Uganda - Culture Smart!: The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture

Don’t just see the sights—get to know the people.

There are good reasons Uganda is called the Pearl of Africa. Beyond its ideal climate, abundant wildlife, and spectacular natural beauty, however, it is the friendly and good humored Ugandan people who 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.

Culture Smart! Uganda 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 travelers and businesspeople alike.

Have a richer and more meaningful experience abroad through a better understanding of the local culture. Chapters on history, values, attitudes, and traditions will help you to better understand your hosts, while tips on etiquette and communicating will help you to navigate unfamiliar situations and avoid faux pas.

Ian Clarke has lived in Uganda for more than thirty years. Born in Northern Ireland, he is also a Ugandan citizen and, as the Mayor of Makindye Division of Kampala, he was the first white elected politician. He first came to Uganda in 1987 after the civil war between Museveni s National Resistance Movement and the Obote regime ended. He writes a weekly social commentary in the Sunday Vision, Uganda s national newspaper, and has published two books, The Man with the Key has Gone and How Deep is this Pothole? Ian is a social entrepreneur and has founded a number of social businesses including two hospitals, Kiwoko Hospital and International Hospital, Clarke International University, Clarke Junior School, and Clarke Farm. He lives in Kampala with his wife and family.