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P.5 SOCIAL STUDIES LESSON NOTES TERM I, 2018

TOPIC 1: LOCATION OF UGANDA ON THE MAP OF EAST AFRICA.

REVISION OF DISTRICTS OF UGANDA

1. Using an atlas, answer the following questions;
a) Mention the districts found in the following regions
i. Eastern region
ii. Western region
iii. Central region
iv. North Eastern region
v. North western region
vi. Southern region
2. Give any two highland districts of Uganda.
3. Mention the island districts of Uganda.
4. Give any two districts found in Karamoja region.
5. Name the districts that lie along the Equator.
6. Why is road netwok not well developed in the districts of Kabale, Kisoro and Bundibugyo?
7. Who is the political head of a district?
8. Name the district of Uganda where the capital city is located.
9. Write the following in full;
a. R.D.C
b. C.A.O
c. D.E.O

Why the government is creating more districts in Uganda.

1. To bring services nearer to people (To improve service delivery)
2. To provide employment.
3. To develop the area.

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Locating the neighbours of Uganda using a compass direction

Compass direction

The compass direction has four cardinal points and these are;
1. North 3. East
2. South 4. West

The semi cardinals / secondary points are between the cardinal points and these are:
1. North East (N.E)
2. North West (N.E)
3. South East (S.E)
4. South West (S.W)

Cardinal points and semi cardinal points

Example 1
a.) What is the direction of town A from town B?

Exercise
i. What direction will Okello face if he turns clock wise through an angle of;
i) 450? ii) 900?

a.) What direction will Okello face if he turns anti-clockwise through;

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 i) 1800? ii) 2700?

Direction of Uganda’s neighbours.

Questions
1. What is the direction of;
a.) Uganda from Kenya?
b.) Democratic Republic of Congo from Uganda?
c.) Rwanda from Uganda?
d.) Uganda from Rwanda?
e.) Name the country that is found to the following directions
 North
 South West
f.) What is the direction of your school from;
 Namirembe cathedral?

Lines of latitude
These are imaginary lines drawn on a map running from East to West or vice versa.
Major latitudes
a.) The equator.
i. It is the main latitude and it is marked 00 because all the other lines of latitude are marked
beginning from it.
ii. It divides the world into two equal hemispheres i.e. Northern and Southern.
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 iii. The lines of latitude are also called parallels.
iv. The term latitude means distance of a place north of the equator.
Some of the districts of Uganda crossed by the Equator are
i. Kasese iv. Ibanda
ii. Mukono v. Wakiso
iii. Kiruhura
Lakes in Uganda crossed by the Equator
i. Lake Victoria
ii. L. George
Countries in Africa crossed by the Equator.
i. Uganda iv. Somalia
ii. Kenya v. Gabon
iii. DR Congo vi. Congo Brazzaville
Other major lines of latitude are;
Tropic of cancer 23½0 N.
Tropic of Capricorn 23½0S.

Lines of latitude on a globe

North Pole

Northern 0
Arctic Circle 66½ N
Hemisphere
Tropic of cancer 23½0N

Equator 00

Southern Tropic of Capricorn 23½0S

Hemisphere Antarctic circle 66½0 S

South Pole

Importance of latitudes
i.) They help to locate places on a map
ii.) The equator help to determine how far a place is North or South from it.
iii.) They help to determine the climate areas.

Lines of longitude.
i.) They are imaginary lines drawn on a map crossing from North to South.
ii.) Longitudes sometimes are called Meridians.

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Major longitudes.

a.) Prime meridian / Greenwich meridian.

i.) The prime meridian is the main longitude and it is marked 00 because all other lines of longitude
are marked beginning from it.
ii.) The prime meridian is also called the Greenwich meridian because it passes through a
Town in England called Greenwich.
iii.) In Africa the Greenwich meridian passes through a city called Accra in Ghana.
Countries in Africa crossed by the Prime meridian are;
i.) Ghana iv.) Algeria
ii.) Mali
iii.) Burkina Faso
Importance of the Prime meridian.
i.) It helps to determine time in GMT (Greenwich Mean Time)
ii.) It helps to locate places on a map.
b) The International Date Line
It marked 1800E or W of the Greenwich and it helps to determine the date.

Importance of longitudes.
i.) They help in telling time in Greenwich Mean Time (GMT)
ii.) Longitude helps to locate places on a map.
Lines of longitude

Similarities between longitudes and latitudes.

 Both are imaginary lines drawn on maps.
 Both are used to locate places.
Activity
1. Define the following terms;
i. Lines of latitude
ii. Lines of longitude
2. What do the following mean?

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 i. Longitude
ii. Latitude
3. Name two neighbours of Uganda that are crossed by the equator
4. Name two districts in eastern Uganda that are crossed by the equator
5. Name two lakes in Uganda that are both in the southern and northern hemisphere
6. Mention any one importance of lines of latitude and lines of longitude
7. Why was the Greenwich meridian called so?
8. State one reason as to why the North Pole and South Pole are very called regions
Movement of the earth

a.) Rotation of the earth

This is the movement / spinning of earth a long its axis for 24 hrs. or one day. An axis is an imaginary
path along which the Earth spins for one day or 24 hours. The earth spins from West to East that is why
the sun seems to be rising from the East.

Effects of rotation.
It causes days and nights.

This is because the side of the Earth that faces the sun experiences day while the other side experiences
night.

b.) Revolution of the earth

Revolution of the earth is the movement of the earth a long its orbit for 365 ¼ days or one year.

Effect of revolution.
It causes seasons of the year.

Note
i.) There are two types of year i.e.:
 Leap year is the fourth year of every four years, which has 366 days.
 It has 29 days of February and has no remainder when divided by four.
 Ordinary year is the year when the month of February has 28 days and the year has 365¼ days.

ii.) The revolution of the earth also causes the sun to come directly overhead the equator twice and once
over the two tropics, in a year.
iii.) On 21st March and 23rd September the sun is overhead the equator and these two days are called
equinox meaning having equal days and nights.
iv.) On 21st June the sun is over head the tropic cancer and in this period the Northern hemisphere
receives more rainfall than the South.
v.) On 22nd December the sun is overhead the tropic of Capricorn and in this period the Southern
hemisphere receive more rainfall than the North.
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 A map showing lines of longitude and latitude.
300E 310E 320E 330E 340E 350E

40N 40N

30N 30N

20N 20N

10N 10N

00 00

10S 10S
310E 320E 330E 340E 350E 360E
Geographically Uganda lies between latitude 4½0 N
and 1½0S, and between longitudes and 290E and
350E

Location of Uganda on the map of East Africa

i.) Uganda is located in Eastern Africa specifically in East Africa.
ii.) Uganda is the smallest East African country, with an area of 241038 Sq. kilometers.
iii.) Uganda was called “the pearl of Africa” by Sir Winston Churchill, because of Uganda’s beautiful
sceneries.
iv.) Uganda is a landlocked country, because it doesn’t have its own Seaport or a coastline.
v.) Other examples of landlocked countries in Eastern Africa are;
 Rwanda  South Sudan
 Burundi  Ethiopia
vi.) Uganda uses her neighbors’ seaports for overseas trade e.g.
 Mombasa in Kenya  Dar es Salaam in Tanzania

NB: Uganda has to maintain good relation with Kenya and Tanzania because we use their seaport.
Location of Uganda on the map of East Africa.

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Problems faced by landlocked countries
i) Paying taxes for using neighbours’ seaports
ii) Goods may be stolen in transit.
iii) Goods may be delayed in transit.
iv) Goods may get dam aged or spoilt in transit.

Solutions to problems of landlocked countries.

i) By having good relationship with neighbours.
ii) By promoting industrialization to minimize payment of taxes.
Activity
1) Define the following terms as used in earth movements
a) Rotation
b) Revolution
2) Why do learners in Namirembe Parents experience day and night?
3) What helps people to experience different seasons in a year?
4) The revolution of the earth also causes the sun to come directly overhead the equator. Mention the
two days when the sun is directly overhead the equator
5) Define the term equinoxes
6) Why do we call Uganda a landlocked country?
7) Mention Uganda’s neighbours that are landlocked
8) Write down two problems that are faced by both Uganda and South Sudan as landlocked countries
9) Write down two solutions to problems faced by landlocked countries.

Elements of a good map.

i) A title/ Heading iv) A scale
ii) A key v) A compass direction
iii) A frame

a.) Title / Heading

It tells a map-reader what the map is about.

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b.) Key
It helps a map-reader to interpret symbols used on a map.

A map symbol is a drawing used on a map to represent features that can’t fit on a map.

Importance of symbols
i) They reduce congestion and overcrowding on a map.
ii) To represent features that can’t fit a map e.g. a mountain peak, a river, a lake etc.

b.) Scale.
It enables map reader to find / calculate the actual distance on a map.

Types of scale
There are three types of scales.

i) Statement
It’s written in statement form e.g. 1am represents 50 km.

ii) Linear scale

It’s put on lines as shown below.

iii) Representative fraction (RF)

1 1 1
It’s written in fraction forms e.g. , , , which can also be written in form of ratios as
10 100 1000
1:10, 1; 100, and 1:1000

How to calculate actual distance using a scale.

1 cm represents 50 km.
1cm: 50 km
Distance on paper = 5 cm
Actual distance = 5 x 50 = 250 km
So 5cm on the paper represents 250 km on the ground

A frame
It helps in the positioning of the map
It encloses the map.
Activity
1. Of what importance are the following to a map reader?
 scale
 title
 compass direction

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2. What challenge will a map reader have when he/she finds a map without a scale?
3. Why does a map reader use a key while reading a map?
4. The distance from Jinja to Kampala on a map is 5cm. Calculate the actual distance using the scale
of 1cm rep 20km.
5. How is a frame Important to a map reader?

TOPIC 2
THE PHYSICAL FEATURES OF UGANDA

Physical features are landforms of the earth’s surface and the examples are:
i) Mountains iv) Lakes
ii) Plateau v) Rivers
iii) Rift valley

Map of Uganda showing main physical features.

Plateau
Plateau is a raised, flat-topped piece of land.
The plateau in Southern Uganda is on a higher altitude
than those in Northern Uganda; that is why river Nile
flows northwards.
Importance of plateaus.
i) Plateaus are good settlement.
ii) Plateaus are good grazing land
iii) Plateaus are good for crop growing.

Economic activities carried out on the plateau are:

i) Grazing cattle
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ii) Tourism
iii) Industrialization.
iv) Crop growing.

Activity
1. What are physical features?
2. Mention any two physical features found in western Uganda
3. Write down one way in which physical features are politically important
4. Name any two physical features that were formed as a result of the following processes
a) –volcanicity
b) –faulting
c) -down warping
5. State one reason as to why river Nile flows northwards
6. How important is a plateau to the construction industry?
7. Mention any one economic activity done on the plateau

The mountains or highlands of Uganda.

i) Relief is the general appearance of the landscape.
ii) Altitude is the height above sea level.
iii) Altitude is measured using an Altimeter, in meters.

The major mountains of Uganda are:

a.) Mt. Rwenzori (5109 M)
i) It is located in Western Uganda and its highest peak is Margherita and second highest peak in
Stanley.
ii) It is only Block Mountain in Uganda.
iii) Mt. Rwenzori was named “mountains of the moon” by Henry Morton Stanley because its
snowcapped peak looked like a rising moon.

b.) Mt. Elgon (4321 m)

i) Mt Elgon is a volcanic mountain found in the Eastern Uganda (Uganda – Kenya boarder).
ii) Its highest peak is called Wagagai.

c.) Mt. Mufumbiro (4127 m)

i) Mt. Mufumbiro is found in the extreme South-Western part of Uganda.
ii) Its highest peak is called Mahavura other peaks are Sabinyo and Gakinga.

d.) Mt. Moroto (3084 m)

i) It is found in the North Eastern region of Uganda.
ii) It is a volcanic mountain, which is an Inselburg / Residual mountain in nature.
iii) Little rainfall received throughout the year.
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 iv) They graze animals in the slope of this mountain.

Other small mountains include Kadama and Napak.

Types of mountains in Uganda.

i) Block / Horst mountains ii) Volcanic mountains
a.) Block mountains / horst.
i) Block Mountains are mountains that were formed by the process of faulting, due to
compression forces.
ii) The only example of Block Mountains or Horst Mountains in Uganda is Mt. Rwenzori.

Formation of Block Mountains.

Step 1 Step 2
A B
horst / block

Compression forces
Faults Compressional forces

b.) Volcanic mountains

These are mountains formed by volcanicity or due to volcanic eruptions.

Volcanicity is the process by which molten rocks (magma) or gases from earth’s crust are forced to come
on to the earth’s surface.
Activity
1. What is relief?
2. Name the instrument used to measure the height of an area above sea level
3. How was the formation of mountain Rwenzori different from that of mountain Elgon?
4. How is the location mountain Rwenzori different from that of mountain Elgon?
5. What helps mountain Rwenzori to be snow capped throughout the year?
6. Which people are found on the slopes of mountain Elgon?
7. What other name is given to block mountains?

Features formed by volcanicity are;

i) Volcanic mountains iv) Inselbergs / residual mountains.
ii) Volcanic lakes(crater lakes) v) Cones
iii) Hot springs vi) Plugs.

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Sometimes the magma solidifies within the vent and is later exposed due to soil erosion.
This process is called volcanicity e.g.
i) Inselburgs (Mt. Moroto)
ii) A plug (Osukuru hills in Tororo)
Formation of a volcano.

Types of volcanoes
There are three groups of volcanic mountains.

a.) Active volcanoes.

These are mountains that have erupted in the last 500 years e.g. Mufumbiro.

b.) Dormant or sleeping volcanoes

They have taken 500 years without erupting but may erupt again in near future e.g. Elgon

c.) Dead or extinct volcanoes.

These are mountains that are no longer expected to erupt again e.g.

Dangers of volcanic activities.

i) It can destroy life and property
ii) It pollutes the environment.
iii) It destroys transport and communication lines.

Importance of mountains
i) Mountains help in the formation of relief rainfall.
ii) Mountains are tourist attractions.
iii) Mountains are habitats for wildlife i.e. animals, birds and plants.
iv) Some mountains have mineral deposits e.g. Limestone in Hima/Kasese and copper in
Kilembe/Kasese on the slopes of Mt. Rwenzori.
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v) Mountains are sources of rivers e.g. R. Manafwa, R. Sipi, R. Namatala, R. Malaba
vi) Mountains have fertile slopes for crop farming.
vii) A mountain is a habitat for a variety of wild species.

Disadvantages of mountains.
i) Mountains encourage soil erosion and landslides/mudslides.
ii) Mountains hinder Transport and communication.
iii) Mountains are habitat to vectors and pests
iv) Some mountains can erupt and destroy life and property
Activity
1. State the three types of volcanic mountains
2. Why is it dangerous to settle near a dormant volcano?
3. Mention two physical features that are formed as a result of volcanicity
4. Name the opening through which the magma comes out to the surface
5. What is volcanicity?
6. What is the relationship between a crater lake and a hot spring?
7. How are mountains important to people who settle near them?
8. Why is mountain Elgon referred to as a dormant volcano?

THE WESTERN RIFT VALLEY

i) A rift valley is a long, narrow depression with escarpments on the earth’s surface.
ii) The Western rift valley is part of the great East African rift valley that has two arms i.e. the Eastern
and Western arm.
iii) The Western arm of the rift valley passes through Uganda.

Formation of the rift valley.

i) The rift valley was formed by the process of faulting.
ii) The forces that led to the formation of rift valley are: Tensional and compression forces.
iii) A fault is a deep crack on the earth’s surface.
iv) The steep sides of the rift valley are called Escarpments.

Diagram showing formation of a rift valley.

Formation by tensional forces Formation by Compressional forces

Tensional Tensional forces Compressional Compressional

forces
forces forces

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Lakes in the Western rift valley in Uganda:
i) L. Albert iii) L. George
ii) L. Edward iv) L. Katwe.

Lakes not in the rift valley in Uganda.

i) Lake Victoria iv) Lake Kwania
ii) Lake Kyoga v) Lake Opeta
iii) Lake Nabugabo vi) Lake Bisina

Importance of rift valleys

i) Rift valleys are tourist attractions.
ii) Rift valleys have rift valley lakes that are fishing ground.
iii) Rift valley regions have mineral deposits e.g. salt in Lake Katwe and oil in A libertine belt.
iv) Rift valley region is a grazing land.

Disadvantages of rift valleys.

i) Rift valleys are a barrier to transport and communication.
ii) Rift valley region has many pests and vectors e.g. Tsetse flies.
iii) Rift valley region is in the rain shadow (I.e. little rainfall in received)
iv) There is excessive heat in the rift valley, which is not suitable for human settlement.
v) The roads in the rift valley are slippery and muddy, therefore, impassable.
Activity
1. What is a rift valley?
2. Which arm of the rift valley passes through Uganda?
3. What is faulting?
4. Why is human settlement difficult on the escarpments?
5. Write down two problems associated to the rift valley
6. State any two ways in which the rift valley is important to people
7. Name any one force that is involved in the formation of a rift valley
8. What is the relationship between Lake Edward and Lake Albert?

LAKES IN Uganda
Definition: A lake is a depression on the earth’s surface with stagnant water.

Types of lakes
a.) Down warped/Crustal Depression lakes.
i) They were formed by down warping.
ii) Examples are L. Victoria, L.Kyoga, L. Kwania, L. Bisina, L. Opeta, etc

Characteristics of down warped lakes.

i) They have fresh water.
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ii) They are shallow that is why they are swampy.

b.) Rift valley lakes

i) They were formed by faulting.
ii) They lie along the rift valley.
iii) Examples are L. Albert, L. George and L. Edward.

Characteristics of rift valley lakes.

i) They are salty iii) They are along in shape.
ii) They are deep iv) They have inland drainage.

Why rift valley lakes are salty

i) They have no outlets/inland drainage
ii) They lie on salty rocks.
iii) They have salty ashes’.

c.) Ox – bow lakes

i) They are formed as a result of meandering and deposition of materials on the river banks.
ii) Examples of ox-bow lakes are found on R. Semiliki and R. Ruizi

Diagram showing an Ox-bow lake.

Step 1 Step 2 Step 3

c.) Deposition / Lagoon lakes

Lagoon lakes are formed by deposition i.e. sand or silt cut off some water from the main water body
forming lagoon lake e.g. Lake Nabugabo.

d.) Man-made lakes

They are formed as a result of damming of rivers or physical dug out by man e.g. Kabaka’s lake, Kajjansi
Lake and Kibimba Lake.

e.) Volcanic lakes

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They are three examples of volcanic lakes i.e.

i) Crater lakes
1. They are found on top of dead volcanic mountains.
2. They are formed when water fills the hole left after volcanic eruptions e.g. L. Katwe.

ii) Caldera lakes

They are formed when volcanic eruption leaves large rounded depressions on top of volcanoes e.g. on
top of Mt. Napak.

iii) Lava dammed / blocked lakes.

They are formed when larva blocks a river course forming a lake e.g. L. Bunyonyi, L. Mutanda etc.

The main lakes of Uganda.

a.) L. Victoria
i) It is the largest fresh water lake in Uganda, Africa and the World.
ii) It is shared by the three East African Countries.
iii) It was formed by down warping.
iv) It has inland ports like Port Bell, Bukakkata and Jinja.
v) The shores of lake Victoria and densely populated because:
 The soils are fertile
 There are reliable
 There is fishing
 There are employment opportunities due to industrialization.

b.) Lake Kyoga

i) It is found in Central Uganda. It is the swampiest lake in Uganda.
ii) It is swampy because it is shallow.

c.) Lake George & Edward.

i) They are rift valley lakes and they are joined together by the Kazinga channel
ii) The kazinga channel has many hippos thus a major tourist attraction.
d.) L. Albert.
i) It is a rift valley lake formed by faulting.
ii) Its lake port is Butiaba.
ACTIVITY
1. What is a lake?
2. Write down three types of lakes found in Uganda
3. What makes Lake Kyoga to be the swampiest lake in Uganda?
4. Why do Lake Victoria shores have many people?
5. Name any two manmade lakes found in Uganda
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6. Write down one reason why rift valley lakes have salty water.
7. Mention two human activities done on lake Victoria
8. How is Port Butiaba different from Port Mombasa?

Importance of lakes
i) They provide water irrigation, industrial and domestic use.
ii) Lakes are fishing grounds.
iii) Lakes are tourist attractions.
iv) Lakes help in rainfall formation.
v) Lakes provide water transport.
vi) Some lakes are source of minerals e.g. salt from L. Katwe and Petroleum/oil in Lake Albert.
vii) They are habitats to aquatic animals e.g. Fish crocodiles, hippos etc.

Disadvantages of lakes.
i) Lakes occupy land for settlement.
ii) Lakes harbor dangerous aquatic animals e.g. crocodiles, snakes.
iii) Floods may occur leading to loss of life and property.
iv) They harbor disease vectors.

Problems facing lakes.

i) Pollution from dumping.
ii) Water weeds e.g. water hyacinth.
iii) Low water levels due to drought.
RIVERS OF UGANDA
i) A river is a large natural stream of water flowing in a channel
ii) Most rivers begin from highland areas because:
 Highland areas receive heavy rainfall.
 Some mountains peaks have snow, which melts down to create rivers.

Terms associated with rivers:

a.) A source is where a river starts.
b.) A mouth is where a river ends.
c.) A watershed is a stretch of highland separating two/more rivers.
d.) A basin is an area drained by a river and its tributaries.
e.) An estuary is an open mouth of a river.
f.) A delta is a mouth of a river made up of distributaries.
g.) A distributary is a small river leaving the main one.
h.) A tributary is a small river joining the main one.
i.) A confluence is a place where two or more rivers meet.
j.) Meanders are bends of rivers.
The main rivers of Uganda.
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a.) River Nile.
i) It is the longest river in Uganda, Africa and the world.
ii) It begins from Lake Victoria in Uganda and ends in Mediterranean Sea in Egypt.
iii) The Nile flows northwards because the North is on a lower altitude.
iv) The Nile has three parts (Victoria Nile, Albert and White Nile)
v) Water falls
vi) Nile valley countries (Uganda, South Sudan, Sudan, Egypt)

River Achwa
It is a tributary of the Nile found in the northern part of Uganda.

River Katonga.
It joins L. George to L. Victoria.

River Semliki
It flows into Lake Albert
It has a delta and oil deposits.

Importance / advantages of rivers to man.

i) They help in generation of Hydro Electric Power.
ii) Rivers provide water transport.
iii) Rivers help in formation of rainfall.
iv) Rivers are homes of aquatic animals.
v) Rivers are sources of fish.
vi) Rivers provide water for irrigation, industrial and home use.
vii) Some rivers have mineral deposits e.g. R. Semliki and R. Nile have oil.

Disadvantages of rivers.
i) Some rivers destroy life and property when they flood.
ii) Waterfalls and rapids hinder navigation.
iii) Rivers hinder the development of roads and railways.
iv) Rivers are breeding places for vectors.

Reasons why some rivers are not navigable.

i) Some rivers have waterfalls.
ii) Some rivers have suds (floating vegetation/ Islands) / water weeds.
iii) Existence of dams on same rivers.
iv) Some rivers have rocks on their floor.
v) Dangerous aquatic animals.
N.B. Some of the power stations found on R. Nile in Uganda are:
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 i) Nalubaale power station iii) Kiira power station
ii) Bujagali power station

Uganda exports her hydro electricity to

i) Kenya
ii) Tanzania
iii) Rwanda
Activity
1. How Owen is falls dam (Nalubaale) important to Uganda?
2. Mention any other dam which has been built on river Nile
3. Give two reasons why water transport is sometimes difficult on Victoria Nile
4. How are rivers a danger to people who live near them?
5. Name the water body that joins lake George to lake Victoria
6. Define the following terms
a) Delta
b) Tributary
c) Source
7. State one reason as to why river Nile flows north wards
8. Name two countries where Uganda exports her hydro electricity

INFLUENCE OF PHYSICAL FEATURES ON;

i. Climate
-mountains influence the formation of relief rainfall.
-lakes influence the formation of convection rainfall.
-plains influence the formation of cyclonic rainfall.
ii. Vegetation
-Some lakes have swampy surroundings
- On a mountain, dense vegetation is found on the foothills and vegetation becomes scanty
towards the top.
- There is swamp vegetation along rivers.
-The rift valley has savanna grassland.
iii. Animals and people
-water bodies are habitat of some animals.
-People carry out fishing on water bodies.
-People carry out farming on slopes of mountains.

Fishing in Uganda
i) Fishing is the catching of fish from water bodies.
ii) People who catch fish are fishermen.
iii) People who sell fish are fishmongers.
iv) Sources of fish are: lakes, rivers, swamps and ponds etc.
v) The largest fish caught is the Nile perch
vi) Other types of fish are Catfish, Lungfish, mudfish, Silver fish etc.
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vii) Fish farming is becoming common in Uganda i.e. keeping of fish in ponds.

Methods of catching fish.

i) By using fishing nets
ii) By using fishing spears.
iii) By using baskets
iv) By using hooks.
v) By digging

Methods of preserving fish.

i) By smoking
ii) By salting
iii) By sun drying
iv) By tinning / canning
v) By freezing

Uganda exports her fish (fillets) to:

i) Sudan iv) Kenya vii) Germany
ii) Britain v) France viii) Egypt.
iii) D.R Congo vi) Rwanda

Importance of fish to man.

i) Fish is eaten
ii) It’s a source of income.
iii) Fishing creates an employment
iv) Fish is source of medicine
v) Fish bones are used for making fertilizers and animals’ feeds.

Fish processing factories in Uganda.

i) Gomba iii) Kasenyi
ii) Masese iv) Katunguru

N.B.
UFEL – Uganda Fish Enterpises Limited
TUFMAN – The Uganda Fish Mraketing Company.

ACTIVITY
1. What is fishing?
2. Write down two traditional methods of catching fish
3. Mention any two modern methods of preserving fish
4. Name the commonest type of fish caught in Uganda
5. How is a fisher monger important to people in society?
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6. Why is the method of preserving by tinning not common in Uganda?
7. How do mountains influence the climate of an area?

Problems facing the fishing industry

i) Over fishing
ii) Poor storage facilities
iii) Water pollution
iv) Poor system and means of transport.
v) Existence of water hyacinth/weeds
vi) Poor fishing tools etc.

Solutions to problems facing the fishing industry.

i) Improve on roads
ii) Storage facilities should be improved.
iii) Government should find market for fish overseas/outside.
iv) Removing the water hyacinth by harvesting
v) The government can also give soft loans to fishermen to help them acquire good storage and
transport facilities etc.

Problems caused by the waterweeds.

i) It makes navigation difficult
ii) It harbours dangerous aquatic animals e.g. snakes.
iii) It suffocates fish.
iv) It makes water dirty
v) It tears fishing nets.
vi) It covers fishing grounds.

How to fight the water hyacinth

i) By removing using hands (i.e. manual methods)
ii) By removing using machines/harvesters (mechanical method)
iii) By spraying with chemicals (chemical method)
iv) By using other living organisms (Biological method)

Uses of the water weeds.

i) It is used for making baskets.
ii) It is used for making manure.
iii) It is used for making animal feeds.
iv) It is used for mulching gardens
Activity
1. Write down two problems facing the fishing industry
23
 2. How do most people in Uganda
preserve fish?
3. How is smoking of fish dangerous to
the environment?
4. Explain why there are few trees near
the fishing areas in Uganda
5. Suggest two main problems facing
the fishing industry in Uganda
6. Outline two possible solutions to the
above problems
7. Give two ways in which water weeds
affect fishing in Uganda
8. How can the water weed be useful
to farmers?

TOPIC 3
THE CLIMATE OF UGANDA.

i) Climate is the average weather conditions of a place determined a long period of time.
ii) There are two aspects (components) of climate.
 Temperature
 Rainfall
iii) Isotherms are lines drawn on a map to show places with the same temperature.
iv) Contours are lines draw n on a map to show places with the same altitude.
v) Isobars are lines draw n on a map to show places with the same pressure.
vi) Isohyets are lines drawn on a map to show places with the same rainfall.

CLIMATIC REGIONS OF UGANDA.

A climatic region refers to an area covered by a particular type of climate and the climatic regions of
Uganda are:
i) Equatorial region iii) Semi-Arid or semi-desert region.
ii) Tropical region iv) Montane
A MAP OF UGANDA SHOWING CLIMATIC REGIONS.

24
1

Name the climatic regions shown on the above map.

1
2
3
4

TYPES OF CLIMATE.
Equatorial climate
i) Equatorial climate is described as “hot and wet” throughout the year.
ii) This climate is mostly experienced around Lake Victoria.
iii) The highest rainfall is received in the months of March and September because that is when the sun
is overhead the equator.
iv) Economic activities in Equatorial region are:
 Lumbering (main)
 Plantation farming/Crop growing
 Tourism
 Fishing

Tropical climate
i) This region experiences “Long wet seasons with short dry period (spell)”.
ii) The most part of Uganda experiences tropical climate.
iii) Economic activities done in the tropical, regions are:
 Tourism (main)
 Arable farming /Crop growing
 Cattle keeping
 Bee keeping
iv) Most national game parks of Uganda are found in the tropical region /Savannah vegetation because:
25
  Savannah has plenty pasture for the wild animals.
 Savannah is open grassland – allowing animal to roam freely.
 Savannah provides shelter/protection to wild animals.

Semi –arid climate

i) The semi –arid climatic region is experienced in the North Eastern /Karamoja region (Kotido,
Kaabong, Nakapiripirt and Marot)
ii) And also the Ankole corridors (Nakasongola, Lyantonde, Sembabule and Kayunga).
iii) The region is generally dry with little rainfall.

Economic activities in semi-desert areas.

i) Cattle keeping (main)
ii) Tourism i.e. Kidepo valley national park.
iii) Growing of quick maturing and drought resistant crops like sorghum, millet.

NB:
i) However, irrigation ca n be encouraged by the government to increase crop production in semi-desert
areas of Uganda.
ii) The Karamojong live in semi-arid areas of Uganda that is why they practice nomadic pastoralism.

Problems faced by the Karamojong.

i) Shortage of water.
ii) Shortage of pasture
iii) Cattle of rustling
iv) Keep poor breeds of cattle.

Solutions to problems facing the Karimojong

i) Government should provide valley dams to provide water for the animals.
ii) Providing improved veterinary services.
iii) Provision of security to curb cattle rustling.
Activity

1. What is climate?
2. Mention the two aspects of climate
3. Define the following terms
 isotherms
 isohyets
4. Describe the equatorial climate.
5. What type of climate is found in Karamoja region?
6. Why does Karamoja region receive little rainfall?
7. Write down two major economic activities done in Equatorial region
26
 8. What is cattle rustling?
9. Write down two problems faced by Karimojong in their activities

Factors that influence climate

a.) Latitude
i) This is the distance of am place North or South from the Equator.
ii) Areas near the equator are hotter than those far away from it.

b.) Prevailing winds.

When winds blow, they usually either bring rainfall or dry conditions.

c.) Altitude
i) Altitude is the height of land above sea level.
ii) The higher the altitude, the cooler the area and lower the altitude, the warmer the area.

d.) Vegetation cover.

i) Areas with thick vegetation receive heavier rainfall that those with poor vegetation.
ii) Forests release water vapour in the atmosphere through transpiration, which helps in the
formation of rainfall.

Distance from water bodies.

Areas around water bodies receive more rainfall than areas that are far from the water bodies.

e.) Human activities

Human activities like massive cutting of trees to get land for farming, industrialization, settlement, swamp
draining etc. leads to rainfall reduction drought), desertification and global warming.

NB: Global warming.

i) Global warming is the increase of world temperatures.
ii) Global warming is a result of increased carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
iii) Man’s activities responsible for the increase of carbon dioxide and other pollutants in the
atmosphere are:
 Massive cutting down of trees.
 Greenhouse
 Industrialization.

Effects of global warming.

i) Leads to the melting of snow.
ii) Causes abnormally heavy rainfall (El-Niño)
27
.
Influence of physical features on climate
-Mountains influence the formation of relief rainfall.
-Lakes influence the formation of convectional rainfall.
-Plains influence the formation of frontal rainfall.
Activity
1. Write down two factors that influence climate of an area
2. Describe the winds that bring rain to an area
3. What is global warming?
4. Explain how altitude influences climate of an area
5. How does global warming affect climate of an area?
6. Write down two human activities that are friendly to climate

Types of rainfall

a.) Relief rainfall

i) It is received near mountains or highland areas.
ii) Relief (Orographic) rainfall is received in mountainous area f Uganda e.g.
 Slopes of Mt Elgon / Bugisu
 Slopes of Mt. Mufunbiro / Kigezi.
 Slopes of Mt. Rwenzori.

Examples of districts that receive relief rainfall are:

i) Mbale iv) Kapchorwa
ii) Kabale v) Kasese
iii) Kisoro vi) Bundibugyo.

Formation of relief rainfall.

Clouds

WIND WARD SIDE Rainfall LEE WARD SIDE

Dry air descends

Warm air rises Mountain

b.) Conventional rainfall

In Uganda convectional rainfall is received in areas near water bodies and forests.
Examples of districts that receive convectional rainfall are:
 Wakiso  Kalangala
28
  Kampala  Iganga
 Jinja  Buvuma

Formation of convectional rainfall

Condensation
form clouds Clouds

Sun rays heat the

water and plants

Lake

Land
c.) Cyclonic (Frontal) rainfall
It’s experienced in flat areas of Uganda e.g. Teso – sub region and Karamoja region.
It occurs when warm air masses meet with cool air masses.

Formation of cyclonic rainfall

Clouds

Advantages of rainfall
i) Rainfall provided water to people for domestic
use.
ii) Provides water to crops to grow well.
iii) Rainfall provides water to both domestic and
wild animals.
iv) It helps to maintain the water cycle.

Disadvantages of rainfall.
i) May cause floods, which destroy people’s property.
ii) Too much rainfall can cause death to both plants and animals.
iii) Too much rainfall encourages landslides that may kill people or destroy their property.
iv) Too much rainfall can make transport difficult by rendering the roads impassable.

Activity.
1. Mention the three types of rainfall
29
2. Which type of rainfall is experienced on mountain slopes/
3. Which type of rainfall is experienced by Oscar who lives in Makindye near lake Victoria
4. Which rainfall is experienced in Karamoja region?
5. Why is the wind ward side of a mountain the best side for a farmer to settle?
6. Write down two advantages of rainfall to people
7. How may rainfall be dangerous to people?

BREEZE.
A breeze is a gentle movement of air/wind from a cool region (an area of high pressure) to a warm region
(an area of low pressure)
Sea breeze.
i) This is the movement of air/wind from a water body to the land.
ii) Sea breeze takes place during daytime.
iii) The sea breezes are moist, therefore, they bring rainfall.

The diagram showing sea breeze.

Cool air moving to land

Land breeze
i) This is the movement of
cool air/ wind from the water body.
ii) It takes place at night.
iii) At night, the land cools faster than the sea.
iv) The warmer air over the sea rises and then cooler air/wind over the land blows towards the sea to
replace the warm air that has risen.
The diagram showing land breeze.

30
Cool air moving to sea
Influence of climate on human activities
sea
Land i) Areas with reliable rainfall encourage people to carry out crop growing.
ii) Areas that are dry, with unreliable rainfall mainly practice nomadic pastoralism e.g the Karimajong in
North Eastern Uganda.
iii) There are few people settling in areas with unreliable rainfall.
iv) It determines the types of clothes people wear; for example, in hot areas people wear light and white
clothes.
v) It determines the type of crops to be grown in a particular place for example in semi arid areas
farmers grows drought resistant crops.
Activity
1. How are sea breezes important to farmers?
2. At what time does a sea breeze take place?
3. Why does water move from the water body to the land during a sea breeze?
4. How does climate influence people’s way of dressing?
5. How does climate influence the economic activities of an area?
6. Name two drought resistant crops grown in dry areas of Uganda

FARMING IN UGANDA
i) Farming is the growing of crops or rearing of animals.
ii) Farming is the main economic activity of Ugandans.
iii) It is the backbone of Uganda’s economy.
iv) There are different farming activities and different types of crops grown in different climatic conditions.

Factors influencing farming.

i) Fertility of the soil.
ii) Reliability of rainfall
iii) Availability of water sources for irrigation and for animals.
iv) Market for the farm produce.
v) Availability of capital.
vi) Availability of labour force.

Importance of farming.
i) Source of raw materials.

31
ii) Provides employment.
iii) Source of income.
iv) Source of food for people and animals.

Problems affecting agriculture.

i) Poor storage facilities.
ii) Price fluctuations.
iii) Pests and diseases.
iv) Poor transport facilities.
v) Shortage of capital.
vi) Droughts
vii) Shortage of land.

Solutions to the problems.

i) Government should provide loans and through plan for modernization of agriculture. (P.M.A) and
National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS).
ii) Spraying the crops to kill the pests and to control diseases.
iii) Planting improved disease and pest resistant varieties of crops.
iv) Constructing enough modern storage facilities to control storage pests and to keep products for a
longer period until they get reasonable market.
v) Encourage farmers to use modern farming methods e.g. irrigation.
Activity
1. What is farming?
2. Why is farming regarded as the backbone of Uganda’s economy?
3. Write down two factors influencing climate of an area
4. Mention any three ways in which farming is important to pupils at Namirembe Parents’ School
5. Write down any three problems affecting agriculture in Uganda
6. Write NAADS in full
7. How is NAADS improving on farming in Uganda today
8. State any two ways how the government can improve on farming in Uganda

Types of crops.
Cash crops.
i) These are crops grown for sale.
ii) There are two types of cash crops.
 Traditional crops.
 Bon – traditional crops.

a.) Traditional cash crops.

Traditional cash crops are crops that have been grown for sale for long time, e.g. coffee, cotton, tea,
sugarcane, wattle, tobacco e.t.c.

32
Coffee
i) Coffee is a perennial crop.
ii) It is the leading cash crop of Uganda.
iii) There are three types of coffee grown in Uganda.
 Arabica coffee
 Robusta coffee
 Clonal coffee

a.) Arabica coffee

It grows well on the highland areas or slopes of mountains that have volcanic soil e.g. Mt. Elgon, Mt.
Mufumbiro

Conditions for Arabica coffee

i) Presence of deep fertile volcanic soils.
ii) Cool temperatures/high altitude
iii) Heavy rainfall with good drainage.

b.) Robusta coffee

Robusta coffee grows well in lowlands areas e.g Buganda region

Conditions for Robusta coffee.

i) Warm temperatures.
ii) Fertile soils.
iii) Reliable rainfall

c.) Clonal coffee

i) This a recently introduced type of coffee.
ii) It is called clonal because it was got by planting clones instead of seeds.

Advantages of clonal coffee over other types

i) It matures faster
ii) It’s more resistant to diseases.
iii) It has higher yields.
iv) It can grow in almost all climatic conditions except semi-arid areas.
Importance of coffee.
i) For beverage
ii) Coffee husks can be used as manure, mulch and as litter in poultry.
iii) Source of income for both local and foreign exchange earners.
iv) Provides employment.
v) Coffee stimulates industrial growth.

33
Diseases of coffee
i) Coffee wilt disease.
ii) Coffee berry borer.

Cotton growing in Uganda.

i) Cotton is a fibre crop grown in Uganda.
ii) Kenneth Borup introduced cotton seeds in Uganda in 1903.
iii) Cotton is widely grown in the districts of Pallisa, Tororo, Kumi, Soroti, Apac, Lira, Gulu, Nebbi and
Kasese

Requirements of cotton.
i) Moderate rainfall.
ii) High temperatures
iii) Fertile well drained soil.

Importance of cotton.
i) Cotton is used to make threads.
ii) Cotton is a raw material in textile industries.
iii) Cotton growing provides employment.
iv) Cotton seeds can be made from its seeds.
v) Its seeds are used for making soap.
vi) Textile industries that manufacture cloth.

Other fibre making cloths are;

a.) Natural fibres

i) Wool – (sheep) iii) Silk – (silk worms)
ii) Mohair – (goats)

b.) Artificial fibres (Synthetic fibres)

i) Rayton iii) Polysester
ii) Nylon

Why cotton production has gone down in Uganda.

i) Low cotton prices
ii) Fluctuation of cotton prices.
iii) High competition from natural/synthetic fibres that has reduced its demand.
iv) Cotton pests and diseases.
Activity
1. What are cash crops?
34
2. What are traditional cash crops?
3. Mention any four main cash crops of Uganda
4. Mention any three types of coffee grown in Uganda
5. State any one factor that favour growing of Arabica coffee
6. State any two importance of coffee to people
7. State any two importance of cotton to people
8. Which type of coffee is mainly grown in Central(Buganda) region:

Tea growing in Uganda

Tea growing is another perennial beverage crop in Uganda, which was introduced by Indians/Asians in
Uganda in 1990.
Tea growing districts in Uganda are:
i) Kabarole iv) Kamwenge
ii) Mukono v) Kabale
iii) Rukungiri vi) Nebbis

Examples of Tea Estates in Uganda are.

i) Rwenzori Highland iv) Kasaku
ii) Kayonza v) Musizi tea estate.
iii) Igara

Conditions necessary for tea growth

i) It needs fertile well drained acidic
ii) Well aerated soils.
iii) Cool temperatures
iv) Well-distributed rainfall.

Importance of tea.
i) It is a source of income to farmers.
ii) Earns foreign exchange to
iii) It creates employment for people.
iv) It’s used for making beverages.

Tobacco growing in Uganda.

Tobacco growing areas in Uganda are:
i) West Nile region (Arua, Nebbi, Moyo, Adjumani)
ii) Bunyoro region (Hoima, Masindi and Buliisa)
iii) South – Western Uganda (Rukungiri and Kabale)

Methods of tobacco curing.

i) Flue curing: Using heat from a furnace, giving it a desirable aroma.
35
ii) Air curing: Using air to dry tobacco leaves.
iii) Fire curing: Using that emits smoke to the hanging leaves.
Note: Flu curing leads to deforestation and causes air pollution.

Importance of tobacco.
i) For making cigarettes, cigar, pipes.
ii) Tobacco growing in an employment.
iii) Tobacco is a source of income to farmers.

Sugarcane growing in Uganda.

i) Sugarcane is mainly grown around L. Victoria.
ii) Nanji Khalidas Mehta was the first Asian/Indian to build a sugar factory in Lugazi in 1924.

The main sugarcane plantations in Uganda are:

i) Kakira Sugarcane plantation in Jinja.
ii) Kinyara Sugarcane plantation in Masindi
iii) Sang Bay Sugarcane plantation in Rakai.
iv) Lugazi Sugarcane plantation in Mukono (Sugar Corporation of Uganda LTD SCOUL)

Uses of Sugarcane
i) Sugar v) Molasses
ii) Sweets vi) Sugar paper
iii) Spirits vii) Manure
iv) Jaggery
Activity
1. Write down two districts in Uganda that grow tea on a large scale
2. Mention any two conditions that are necessary for tea growing
3. Write down two importance of tea growing to people
4. Which two districts in Uganda are famous for tobacco growing?
5. Why doesn’t the ministry of health encourage tobacco growing?
6. How important is tobacco to people?
7. What do you remember about the following?
-Nanji Khalidas Mehta
-Muljibhaio Madhivan

Pyrethrum
i) Pyrethrum is widely grown n Kabale district.
ii) It is used for making insecticides.

Wattle
i) It is also widely grown in Kabale district.
ii) The bark of wattle trees is used to make tannin that is used for tanning leather.
36
iii) Therefore, tannin is a raw material for leather tanning industry.

Oil palm
i) It has been introduced in Kalangala district.
ii) Oil palm seeds are used for making cooking oil, soap, margarine etc.

Barley
i) It is widely grown in Kapchorwa and Bukwo districts.
ii) It is used for making beers.

Non-traditional cash crops.

Non-traditional cash crops are the drops, which were formerly grown for food but are now grown for both
food and sale e.g. bananas, cassava, beans, vanilla, maize, peas, potatoes e.t.c.

Cocoa
It is a perennial crop and it does well in the districts of Mukono and Bundibugyo.

Wheat
It is grown in Kapchorwa, Bukwo and Kabale. It is used for making baking flour.

Vanilla
It is a perennial crop
It grows well in the districts of Mukono, Kabale, Butambala etc.
It is used as a beverage.

Map of Uganda showing different crops.

37
Human activities that can affect climate positively
i. Afforestation
ii. Swamp conservation
iii. Agro-forestry
iv. Re-afforestation

Human activities that can affect climate negatively.

i) Charcoal burning vi) Over grazing / over stocking
ii) Industrialization vii) Shifting cultivation
iii) Fish smoking viii) Tobacco curing
iv) Lumbering ix) Drainage of swamps.
v) Brick making

Effects of human activities on climate

i) Drought
ii) Desertification
iii) Global warming
iv) Abnormally heavy rains (El Nino)
Unpredictable climate changes
Problems associated with wet and dry areas
i. Wet areas face a problem of floods
ii. Wet areas that are hilly face a problem of soil erosion.
iii. Too much rainfall in wet areas may destroy crops.
iv. Dry areas face a problem of water shortage.
v. Prolonged drought leads to famine.
vi. Prolonged drought leads to shortage of water and pasture for animals.

Possible solutions
i. People should not settle in swampy areas to avoid floods.
ii. People terrace hilly areas to control soil erosion.
iii. The government should construct valley dams to provide water to people and animals in
dry areas.
iv. Encouraging people to plant trees to improve on climate.
Activity
1. Write down two problems faced by wet areas
2. What is the industrial use of pyrethrum?
3. Name one district in Uganda famous for oil palm growing
4. Write down two human activities that affect climate negatively
38
 5. Write down two human activities that influence climate positively
6. How do dry conditions affect pupils in Namirembe Parents’ School

TOPIC 4
THE VEGETATION OF UGANDA
Vegetation is the plant cover of an area.

Types of vegetation
i) Natural vegetation
ii) Planted vegetation

a.) Natural vegetation

i) This the plants cover that grows on its own.
ii) Examples of natural vegetation are:
 Natural forests
 Swamps
 Savannah grasslands.
 Shrubs.

b.) Planted Vegetation

This is the plant cover that is planted by man e.g
i) Planted forests
ii) Crops
iii) Flowers
iv) Planted grass.
Factors that influence distribution of vegetation.

a.) Rainfall
Areas that receive heavy rainfall have thick vegetation whereas areas that receive little rainfall have
poor / sparse vegetation.

b.) Soil
i) Areas with fertile soils have thick forests/vegetation compared to areas with poor soils, which
have poor vegetation and short grass.
ii) Soils in forested areas are very fertile because they get fertility from the leaves that fall from the
trees.

c.) Human activities.

i) There are some activities of man that promote the growth of vegetation while others degrade
vegetation.
39
 ii) Human activities like massive cutting down of, trees to get land for agriculture and settlement,
careless waste disposals, overgrazing, road construction, mining, industrialization, swamp
reclamation and lumbering leads to degradation of vegetation.
iii) Human activities like agro-forestry, afforestation and re-afforestation conserve and promote the
growth of vegetation.
d.) Government policy.
Government can gazette as area as a forest reserve or can degazzette an area for other economic
activities.
e) Altitude.
On a mountain, vegetation tends to be dense on the foot hills and becomes scanty towards the mountain
top.
Activity
1. What is vegetation?
2. Which vegetation covers most parts of Uganda
3. Mention the two types of vegetation
4. Name the most important factor that influences vegetation distribution
5. Identify any two factors that influence vegetation distribution
6. Why are areas around Lake Victoria covered by thick forests?

Ways vegetation influences human activities e.g.

a.) Tropical rain forests (Equatorial forests)

i) They are found within the Equatorial region e.g. Mabira forest, Budongo etc.
ii) Tropical rain forests are evergreen because they receive heavy rainfall throughout the year.

Characteristics of Tropical rain forests.

i) The trees are tall and huge.
ii) The trees have thick undergrowth.
iii) The trees have buttress roots.
iv) The trees form canopies.
v) The trees have hard wood.

Examples of trees found in equatorial forests are:

i) Mvule ii) Musizi iii) Mahogany

Economic activities done in the tropical rainforests.

i) Lumbering ii) Tourism iii) Crop farming.

b.) Savannah vegetation

i) Savannah vegetation sometime is called tropical grassland.
ii) Savannah vegetation covers the most parts of Uganda.
iii) Most national game parks of Uganda are found in the Savannah vegetation because:
40
  Savannah has plenty/enough pasture for the wild animals.
 Savannah is an open grassland-allowing animals to roam freely.
 Savannah provides shelter/protection to wild animals.

Characteristics of savannah vegetation.

i) It has a lot of grass with scattered trees.
ii) The trees shed off their leaves in the dry season.

Economic activities done in savannah regions.

i) Tourism iii) Grazing cattle
ii) Crop farming iv) Bee farming.

c.) Semi-desert vegetation

i) It is found in Karamoja Northeastern region.
ii) It consists of short grass, thorny bushes and stunted trees.

Economic activities carried out in the region

i) Nomadic pastoralism
ii) Tourism
iii) Irrigation farming

d.) Swamps/wetlands
i) These are waterlogged areas, covered with vegetation.
ii) It is found along rivers Katonga, river Nile, around lakes Victoria, Kyoga.

Importance of wetlands (swamps)

i) Swamps help in the formation of rainfall.
ii) Swamps are habitat / homes of wild life.
iii) Swamps are fishing areas e.g. Mud fish.
iv) Swamps control floods
v) Sores of raw materials for handcraft / local industries.
vi) Swamps attract tourists.
vii) Swamps filter water.
viii) Some crops are grown in swamps e.g. rice, sugar cane.

Crops grown in swamps include

i) Rice iv) Sweet potatoes
ii) Sugarcane v) Maize
iii) Yams vi) Vegetables.

41
Activities done in swamps.
i) Crop growing
ii) Mining e.g. clay, sand.
iii) Tourism
iv) Collection of craft material
v) Fishing e.g. Mudfish.

Problems/dangers facing swamps.

i) Growing crops in wetlands.
ii) Industrialization
iii) Dumping of wastes in swamps i.e. (domestic and industrial)
iv) Brick making in swamps
v) Fire out breaks, as fire is a danger to the wildlife there.
vi) Sand mining.
vii) Construction of infrastructure in wetlands e.g. housing, roads, railway lines etc.

Reasons why people drain swamps.

i) To create land for settlement
ii) To create land for crop growing
iii) To create space for industrialization.
iv) To create land for construction of infrastructure e.g roads.

Dangers of draining swamps.

i) It leads to destruction
ii) It leads to prolonged droughts.
iii) It leads to destruction of animal habitats.
iv) It leads to environmental degradation.
v) It lowers the water table.
Activity
1. Write down two characteristics of tropical rain forests
2. What is a swamp?
3. Write two dangers facing swamps
4. How are swamps important to people?
5. Mention two crops grown in swamps
6. How is it dangerous to drain swamps?
7. Mention two activities done in swamps
8. Why is savannah grassland suitable for tourism?
NB:
The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA)
Established in 1996 to oversee the protection and conservation of Uganda’s environment.

Importance of NEMA.
42
i) NEMA protects or conserves the environment.
ii) Educate the public about and values of conserving environment.
iii) Evicts wetland encroachers.

The ministry of water and Environment is responsible for the protection of environment in Uganda.

Forests of Uganda.
A forest is a group of trees growing together.

Types of forests
i) Plantation/planted forests are forests planted by man.
ii) Natural forests are forests that grow on their own.

The main plantation forests in Uganda are.

i) Lendu forest - Zombo
ii) Mugunga forest
iii) Namanze forest - Wakiso
iv) Nyabyeya forest - Masindi

 Examples of trees in plantation forests include; pine, cypress, eucalyptus etc.

 Plantation forests provide soft wood.

Importance of soft wood.

i) For making paper
ii) For making pencils
iii) For making soft boards.
iv) For making matches.

Natural forests.
i) Natural forests are forests that grow on their own.
ii) Natural forests grow in areas that receive heavy rainfall.
iii) Natural forests mainly have hard wood.

The main forests of Uganda are.

i) Mabira forest (largest) in Buikwe
ii) Budongo forest in Masindi
iii) Maramagambo forest in Bushenyi
iv) Kibale forest in Kabalore
v) Kasyoha –Kitomi forest in Kabale
vi) Bwindi impenetrable forest in Kabale
43
vii) Malabigfambo forest in Rakai
viii) Semliki forest in Bundibugyo
ix) Wiceri forest in Gulu
x) Zoka forest in Adjumani
xi) Ssese Island forest in Kalangala.

Importance of forests.
i) Forests are habitats for wild life like the mountain gorillas in Bwindi impenetrable forest and
chimpanzees.
ii) Forests help in the formation of rainfall
iii) Forests are source of timber
iv) Forests are tourist attractions.
v) Forests provide herbs for medicine
vi) Forests control soil erosion.
vii) Forests control the expansion of hot desert conditions.
viii) Forests provide raw materials for the pulp (paper) industry.

Problems of forests.
i) They harbor disease vectors e.g. tsetse flies, mosquitoes.
ii) It hinders transport as they make construction of roads difficult.
iii) It is hiding place for rebels.
iv) It harbours pests and dangerous wild animals e.g. snakes, leopards.

Human activities that can lead to destruction of forests.

i) Lumbering
ii) Through over grazing
iii) Through construction of infrastructure.
iv) Through mining
v) Through fish smoking
vi) Through tobacco curing
vii) Through brick burning
viii) Through charcoal burning.

Conservation of forests.
This is the maintaining of the original state of the forest.

How to conserve forests.

i) Through reforestation
ii) Through Agro – forestry
iii) Through mass education
iv) By using an alternative source of energy e.g. biogas, electricity.
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v) By employing more forest rangers to guard forests.
vi) Through enacting laws and punishing people who destroy forests

Relationship between people and vegetation distribution

a) People settle near forests so as to get food e.g. through hunting
b) Some forested areas are sparsely populated because they are protected.
c) Swampy areas are sparsely populated because they are breeding grounds for mosquitoes, they
flood during heavy rains.
d) Places with scrub and thicket vegetation are sparsely populated because they receive little
rainfall.
e) Vegetation zones on mountain slopes are densely populated due to high rainfall and fertile soil
that support farming.

Activity
1. What is a forest?
2. Mention any two types of forests
3. What is forest conservation?
4. How do we conserve forests?(Give two ways)
5. Mention three human activities that can lead to destruction of forests
6. What problems do neighbours of Mabira forest face(give two)
7. How are forests important to traditional healers?
8. How is soft wood important to people?
9. Write NEMA in full
10. State any two roles of NEMA

NATURAL AND PLANTATION FORESTS OF UGANDA

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 TOPIC 5
NATURAL
RESOURCES IN OUR COUNTRY.
Natural resources are features in the environment that a man can use to earn a living.

Examples of natural resources.

i) Land v) Plants
ii) Minerals vi) Animals
iii) People vii) Climate
iv) Water

There are two types of natural resources.

a.) Renewable resources

Renewable resources are resources that can be replaced once used.

Examples of renewable resources are:

i) Water
ii) Soil
iii) Air/Wind

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b.) Non-renewable resources
Non-renewable resources are resources that cannot b replaced once used.

An example of non-renewable resource is minerals (oil, gold, silver etc)

Land
Land is used in the following ways.
i) For crop growing
ii) For mining
iii) For rearing animals
iv) For brick making
v) For building houses, industries, Burial etc.
vi) Foe construction of roads etc.
vii) For settlement.

How land is misused?

i) Land pollution
ii) Over grazing
iii) Poor methods of farming
iv) Bush burning
v) Mining (extraction of minerals)
vi) Over cultivation leading soil exhaustion

Effects of misuse of land.

i) Soil erosion
ii) Loss of soil fertility (soil exhaustion)

Ways of protecting / conserving land.

i) Through bush fallowing (allowing land to rest)
ii) Through crop rotation.
iii) By terracing
iv) By contour ploughing
v) By strip cropping
vi) By keeping the number of animals the land can accommodate.

Plants/vegetation.
Plants can be natural or planted and they are important for tourism, timber, food, grazing, fruits etc.

Animals
i) Animals are either domestic or wild animals.
ii) Domestic animals are kept at home while wild animals live in the brush (wild)
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How animals are used to earn a living.
i) Animals provide meat.
ii) Animals provide milk.
iii) Animals provide hides and skins.
iv) Some animals provide security/protection.
v) Domestic animals bring income.
vi) Wild animals are tourist attraction hence foreign exchange..

Tourism
This is the movement of people to visit interesting places for pleasure or study purposes.

Tourist attractions are things that tourists come to visit.

Examples of tourist attractions in Uganda are.

i) Wildlife (National game parks)
ii) Physical features e.g. mountains, lakes, rivers, rift valleys etc.
iii) Historical sites e.g. stone Age sites, museum, etc.
iv) Culture e.g. Kasubi tombs, Kabaka’s coronation site (Naggalabi), Mparo tombs etc.
v) Good climate, the favorable climate of Uganda attracts many Europeans who come to enjoy the
tropical conditions during winter season e.g. sun bathing.

Tourism is referred to as an industry because:

i) It generates income.
ii) It creates employment.
iii) It develops remote areas.

Tourism is referred to as an invisible trade because it generates income yet no physical goods are
exchanged.

Tourism is an invisible export because it generates foreign exchange yet no physical goods are taken
outside the country.

Importance of tourism.
i) It creates employment.
ii) It generates income for people and government.
iii) It leads to the development of infrastructure like roads, air stripes etc.
iv) It provides market for local products such as food.
v) It promotes development of local industries like craft strips etc.

Solutions to problems facing tourism.

i) Improving on the security
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ii) Improving on the advertisement.
iii) Improving on the road network.
iv) Improving upon accommodation services.
v) Encouraging the training of people who provide services to tourists.
vi) Employing more and better trained game r angers.
vii) Introducing new species of animals.
viii) Providing veterinary services to animals.
Activity
1. What are natural resources?
2. Mention the two types of natural resources
3. Write down two examples of natural resources
4. How is land useful as a resource?(give two ways)
5. State two ways how man has misused land
6. How do you use animals at home to earn a living?
7. What is tourism?
8. Mention any two tourist attractions found in Uganda
9. State one reason as to why tourism is referred to as an invisible export.

Disadvantages of tourism.
i) Tourists bring deadly diseases.
ii) It is expensive to maintain parks.
iii) Animals in national parks escape and kill people.
iv) Tourists bring in immoral foreign culture.
v) Some tourists come as spies.

Uganda’s National Game parks.

National Game Parks are natural habitats of wild animals that are protected by the government.

National Game Reserves.

These are natural habitats demarcated to protect stray animals that have escaped from the national
game parks.

A Zoo
This is a place where few selected wild animals and birds are kept on a small scale for public viewing.

Note
The ministry of tourism, trade and industry is responsible for wild life and national game parks in Uganda.

A Sanctuary This is a palace demarcated to protect rare species of animals and birds e.g.
1.). Ngamba Island for Chimpanzee.
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 ii).Bwindi Impenetrable forest and Mgahinga for mountain Gorillas.

NATIONAL PARKS AND RESERVES OF UGNADA.

Major national game parks and animal of Uganda.

Sn. National Game park Animals found
i. Kidepo valley N.G.P Zebra, Gazelle, Buffalo, Giraffe, Cheetah and Ostrich
ii. Mt. Elgon N.G.P Leopards, Lions, Crocodiles, Hippos, Buffalos
iii. Murchison fall N.G.P Buffalo, Elephant, Hyena, Blue monkey, Leopard, Eagle
iv. Bwindi N.G.P Mountain Gorillas
v. Mgahinga N.G.P Mt. Gorillas, Golden monkeys
vi. Mt. Rwenzori N.G.P Chimpanzee, Black & White monkey, Leopard
vii. Queen Elizabeth N.G.P Leopard, Lion, Hippo, Buffalo, Bushbuck
viii. Semliki N.G.P Squirrels, White crested horn bill
ix. L. Mburo N.G.P Impala, Ze bra, Buffalo, Leopard, Hyena, Eland etc
x. Kibale N.G.P Bush babies, Elephants, Chimpanzee

Importance of hotels to tourists

i. Hotels provide accommodation to the tourists.
ii. Hotels provide food to the tourists.
iii. Hotels provide entertainment to the tourists
iv. Hotels provide transport to the tourists.

Problems faced by animals in the game parks.

i. Shortage of water and pasture.
ii. Animal vectors and diseases.
iii. Bush fire s.
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iv. Poaching.
v. Encroachment thus the use of a game park for other activities e.g. farming, settlement etc.
vi. Civil wars / insecurity where animals are due to lack of security for animals or animals escape or
stay away from the game park because of sounds of gun shots.

Water
Water can be got from well, rivers, springs, swamps (wetland), streams and lakes.

Importance of water.
i. For industrial use.
ii. For domestic use.
iii. For animals.
iv. For irrigation
v. For medical purposes.
vi. For stopping big fires.

How water is misused.

i. Dumping wastes (industrial and domestic) in water bodies.
ii. Framing near water bodies.
iii. Draining of swamps.
iv. Building latrines near water bodies.

How water can be used properly.

i. By boiling water
ii. By covering the water.
iii. By protecting the water source.
iv. Proper dumping of wastes.
v. Conserving wetlands.

Climate
Favourable climate (reliable rainfalls) support crop growing and semi- arid support nomadic pastoralism.

How climate can be spoilt.

i. Massive cutting down of trees.
ii. Drainage of wetlands.
iii. Industrialisation.

How climate can be conserved.

i. Through afforestation
ii. Through agro-forestry
iii. Through re-afforestation
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 iv. By conserving the wetlands.

People
People as an example of natural resources provide labour.
There are two types of labour i.e.
i. Skilled labour (trained workers)
ii. Unskilled labour (Untrained workers)

Problems affecting labour.

i. Poor pay
ii. Poor working conditions
iii. Corruption
iv. Brain-drain (i.e. trained workers going out to look for better paid jobs).
v. Tribalism
vi. Diseases.
Activity
1. How can climate be conserved?
2. How is water as a resource being misused?
3. In which way is water useful to people in the NPPS community?
4. Write down two problems affecting labour (people working ) in your community
5. Mention the two types of labour
6. Write down two problems facing animals in game parks.
7. What is a zoo?
8. How are hotels important to tourists?
9. Which animals are commonly found in Murchison falls national park?
10. What is Bwindi impenetrable national park famous for?
11. Name the island that was set up as a home for chimpanzee in lake Victoria

Minerals
i. Minerals are chemical substances that are found beneath the earth.
ii. Minerals are mined from the earth
iii. Mining is the processing of extracting minerals form the earth.

Uganda’s major minerals.

Sn. Minerals Location Uses
1. Copper Kasese, Kilembe For making telephone and electric wires, coins,
pipes, heaters, artificial teeth, trophies etc
2. Limestone Kasese/Hima, For making cement
Tororo/Osukuru, Rukungiri
3. Salt Lake Katwe For human consumption and chemical industry,
drugs
4. Phosphates Tororo (Osukuru Hills), For making artificial fertilizers
Busumbu/Manafwa.
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5. Petroleum/Oil Lake Albert, R. Semliki, For making petrol, diesel, paraffin, plastics,
Hoima, Buliisa, Pakwach, drugs, sandals
Rhino Camp And Nwoya
6. Iron ore Kabale, Kisoro, Kotido, For making nails, iron sheets, car bodies
Tororo And Manafwa.
7. Gold Moroto, Kaabong, Busia, For making jewellery, medals, artificial teeth.
Napak, Mubende, Bugiri
8. Asbestos Kapchorwa, Karamoja And Arua For making asbestos sheet
9. Tin Kabale, Kisoro, Hoima, For making tins and cans
Soroti, Rukungiri
10. Wolfram Kabale, Kisoro, Mubende For making filaments of bulbs

Why some
minerals are not
mined in Uganda.
Shortage of
capital
Shortage of
skilled labour.
Some minerals
deposits are small in quantity.
Some minerals are scattered.
Lack of political will to exploit the mineral by the leaders.
Some minerals are in no man’s land.

Importance of mining industry.

It creates employment.
It earns foreign exchange to the country
It leads to industrialization
The mining companies pay taxes to the government.
Development of remote areas.

Disadvantages of mining industries.

It leads to environmental degradation
It leads to pollution of air water and land.
It leads to displacement of the local people

The major minerals of Uganda

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Caring for natural resources

a) Animals

-Treating them when they are sick.

-Wild animals should be protected from poachers.

b) Land

-Applying manure to maintain soil fertility.

-Terracing hilly areas to control soil erosion.

-Bush fallowing to allow land to rest and gain its fertility.

c) Vegetation

-Watering plants to keep them healthy.

-Adding manure to the soil to help plants to grow well.

- Spraying with pesticides to control pests and diseases.

- Pruning and weeding’

d) Water

- Protecting water sources by cleaning them

-Treating sewage before discharging it to water sources

-Avoiding water pollution.

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 e) Climate

-Planting trees

- Using environment friendly energy sources e.g. H.E.P and solar.

-Reducing the emission of fumes from vehicles and industries.

f) People

-Training them to get skills

- Providing proper medical care and good feeding.

- Paying good salaries to motivate them.

Activity

1. What is a mineral?
2. Define the term mining
3. Complete the table below;

mineral Finished Area where it is

product mined
copper
limestone
salt
Petroleum
oil

4. Give two reasons why some minerals are not fully exploited in Uganda
5. How important is the mining industry to Uganda?
6. How do people near Lake Katwe benefit from their location?
7. Mention one way of caring for vegetation in your school
8. Mention one way of caring for wild animals.
THE END

NPPS/TERM ONE/2018/ KIVIIRI & MUGWERI

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