Official Name
Republic of Uganda
Capital Kampala
Currencies New Uganda shilling
Language(s) English
Population 24 million
GNP per head (US$) 300
Area (square kilometres) 199550
Population per sq. km 120
Population per sq. mile 312


COUNTRY INFORMATION

Introduction

An east African country of fertile upland plateaus and mountains, Uganda has outlets to the sea through Kenya and Tanzania. Its history from independence in 1962 until 1986 was one of ethnic strife. Since 1986, under President Museveni, peace has been restored and steps have been taken to rebuild the economy and democracy.



Climate

Altitude and the influence of Lake Victoria moderate Uganda's climate. March–May is the wettest period.



People
Languages Luganda, Nkole, Chiga, Lango, Acholi, Teso, Lugbara, English
URBAN/RURAL POPULATION DIVIDE
Urban 14
% Rural 86
%

The predominantly rural population consists of 13 main ethnic groups. Traditional animosities were manipulated by ex-rulers Amin and Obote. Since 1986 President Museveni has worked hard for reconciliation, in 1993 allowing the restoration of the four historical monarchies. Uganda now has one of the best human rights records in Africa.



Economy
GNP (US$) 6699
M GNP World rank 100
 
Inflation 3 % Unemployment No data %

Strengths

Agriculture. Coffee brings in 93% of export earnings. Potential for more export crops. Road system is being repaired. Proinvestment policies.

Weaknesses

Lack of skilled workforce. Instability in the subregion affects confidence. World coffee price fluctuations. High transportation costs.



Politics
Lower house Last election 2001 Next election 2006
Upper house Last election Not applicable Next election Not applicable

Since 1986, President Museveni has run a "no-party democracy," with political parties represented in a broadly based government, but banned from campaigning. Continuing to overcome ethnic tension is the main issue after its catastrophic effect in the 1970s and 1980s. Rebel insurgencies in the north and west led to the deaths, kidnapping, and displacement of tens of thousands of people, and destroyed Uganda's economy. A referendum in June 2000 on a return to full multipartyism resulted in an overwhelming vote of support for the "no-party" system. In 2001, Museveni won another term in office, taking 69% of the vote, and his supporters maintained a clear majority in the legislative elections.



International Affairs
 

Relations with Sudan and the DRC are strained. Conflicts in these countries and in Rwanda have caused a large influx of refugees into Uganda. Uganda's support for antigovernment rebels in Sudan appeared to end during 1999. Ugandan forces embroiled in the fighting in the DRC were withdrawn from the front line in 2001.



Defence
Expenditure (US$) 247 M Portion of GDP 3 %
Army 140 main battle tanks (T-54/55)
Navy None
Airforce None
Nuclear capab. None

The pre-1986 army was responsible for many atrocities under Amin's rule. During the 1990s, Uganda was preoccupied with conflicts in neighboring countries, particularly the DRC, where it supported antigovernment rebels. The army has also been deployed to suppress internal rebellions.



Resources
Minerals Copper, cobalt, tin, apatite, magnetite, tungsten, gold
Oil reserves (barrels) No data Oil production (barrels/day) Not an oil producer

Mineral resources are varied but barely exploited. Uganda has sizable copper deposits. The mines, closed under Obote, are now being reopened. Gold and cobalt mining are also due to resume and oil exploration is under way. Hydroelectric output is being expanded, notably at Owen Falls, with the aim of replacing 50% of oil imports.



Environment
Protected land 10 % Part protected land 4 %
Environmental trends

Uganda's priority is economic reconstruction, but ecological issues are not ignored. The construction of a huge hydroelectric power plant at the Kabalega (Murchison) Falls, above Lake Albert, was canceled, following widespread environmental objections.



Communications
Main airport Entebbe International Passengers per year 436506
Motorways 0
km Roads 1800
km Railways 261
km

The government is rebuilding the transportation infrastructure with the help of international aid.



International Aid
Donated (US$) Not applicable
M Received (US$) 819
M

Aid has risen, mainly from the World Bank and the IMF, encouraged by Uganda's adoption of economic liberalization and private-sector investment policies. Aid has focused on balance-of-payments support, the rehabilitation of the key transportation sector, and the fight against AIDS.



Health
Life expectancy 44 Life expect. World rank 180
Population per doctor 20000 Infant mortality (per 1000 births) 83
Expend. % GDP 2 %
Principal causes of death Malaria, respiratory, and diarrheal diseases, measles

A successful education and prevention campaign has reduced the prevalence of HIV/AIDS to about 8%, from a peak of 14% in the early 1990s.



Education
Literacy 67 % Expend. % GNP 2

%

PERCENTAGE OF POPULATION IN FULL TIME EDUCATION
Primary 100 % Secondary 16 % Tertiary 2 %

All schools charge fees. Enrollment in primary schools is 94%, but only 11% of pupils go on to secondary school.



Criminality
Crime rate trend Up 83% in 1999
Prison population 21971
Murder 10 per 100,000 population
Rape 2 per 100,000 population
Theft 69 per 100,000 population

Crime levels are low, though theft in Kampala is a growing problem. In 2000, the remains were discovered of 780 followers of the cult of the Restoration of the Ten Commandments of God.



Wealth
Cars 2 per 1,000 population
Telephones 3 per 1,000 population
Televisions 27 per 1,000 population

Uganda has a small but growing middle class. Those close to the government form the wealthiest group. 44% of the population live below the poverty line.



Media
Newspapers There are 5 daily newspapers, New Vision, The Star, The Monitor, Ngabo, and Taifa Uganda Empya
TV services 2 services: 1 state-controlled, 1 independent
Radio services 4 services: 1 state-controlled, 3 independent


Tourism
Visitors per year 151000

Major attractions are Uganda's lakes and mountains, notably the rugged Ruwenzori range – the Mountains of the Moon. The brutal murder of eight foreign tourists by Rwandan fighters at the Bwindi national park in March 1999 was a severe setback for Uganda's recovery as a tourist destination.



History

Uganda's ancient kingdoms were ruled under a British protectorate from 1893 until independence in 1962.

  • 1962–1971 Milton Obote in power.
  • 1971–1986 Ethnic strife, economic collapse under Idi Amin and Obote.
  • 1986 President Museveni in power.
  • 1996 Museveni wins first presidential elections.
  • 2000 Referendum endorses "no-party" system.