Hey Darryl!

 DP> Is uptime contained in some other package?

I am using the 'uptime' that comes with the procps-ng package, version 3.3.10
to be more specific.

 DP> If not, then what's the deal?

Weird if not available.  procps has been a standard package for ages.

Life is good,
Maurice

... Don't cry for me I have vi.
--- GNU bash, version 4.3.33(1)-release (x86_64-atom-linux-gnu)