Uganda Equator

The Uganda equator is one of the most and well known landmarks in Uganda.” The intersection of the earth’s surface with the plane perpendicular to the earth’s axis of rotation and containing the earth’s center of mass” is what Wikipedia sometimes refers to the equator as, but it is still the imaginary line that divides the world into two halves. The Equator is an imaginary line that is seen on maps marking the equidistant from the North and South Pole. Along the imaginary line of the equator, a magnetic needle has no dip and stabilizes in perfect horizontal position. You are able to stand with one of your feet in the northern hemisphere and the other in the southern hemisphere at this point; it is such an amazing experience to stand at both sides of the world. The sun rises and falls rather so fast at the equator, with equal days and nights’ length. The people around the equator experience only warm temperatures and tropical climate throughout the year and therefore quite hard to tell the difference between seasons.

Uganda Equator

The Equator is located in Kayabwe, Mpigi District, about 72 kilometers from Kampala city, the capital of Uganda. You will find the poster for the Uganda Equator on Kampala-Masaka road 420 kilometers from Kampala. South west of Kampala; you will be able to locate markers of the equator in Kasese District within the Queen Elizabeth National Park. You will experience warm temperatures while at the Equator as you stand in the middle of the world. Please remember to have a sunscreen for your skin.

Water experiment at the equator

How does water swirl in opposite directions at the different spheres at the Equator?

It is at the equator where you will see water drain straight down. The movement and drainage of the water will differ from the Northern and the southern hemispheres at the Equator line. In the demonstration of the carioles effect. With movement that changes direction suddenly, something in motion to the left or right when moving on a rotating body like the earth. In some cases pressure weather cyclonical systems perform this, having a clockwise rotation in the north and a counter clockwise in the southern hemisphere. From a realistic perspective, you may not be able to see this as motion would not be seen with water in small amounts. At the equator, a show manship is used to stimulate the effect. While in the northern hemisphere, the water will drain down the hole in a clockwise direction yet take the counter clockwise direction as it drains from the southern hemisphere down the hole.

Is one lighter while at the Equator?

Yes you will find out that you are 3% lighter while at the equator line. Here is how it comes about; weight is a force of which gravity acts on mass. Along the equator, anyone’s weight will be less by 0.5% thus gravity is 0.5 % less at the Equator. This is inclined to the earth not being a perfect sphere. At the poles, it is flattened. You will be a few tons of kilometers away from the center of the earth while standing at the equator unlike when standing at the poles. Gravity is therefore only slightly less at the equator because it falls off with distance.

At the Equator,in Kasese south west of Kampala

What souvenirs can I get at the Equator?

It is quite an exceptional experience at the equator; remember to carry a souvenir for your family and friends on your way back. A number of structures have been set up around the area of the equator with so many amazing crafts and art pieces from the craft shops. You will get yourself a number of products from the gallery antique and the Aid child gallery. You will find T shirts with expressions like ‘I have crossed the equator’ get one for yourself and friends. You will also be able to enjoy a tasty meal and coffee at one of the restaurants there.

Photo moment at the Uganda Equator

How do I get to the Equator?

Getting there

As you travel from Kampala city, you will drive for 72 kilometers to Kayabwe in Mpigi District along Kampala Masaka road. Opting to use public means, a coaster or bus that can be boarded from the New taxi park will charge you between 10,000/= to 15,000/= Uganda shillings which is approximately 4-6 US Dollars.