WHY IS UGANDA CALLED THE PEARL OF AFRICA

Why is Uganda called the Pearl of Africa? Who first named Uganda as the Pearl of Africa? The Term – Uganda – the Pearl of Africa – was made famous by Winston Churchill in his 1908 Book entitled “My African Journey” about his trip to Uganda in 1907.

Winston Churchill became quite enthused about what he found in Uganda when he wrote, “For magnificence, for variety of form and color, for profusion of brilliant life — bird, insect, reptile, beast — for vast scale — Uganda is truly “the Pearl of Africa.”

Why is Uganda called the Pearl of Africa and who was the first one to use it?: Most in Uganda today attribute the name “Pearl of Africa” to Winston Churchill. However, almost every other Western Explorer and Discoverer that came to Uganda felt similar. They spoke in glowing terms

about the country that they found and also referred to it as the Pearl of Africa.

Yes, Winston Churchill may not have been the one who first called Uganda, the Pearl of Africa. He is the one who is mostly given credit. It is Winston Churchill who popularized it through his book, “My African Journey.” A Book that you can buy presently on Amazon Com and Find in our Gorilla Safari Reads Book Section. We strongly suggest that you read the book before coming to Uganda.

Why is Uganda called the Pearl of Africa? Where did it come from?

Uganda affected. One could say infected the early explorers that came years before Winston Churchill arrived. They were amazed by its beauty, its natural wonders, its people. When modern travel became available, tourists flocked here and fell in love with the Pearl of Africa.

In 1858 John Hanning Speke and Richard Burton ventured through the Buganda Kingdom and were amazed by what they found. It was John Hanning Speke that discovered Lake Victoria as the source of the Nile. He was impressed as to how vast and open the streets were in the capital of Buganda, Kampala. He was also surprised by the local culture and ways of the people.

He traveled through much of Uganda and not just heading north like Winston Churchill but also to what is now the Safari circuit in Western Uganda.

His journeys and time in Uganda were popularized through the movie “Mountains of the Moon.” His claims of having discovered discounted by many until proven by Samuel and Florence Baker, and he died an unfortunate death.

Why is Uganda called the Pearl of Africa? Where did it come from?

The earliest and most credible source that was referring to Uganda as the Pearl of Africa was Henry Morton Stanley, who twice ventured throughout Uganda long before Winston Churchill.

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Frederick John D. Lugard (who saved Uganda for the British from the French) wrote, “Stanley was even louder in his praises of Uganda than Speke had been, and described it as the “Pearl of Africa” 1893.

Most sources name Henry Morton Stanley as the earliest and probably most credible source of “The Pearl of Africa., especially in American Writings, which were before Winston Churchill’s visit to the country in 1907 and his next book published in 1908.

Why is Uganda called the Pearl of Africa, and who named it that? No matter who was the first to refer to “Uganda – like the Pearl of Africa.” The reality is that it has been known and

called the Pearl of Africa for over 100 plus years.

Why is Uganda the Pearl of Africa? Defining “The Pearl of Africa in the 21st Century

A Pearl is rare, Uganda is one of a kind Country, there are no others like it in all of Africa. A country that has been gifted by Nature, making it one of the world’s most biodiverse nations in the world.

Here are the reasons why Uganda is the Pearl of Africa:

Why is Uganda called the Pearl of Africa? Where did it come from?

1. Welcoming and Friendly People “The Kingdom of Uganda is a fairy tale. The scenery is different, the climate is different, and most of all, the people are different from anything elsewhere to be seen in the whole range of Africa….what message I bring back….concentrate on Uganda.”

Ugandans are some of Africa’s most Welcoming and friendly People. A people who their home, and even more importantly their hearts.

The Friendly Ugandan Welcome follows the concept of Traditional African Culture, where the Host assumes responsibility for the well-being of the visitors.

Winston Churchill found that in 1907, and that is still the reality. It is one thing to be among friendly people but in many countries there often is a language barrier. Uganda is Africa’s Best English Speaking Country Even Winston Churchill noted that in his book.

2. Stunning Scenery that continues to Amaze Visitors to Uganda as it did Winston Churchill:

Why is Uganda called the Pearl of Africa? Where did it come from?

Winston Churchill wrote, “The Kingdom of Uganda is a fairy tale. The scenery is different… from anything elsewhere to be seen in the whole range of Africa….what message I bring back….concentrate on Uganda…it is the Pearl of Africa.

The scenery is different from anything elsewhere to be seen in the whole range of Africa. Those who have visited here would agree. Lonely Planet calls Uganda, Africa Condensed into one Country. Uganda was one of the reasons that Lonely chose is as “Best Country to Visit” in 2012. CNN Travel chose Bwindi Impenetrable Forest as the “Most Beautiful Place in the World.”

Bwindi Forest, Lake Bunyonyi, and the Rwenzori Mountains could be seen in the Blockbuster “Black Panther” movie. Uganda has the River Nile running through it. The Virunga Volcanoes in Mgahinga Gorilla Park in 2019 were declared the 3rd “Must Photograph Location in the World. Winston Churchill was right when he wrote: “The scenery is different.” It is one of the reasons that Uganda is the Pearl of Africa.

Why is Uganda called the Pearl of Africa? Where did it come from?

3. The Weather is Different- Best Weather in East Africa

When it comes to Uganda’s Weather and Climate Winston Churchill wrote: “the climate is different…from all of Africa.”

Uganda’s different climate, the best Holiday Weather in all of East Africa. Another reason that Uganda is the Pearl of Africa.

Uganda is located on the Equator, but because of its Elevation. Because of Lake Victoria, the Rwenzori Mountains, the Virunga Volcanoes, the weather is excellent all year long, making it a favorite Holiday Travel Destination.

For most of Uganda, there are two rainy seasons during the year. Even during the rainy seasons, the sun comes out since most rain showers come at night or during the early morning hours.

Uganda, the Climate is different. Yes, it is in the Pearl of Africa.

Why is Uganda called the Pearl of Africa? Where did it come from?

4. A Tropical Paradise – Africa’s Tropical Fruit Basket

Winston Churchill wrote in his book My African Journey: Uganda is from end to end one beautiful garden, where the staple food of the people grows almost without labour. Does it not sound like a paradise on Earth?… Concentrate on Uganda… It is the Pearl 0f Africa.

“A Taste of Uganda” on Safari visiting Uganda. Taste the bounty that this paradise called Uganda produces. Another reason that it is the Pearl of Africa. Over fifty kinds of different Bananas, the best Pineapple in the world. Large Papayas, flavorful passionfruits. It is Africa’s tropical fruit paradise.

T has been said that you put a stick into the ground, and next day leaves will springs forth. Though that is not the reality. Harvest time in Uganda, unlike many other countries, is several times a year.

Why is Uganda called the Pearl of Africa? Where did it come from?

5. Uganda – One of the most Biodiverse Countries in the World

The words of Winston Churchill published in 1908 still ring true today in the 21st Century. “For magnificence, for variety of form and color, for profusion of brilliant life — bird, insect, reptile, beast — for vast scale — Uganda is truly “the Pearl of Africa.”

Uganda, a small, landlocked country, the size of the State of Oregon, makes the top ten countries in the world when it comes to Biodiversity. Some call Uganda gifted by nature.

Unlike other Safari Destinations, Uganda is home to the -Big-7.” Lions, Elephants, Hippos, Rhinos, Leopards, Buffaloes plus Mountain Gorillas and Chimpanzees. Over 1,160 Species of Birds, including the elusive Shoebill Stork, Butterflies, giant Crocodiles in Africa, the Nile Crocodiles. The most significant number of endangered Nubian-Rothschild Giraffes. That is just the beginning, one could add, Tropical Jungles, Afromontane Rainforests, endless Savannahs, lakes as large as an ocean and more.

Why is Uganda called the Pearl of Africa? Where did it come from?

The Pearl of Africa is a Timeless Slogan

The Pearl of Africa is a Brand, and there is no other country in Africa with that label. It is, in our opinion, a Timeless Slogan. A Brand not created by the Ugandan Government, the Ministry of Tourism, the Uganda Tourism Board, or a hired marketing agency.

Uganda’s Track record Branding the country is dismal, the only thing that they could come up with was “Gifted by Nature,” and that was a big Dud.

In 2019 Tourism Officials have stated that “the Pearl of Africa” is no longer relevant, is outdated, and a slogan that does not evoke what the country is, Something we disagree with, and we suggest that you read it.

You can never separate Uganda and the Pearl of Africa, they will remain one.

Why is Uganda called the Pearl of Africa? Where did it come from?

The Pearl of Africa – Reality Check:

Winston Churchill’s visit to Uganda was not to promote Tourism by popularizing “the Pearl of Africa.” The purpose of his trip was to see how Britain could benefit economically from Uganda. Uganda was a British Protectorate, Winston Churchill came to East Africa, to Uganda in his role as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies and not as an Ambassador of Tourism for Uganda. His book increased interest among Big Game Hunters, who subsequently visited Uganda.

That the Pearl of Africa is used today to promote Tourism and Commerce might be a redemption of the term though the term was used to describe the wealth and riches of Uganda for exploitation. Today Uganda, the Pearl of Africa, has used a Tourist Slogan that shows why Uganda is a unique, one of a kind African Safari Destination.

Today most Ugandans do not associate “the Pearl of Africa” with the British Colonial Era but as the slogan that describes the uniqueness of this country. There is a sense of Pride to live in the Pearl of Africa. They see it as a term that describes the excellence, such as “the Pearl of Africa Hotel. Just maybe it is part of Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o’s decolonizing of the African mind. Nevertheless, it is a slogan that we will always use at Kabiza Wilderness Safaris.

The Pearl of Africa in the Words of Sir Winston Churchill.

re eidted By Kedi AbduRahiman Shadir