Entebbe facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Entebbe
Overview of Entebbe
Entebbe Location in Uganda Show map of Uganda Entebbe Location in Africa Show map of Africa
Country	Uganda
Region	Central Uganda
District	Wakiso District
Area
• Total	56.2 km2 (21.7 sq mi)
• Water	20 km2 (8 sq mi)
Elevation	1,180 m (3,870 ft)
Population  (2014 Census)
• Total	69,958

Entebbe Street

Sign post of European Cemetery in Entebbe, Uganda

Entebbe is a city in Central Uganda. It's located on a peninsula that sticks out into Lake Victoria. This makes it a beautiful place right by Africa's largest lake.

Entebbe is about 36 kilometers (22 miles) southwest of Kampala, Uganda's capital city. Before Uganda became independent in 1962, Entebbe was where the government was located.

Today, Entebbe is home to Entebbe International Airport. This is Uganda's biggest airport for both regular flights and military planes. It became famous in 1976 because of a daring rescue mission. Israeli soldiers saved over 100 people who were taken hostage by hijackers. Entebbe is also where you'll find State House, which is the official home and office of the President of Uganda.

What Does "Entebbe" Mean?

The name "Entebbe" comes from the Luganda language. The word e ntebe means 'seat' or 'chair'.

Long ago, Entebbe was a special place for the Mamba clan. They called it "entebbe za Mugula." Mugula was the name of a local chief. This is why it was called a "seat." It was a place where important decisions were made. Before Uganda became independent, British governors used it as their seat of power. Now, it's the official residence of the President of Uganda.

Where is Entebbe Located?

Entebbe is on the northern shore of Lake Victoria, which is Africa's largest lake. The city is in Wakiso District. It's about 34 kilometers (21 miles) south of Kampala, Uganda's capital and largest city.

The city is on a peninsula that goes into Lake Victoria. It covers a total area of 56.2 square kilometers (21.7 square miles). About 20 square kilometers (7.7 square miles) of this area is water. Some of the neighborhoods in Entebbe City include Bugonga, Katabi, Nakiwogo, Nsamizi, Kitooro, Lunnyo, and Lugonjo.

Entebbe International Airport

How Many People Live in Entebbe?

In 2002, about 55,100 people lived in Entebbe. By 2014, a national count showed that Entebbe's population was 69,958 people. The number of people living in the city has grown over the years.

A Look Back in Time: Entebbe's History

Entebbe became an important center for the British colonial government in 1893. This was when Sir Gerald Portal, a British official, set up his base there. It was used as a port for ships on Lake Victoria. Even though ships don't dock there much anymore, you can still see the old jetty.

Entebbe International Airport has been part of some very famous events:

• In 1952, Queen Elizabeth II left Africa from this airport. She was on her way back to England when she found out her father had died. This meant she would become Queen.
• On July 4, 1976, the airport was the scene of Operation Entebbe. This was a hostage rescue mission. Soldiers from the Israeli Army saved over 100 hostages. They had been taken by hijackers.

Entebbe has also been a place for important peace talks. It hosted the final discussions to end the M23 rebellion.

Entebbe: A Center for Health Research

Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI) sign post

Entebbe is home to the Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI). This is a Ugandan government organization. It provides space for important health research.

Many groups work here, like:

• The International AIDS Vaccine Initiative, which works on an HIV vaccine.
• The UK Medical Research Centre Laboratories (MRC).
• The US Centre for Disease Control (CDC).
• The National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Most of the research at UVRI focuses on infectious diseases. This includes studies on HIV, tuberculosis, malaria, and helminth infections. Entebbe also used to be the main office for Uganda National Medical Stores.

Fun Places to Visit in Entebbe

Entebbe has many interesting places for visitors:

• The large National Botanical Gardens were created in 1898. They are a great place to see many different plants.
• The Uganda Wildlife Education Centre (UWEC) is also in Entebbe. This center is like a national zoo. You can learn about and see many animals here.
• Nkumba University is located here. It is one of many universities in Uganda.
• State House is the official home of the President of Uganda.
• Kigungu is a historical site in Entebbe. It's where the first Catholic missionaries, Brother Amans and Father Mon Maple Lourdel, arrived in Uganda. They helped start the Catholic faith in the country.
• Entebbe is home to the oldest golf course in East Africa. It's called Entebbe Golf Club and was built in 1900. It's right next to the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre.

Wildlife Education Centre Entebbe

Other Interesting Spots

You can find the offices of the Entebbe City Council here. There are also several banks. If you need to shop, the supermarket chain Shoprite has a store in Entebbe. In 2014, the American fast-food chain KFC also opened a restaurant in the city.

Entebbe is home to the Entebbe Children's Surgical Hospital. This is a special hospital for children's surgery. It is run by Emergency, an international group. They provide free medical care to people affected by war, poverty, and landmines.

Entebbe's Weather

Climate

Entebbe has a tropical rainforest climate. This means it doesn't have a true dry season. It rains throughout the year. July is usually the driest month, with about 72 millimeters (2.8 inches) of rain. April is the wettest, with about 264 millimeters (10.4 inches) of rain.

The temperature in Entebbe is not too hot or too cold because of its altitude. February is the warmest month, with an average temperature of 22.8°C (73.0°F). July is the coolest, with an average temperature of 20.6°C (69.1°F).

Images for kids

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  Sunset over Entebbe

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  Entebbe International Airport

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  Bugonga Church in Entebbe

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  Entebbe sits on the northern shores of Lake Victoria

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  Entebbe along Lake Victoria

See also

In Spanish: Entebbe para niños