By Adkhamjon Janobiddinov
Uzbekistan and Uganda established diplomatic relations on January 18, 2024. Representatives from both countries expressed their interest to collaborate and support each other within international organizations like the United Nations. This article aims to introduce Uzbekistan to Ugandans, highlighting unique aspects of this country.
Located in the heart of Central Asia, Uzbekistan is a nation with over more than 3000-year history and played a key role in the ancient Silk Road. Uzbekistan is a great destination for history enthusiasts, boasting seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites and thousands of historical wonders throughout the country. Cities like Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva, and Tashkent, each with a history dating back over 2,500 years.
The country is composed of 12 regions, the Republic of Karakalpakstan, and the capital Tashkent city. Each region of the country has its own beauty and unique history. Tashkent is the capital of Uzbekistan and is home to many architectural wonders, from Soviet buildings to modern skyscrapers. The city is also home to one of the oldest and most traditional bazaars in Central Asia, the Chorsu bazaar. Samarkand is another fascinating city that has been compared to Athens, Cairo, and Damascus. Samarkand is over 2,750 years old and is home to several architectural wonders such as Registan Square, the Shakhi-Zinda Complex, and many more. Khiva and Bukhara are over 2,500 years old and are known as open-air museums. The city of Kokand is located in the Ferghana Valley and is known as the capital of crafts. The city is home to many artists who have been creating handmade goods since the days of the ancient Silk Road.
Regarding Uzbekistan’s nature, there are several mountains, such as the Chatkal Range of the Tien Shan and many others. Much of the Navoi region is covered by Kyzylkum, the largest desert in Central Asia. In the northern-west of the country, there is the Aral sea. The Aral sea is also known as the largest neglected environmental problem in the world. Due to mismanagement of water resources during the Soviet era, the sea, which was once the 4th largest lake in the world, lost more than 90% of its water to this day. As a result, the unique flora and fauna of the Aral Sea became extinct, and millions of people in the surrounding area were affected by sandstorms during windy seasons, as large amounts of salt were released after the sea dried up.
However, the Uzbek government is taking steps to lessen the impact of the Aral Sea. Visitors often enjoy exploring the unique environment of the sea and learning about the history of the Aral Sea. There is also a ship graveyard near the sea that visitors often enjoy visiting. The development of tourism in the Aral region also helped improve the local economy which used to be dependent on fishing previously.
It is also important to highlight historical figures born in modern-day Uzbekistan, who contributed to the development of the world we live in today. Muhammad Al-Khwarizmi, a famous mathematician, was born in ancient Khorezm. Al-Khwarizmi invented algebra, a fundamental math concept that is taught all over the world today, with the name “algebra” originating from the name of his book “al-jabr” (al jabr w’al muqabala). He also invented algorithms, which would later lead to the invention of the computer and other modern technologies.
Another famous historical figure from the land of Uzbekistan is Ibn Sina. Ibn Sina is better known as Avicenna, and he is considered one of the founders of early medicine. He wrote “The Canon of Medicine,” a book that became a standard medical text in both the East and West for over a thousand years. Furthermore, he was one of the first to provide the correct explanation of pulsation. Al-Biruni is another important scientist born in Beruni, Uzbekistan. Biruni used trigonometry to calculate the radius of the Earth using measurements of the height of a hill and measurement of the dip in the horizon from the top of that hill. His calculated radius for the Earth is 6,340 kilometers. This was two percent higher than the actual mean radius of 6,371 km but was an achievement that bested many other contributions to science at the time. The list goes on as there are many other Uzbeks that contributed to the development of the world as we see it today.
Despite the geographical distance between these two countries, there are also similarities between Uzbekistan and Uganda. Firstly, both countries have a huge youth population which is a sign of high economical potential. In both countries, the family is seen as the fundamental unit of society, serving as a reproductive, socio-cultural, and spiritual/moral base. Furthermore, Uzbekistan and Uganda have their authentic culture that has been polished for centuries. These similarities serve as a tool to strengthen and expand ties between these nations and contribute to a harmonious world.
