Uganda takes its name from the Buganda kingdom, which encompasses a large portio

n of the south of the country, including the capital Kampala. The people of Ugan
da were hunter-gatherers until 1,700 to 2,300 years ago, when Bantu-speaking pop
ulations migrated to the southern parts of the country.
Beginning in 1894, the area was ruled as a protectorate by the British, who esta
blished administrative law across the territory. Uganda gained independence from
Britain on 9 October 1962. The period since then has been marked by intermitten
t conflicts, including a lengthy civil war against the Lord's Resistance Army in
the Northern Region, which has caused hundreds of thousands of casualties[8] an
d displaced more than a million people.[citation needed]
The official languages are English and Swahili, although "any other language may
be used as a medium of instruction in schools or other educational institutions
or for legislative, administrative or judicial purposes as may be prescribed by
law."[2][9] Luganda, a central language, is widely spoken across the country, a
nd several other languages are also spoken including Runyoro, Runyankole, Rukiga
, and Luo.[3] The president of Uganda is Yoweri Museveni