Imagine an expanse of virgin forest and Savannah, where the sky is wide and the horizon comes in different tones of shaded green. Imagine birds singing, perched on the twigs of trees brushed by the wind. Imagine no pollution, no noise, a land of unspoiled nature. Imagine Uganda. When you visit this land of indescribable beauty, you are confronted with another reality of rough tenderness, of expanses that can take your breath away, an idealised world come true, a kind of paradise lost. Some call Uganda the pearl of Africa, while others call it the Switzerland of Africa. Bordered by Sudan to the north, Kenya to the east and the Democratic Republic of Congo to the south, it shares the borders of Lake Victoria with Kenya and Tanzania. The population of Uganda, currently 32 million, is proud of the country. Many think of it as a kind of nature reserve, which is no exaggeration as after World War II the whole of Uganda was declared to be an area of outstanding natural beauty. Nearly 15 per cent of this land-locked country is covered with water, sweet water that is. Some of the water that reaches Egypt through the Nile once lapped against the shores of Ugandan lakes and rivers. In its journey to Egypt and other downstream countries, this water also passed through some spectacular waterfalls. Uganda is a rainy country for at least eight months of the year, the dry season lasting only from December to February. The abundance of the country's natural environment is such that Ugandan farmers hardly use fertilisers to boost their production, simply sowing seeds and harvesting crops. Because of the country's wealth of wildlife, Uganda is also a haven for safari lovers, who tour the forests to watch wild animals in their natural habitat. It has thus far built seven dams on its rivers, and it is now about to build an eighth one, which may be an opportunity for Egypt to help out. At sunset, the country soon falls into darkness, as except for electric generators Ugandans have no regular access to electricity. The country doesn't have many power plants, and the demand for solar energy panels is considerable, another area in which Egypt could offer its help. Life in Uganda can be costly. A litre of petrol costs $1, which means that transportation is expensive, as is almost everything that depends on it, food included. The country's infrastructure, especially its roads, is also in a terrible shape. A trip that could take two hours on a paved road can take up to five hours in Uganda because of the poor quality of the roads. This, too, could be an opportunity for Egyptian entrepreneurs to explore. Ugandans mostly live from agriculture, lumber, fish-farming, cattle-breeding, and tourism. The country, whose official language is English, is religiously diverse. While the majority of the population is Christian, there is a substantial Muslim presence, as well as tiny communities of Hindus, Jews and Bahaais. Ugandans are easy to get along with, hospitable and cheerful. They are also aware of how much work needs to be done to improve their country. Can our entrepreneurs pay more attention to what is going on in the south and make friends and investments in countries that share the Nile with us, countries that share the same continent, the same aspirations, and that can possibly become our allies in the battle for progress?
