The first time Winston Churchill’s eyes met Uganda, his mouth deemed her the Pearl of Africa. Right on, Winston.

Beginning in 1987, civil wars ravished the East African nation of peace, forward movement, and the innocence of her children. The players: the government of Uganda vs. the Lord’s Resistance Army. The effects: Two million civilians forced to flee their homes. 12,000 killed.

A pearl struggles out of chaos. A pearl struggles into creation-so it is with Uganda. Once emerged, the gem is rare and beautiful. This, too, is the future of Uganda.

FAST FACTS:

• Uganda gained independence from British rule in 1962.
• The East African savannah meets the West African rainforest, producing a unique, tropical climate.
• The nation is home to 22 million people and lakes cover 20% of its land.
• Uganda, about the size of the UK, borders Kenya, Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, and Tanzania and is the 30th poorest country in the world.