Uganda is a landlocked country in east-central Africa. It is a country with many ecosystems, from tall volcanic mountains to densely forested swamps and rainforests. The region was subject to English colonial rule, until Uganda obtained formal independence in 1962. The country’s borders were rather arbitrarily and artificially drawn, including dozens of different ethnic groups speaking over 30 languages. As such, English and Swahili are important lingua franca in the region. 

Uganda is unfortunately one of the poorest nations in the world. The country’s sad record of political conflict, coupled with environmental problems and the ravages of a countrywide AIDS epidemic, hindered progress and growth for many years. However with greater political stability over the past couple decades, the people of Uganda have been able to focus on tackling the AIDS crisis and improving their economy. Here in Village Goods, look for examples of woven raffia baskets or trivets. You may also want to take a closer look at the glass and paper bead jewelry. Your purchases help offer business loans to entrepreneurial women, or enable parents to fund their children’s education.