Meet Favor From Uganda

By PAUL FALZONE

Name: Onyinge Favor

Age: 9

Languages Spoken: English and Luganda

Parents’ Jobs: Both are drivers

Favorite Food: Matoke (steamed green bananas)

Favorite Animal: Leopard

Favorite Subject in School: Religious education

Favorite Activity: Hide-and-seek

Uganda at a Glance:

Population: 35,873,253

Languages Spoken: English and Luganda

Geography: East-Central Africa

Religions: 42% Roman Catholic , 42% Protestant, 12% Muslim

Current President: Lt. Gen. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni

History:

When colonial Britain established the boundaries that would become Uganda, they brought together people from different backgrounds and cultures. Uganda gained its independence from Britain in 1962, but because Uganda was a mix of different cultures, the people could not form a working government. After much warfare, human rights abuses, an unknown number of deaths and the fleeing of thousands of refugees, President Museveni took over in 1986 and was able to bring some stability and economic growth to Uganda.

Learn a little Luganda:

Hi (informal): Ki kati

How are you?: Oli otya?

I am OK: Gyendi

Have a nice day: Siiba bulungi

(Country profile and flag courtesy CIA World Factbook)