Acholi. The president of Uganda is Yoweri Museveni, who came to power in January 1986 after a protracted six-year guerrilla war. The ancestors of the Ugandans were hunter-gatherers until 1,700-2,300 years ago. Bantu-speaking populations, who were probably from central Africa, migrated to the southern parts of the country. According to oral tradition, the kingdom of Buganda was founded in the late 14th century by Kato Kintu. According to the constitution of Uganda, the president is the head of state and head of government. The president appoints a vice president, prime minister and cabinet. Uganda is a member of the East African Community, the Commonwealth of Nations, the Non-Aligned Movement and the African Union.