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Background:
|
 Uganda
achieved independence from the UK in 1962. The dictatorial
regime of Idi AMIN (1971-79) was responsible for the deaths of
some 300,000 opponents; guerrilla war and human rights abuses
under Milton OBOTE (1980-85) claimed at least another 100,000
lives. During the 1990s, the government promulgated non-party
presidential and legislative elections. |
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Location:
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Eastern Africa,
west of Kenya |
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Geographic coordinates:
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1 00 N, 32 00 E |
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Map references:
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Africa |
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Area:
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total:
236,040 sq km
water: 36,330 sq km
land: 199,710 sq km |
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Area - comparative:
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slightly smaller
than Oregon |
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Land boundaries:
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total:
2,698 km
border countries: Democratic Republic of the Congo 765
km, Kenya 933 km, Rwanda 169 km, Sudan 435 km, Tanzania 396 km |
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Coastline:
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0 km (landlocked) |
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Climate:
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tropical;
generally rainy with two dry seasons (December to February,
June to August); semiarid in northeast |
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Terrain:
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mostly plateau
with rim of mountains |
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Elevation extremes:
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lowest point:
Lake Albert 621 m
highest point: Margherita Peak on Mount Stanley 5,110 m |
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Natural resources:
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copper, cobalt,
hydropower, limestone, salt, arable land |
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Land use:
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arable land:
25.34%
permanent crops: 8.77%
other: 65.89% (1998 est.) |
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Irrigated land:
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90 sq km (1998
est.) |
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Natural hazards:
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NA |
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Environment - current issues:
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draining of
wetlands for agricultural use; deforestation; overgrazing;
soil erosion; water hyacinth infestation in Lake Victoria;
poaching is widespread |
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Environment - international agreements:
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party to:
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol,
Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of
the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection,
Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification |
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Geography - note:
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landlocked;
fertile, well-watered country with many lakes and rivers |
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Population:
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26,404,543
note: estimates for this country explicitly take into
account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can
result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and
death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in
the distribution of population by age and sex than would
otherwise be expected (July 2004 est.) |
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Age structure:
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0-14 years:
50.6% (male 6,696,193; female 6,653,764)
15-64 years: 47.1% (male 6,199,732; female 6,233,678)
65 years and over: 2.4% (male 269,990; female 351,186)
(2004 est.) |
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Median age:
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total:
14.8 years
female: 14.9 years (2004 est.)
male: 14.7 years |
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Population growth rate:
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2.97% (2004 est.) |
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Birth rate:
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46.31
births/1,000 population (2004 est.) |
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Death rate:
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16.61
deaths/1,000 population (2004 est.) |
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Net migration rate:
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0 migrant(s)/1,000
population
note: according to the UNHCR, by the end of 2001,
Uganda was host to 178,815 refugees from a number of
neighboring countries, including: Sudan 155,996, Rwanda
14,375, and Democratic Republic of the Congo 7,459 (2004 est.) |
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Sex ratio:
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at birth:
1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female
total population: 1 male(s)/female (2004 est.) |
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Infant mortality rate:
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total:
86.15 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 78.5 deaths/1,000 live births (2004 est.)
male: 93.58 deaths/1,000 live births |
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Life expectancy at birth:
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total
population: 45.28 years
male: 43.76 years
female: 46.83 years (2004 est.) |
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HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
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5% (2001 est.) |
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HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
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600,000 (2001
est.) |
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HIV/AIDS - deaths:
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84,000 (2001
est.) |
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Nationality:
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noun:
Ugandan(s)
adjective: Ugandan |
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Ethnic groups:
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Baganda 17%,
Ankole 8%, Basoga 8%, Iteso 8%, Bakiga 7%, Langi 6%, Rwanda
6%, Bagisu 5%, Acholi 4%, Lugbara 4%, Batoro 3%, Bunyoro 3%,
Alur 2%, Bagwere 2%, Bakonjo 2%, Jopodhola 2%, Karamojong 2%,
Rundi 2%, non-African (European, Asian, Arab) 1%, other 8% |
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Religions:
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Roman Catholic
33%, Protestant 33%, Muslim 16%, indigenous beliefs 18% |
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Languages:
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English (official
national language, taught in grade schools, used in courts of
law and by most newspapers and some radio broadcasts), Ganda
or Luganda (most widely used of the Niger-Congo languages,
preferred for native language publications in the capital and
may be taught in school), other Niger-Congo languages,
Nilo-Saharan languages, Swahili, Arabic |
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Literacy:
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definition:
age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 69.9%
male: 79.5%
female: 60.4% (2003 est.) |
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Country name:
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conventional
long form: Republic of Uganda
conventional short form: Uganda |
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Government type:
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republic |
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Capital:
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Kampala |
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Administrative divisions:
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56
districts; Adjumani, Apac, Arua, Bugiri, Bundibugyo, Bushenyi,
Busia, Gulu, Hoima, Iganga, Jinja, Kabale, Kabarole,
Kaberamaido, Kalangala, Kampala, Kamuli, Kamwenge, Kanungu,
Kapchorwa, Kasese, Katakwi, Kayunga, Kibale, Kiboga, Kisoro,
Kitgum, Kotido, Kumi, Kyenjojo, Lira, Luwero, Masaka, Masindi,
Mayuge, Mbale, Mbarara, Moroto, Moyo, Mpigi, Mubende, Mukono,
Nakapiripirit, Nakasongola, Nebbi, Ntungamo, Pader, Pallisa,
Rakai, Rukungiri, Sembabule, Sironko, Soroti, Tororo, Wakiso,
Yumbe |
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Independence:
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9
October 1962 (from UK) |
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National holiday:
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Independence
Day, 9 October (1962) |
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Constitution:
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8
October 1995; adopted by the interim, 284-member Constituent
Assembly, charged with debating the draft constitution that
had been proposed in May 1993; the Constituent Assembly was
dissolved upon the promulgation of the constitution in October
1995 |
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Legal system:
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in
1995, the government restored the legal system to one based on
English common law and customary law; accepts compulsory ICJ
jurisdiction, with reservations |
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Executive branch:
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chief
of state: President Lt. Gen. Yoweri Kaguta MUSEVENI (since
seizing power 26 January 1986); note - the president is both
chief of state and head of government
head of government: President Lt. Gen. Yoweri Kaguta
MUSEVENI (since seizing power 29 January 1986); Prime Minister
Apollo NSIBAMBI (since 5 April 1999); note - the president is
both chief of state and head of government; the prime minister
assists the president in the supervision of the cabinet
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president from among
elected legislators
elections: president reelected by popular vote for a
five-year term; election last held 12 March 2001 (next to be
held NA 2006); note - first popular election for president
since independence in 1962 was held in 1996; prime minister
appointed by the president
election results: Lt. Gen. Yoweri Kaguta MUSEVENI
elected president; percent of vote - Lt. Gen. Yoweri Kaguta
MUSEVENI 69.3%, Kizza BESIGYE 27.8% |
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Legislative branch:
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unicameral
National Assembly (303 members - 214 directly elected by
popular vote, 81 nominated by legally established special
interest groups [women 56, army 10, disabled 5, youth 5, labor
5], 8 ex officio members; members serve five-year terms)
elections: last held 26 June 2001 (next to be held May
or June 2006);
election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats
by party - NA; note - election campaigning by party was not
permitted |
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Judicial branch:
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Court
of Appeal (judges are appointed by the president and approved
by the legislature); High Court (judges are appointed by the
president) |
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Political parties and leaders:
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only
one political organization, the Movement (formerly the
NRM)[President MUSEVENI, chairman] is allowed to operate
unfettered; note - the president maintains that the Movement
is not a political party, but a mass organization, which
claims the loyalty of all Ugandans
note: the constitution requires the suspension of
political parties while the Movement organization is in
governance; of the political parties that exist but are
prohibited from sponsoring candidates, the most important are
the Ugandan People's Congress or UPC [Milton OBOTE];
Democratic Party or DP [Paul SSEMOGERERE]; Conservative Party
or CP [Ken LUKYAMUZI]; Justice Forum [Muhammad Kibirige
MAYANJA]; and National Democrats Forum [Chapaa KARUHANGA] |
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Political pressure groups and leaders:
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Popular
Resistance Against a Life President or PRALP |
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Diplomatic representation in the US:
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chief
of mission: Ambassador Edith Grace SSEMPALA
chancery: 5911 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20011
FAX: [1] (202) 726-1727
telephone: [1] (202) 726-7100 through 7102, 0416 |
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Diplomatic representation from the US:
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chief
of mission: Ambassador Jimmy KOLKER
embassy: 1577 Ggaba Rd., Kampala
mailing address: P. O. Box 7007, Kampala
telephone: [256] (41) 234-142
FAX: [256] (41) 258-451 |
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Economy - overview:
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Uganda has
substantial natural resources, including fertile soils,
regular rainfall, and sizable mineral deposits of copper and
cobalt. Agriculture is the most important sector of the
economy, employing over 80% of the work force. Coffee accounts
for the bulk of export revenues. Since 1986, the government -
with the support of foreign countries and international
agencies - has acted to rehabilitate and stabilize the economy
by undertaking currency reform, raising producer prices on
export crops, increasing prices of petroleum products, and
improving civil service wages. The policy changes are
especially aimed at dampening inflation and boosting
production and export earnings. During 1990-2001, the economy
turned in a solid performance based on continued investment in
the rehabilitation of infrastructure, improved incentives for
production and exports, reduced inflation, gradually improved
domestic security, and the return of exiled Indian-Ugandan
entrepreneurs. Corruption within the government and slippage
in the government's determination to press reforms raise
doubts about the continuation of strong growth. In 2000,
Uganda qualified for enhanced Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC)
debt relief worth $1.3 billion and Paris Club debt relief
worth $145 million. These amounts combined with the original
HIPC debt relief added up to about $2 billion. Growth for
2001-02 was solid despite continued decline in the price of
coffee, Uganda's principal export. Solid growth in 2003
reflected an upturn in Uganda's export markets. |
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GDP:
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purchasing power
parity - $36.1 billion (2003 est.) |
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GDP - real growth rate:
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4.4% (2003 est.) |
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GDP - per capita:
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purchasing power
parity - $1,400 (2003 est.) |
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GDP - composition by sector:
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agriculture:
43%
industry: 19%
services: 38% (2001 est.) |
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Population below poverty line:
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35% (2001 est.) |
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Inflation rate (consumer prices):
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0.1% (2002 est.) |
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Labor force:
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12 million (2001
est.) |
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Labor force - by occupation:
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agriculture 82%,
industry 5%, services 13% (1999 est.) |
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Unemployment rate:
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NA% (2002 est.) |
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Budget:
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revenues:
$959 million
expenditures: $1.04 billion, including capital
expenditures of $NA (FY98/99 est.) |
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Industries:
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sugar, brewing,
tobacco, cotton textiles, cement |
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Industrial production growth rate:
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6.3% (2002 est.) |
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Electricity - production:
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1.928 billion kWh
(2001) |
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Electricity - production by source:
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fossil fuel:
0.9%
hydro: 99.1%
other: 0% (2001)
nuclear: 0% |
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Electricity - consumption:
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1.62 billion kWh
(2001) |
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Oil - production:
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0 bbl/day (2001
est.) |
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Oil - consumption:
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8,750 bbl/day
(2001 est.) |
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Agriculture - products:
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coffee, tea,
cotton, tobacco, cassava (tapioca), potatoes, corn, millet,
pulses; beef, goat meat, milk, poultry, cut flowers |
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Exports:
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$495 million
f.o.b. (2003 est.) |
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Exports - commodities:
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coffee, fish and
fish products, tea; gold, cotton, flowers, horticultural
products |
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Exports - partners:
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Belgium 16.8%,
Netherlands 14.3%, Germany 7.9%, Spain 5.8%, US 4.9%, Italy
4.3%, Portugal 4.3%, UK 4.3%, Japan 4% (2002) |
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Imports:
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$1.179 billion
f.o.b. (2003 est.) |
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Imports - commodities:
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capital
equipment, vehicles, petroleum, medical supplies; cereals |
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Imports - partners:
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Kenya 46.4%,
South Africa 6.9%, India 5.7%, UK 5.6% (2002) |
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Debt - external:
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$2.8 billion
(2002 est.) |
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Economic aid - recipient:
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$1.4 billion
(2000) |
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Currency:
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Ugandan shilling
(UGX) |
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Currency code:
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UGX |
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Exchange rates:
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Ugandan shillings
per US dollar - 1,963.72 (2003), 1,797.55 (2002), 1,755.66
(2001), 1,644.48 (2000), 1,454.83 (1999) |
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Fiscal year:
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1 July - 30 June |
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Telephones - main lines in use:
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55,000 (2002) |
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Telephones - mobile cellular:
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393,300 (2002) |
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Telephone system:
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general
assessment: seriously inadequate; two cellular systems
have been introduced, but a sharp increase in the number of
main lines is essential; e-mail and Internet services are
available
domestic: intercity traffic by wire, microwave radio
relay, and radiotelephone communication stations, fixed and
mobile cellular systems for short-range traffic
international: country code - 256; satellite earth
stations - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) and 1 Inmarsat; analog
links to Kenya and Tanzania |
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Radio broadcast stations:
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AM 7, FM 33,
shortwave 2 (2001) |
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Television broadcast stations:
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8 (plus one
low-power repeater) (2001) |
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Internet country code:
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.ug |
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Internet hosts:
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2,242 (2002) |
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Internet users:
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100,000 (2002) |
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Railways:
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total:
1,241 km
narrow gauge: 1,241 km 1.000-m gauge (2002) |
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Highways:
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total:
27,000 km
paved: 1,809 km
unpaved: 25,191 km (1999 est.) |
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Waterways:
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Lake Victoria,
Lake Albert, Lake Kyoga, Lake George, Lake Edward, Victoria
Nile, Albert Nile |
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Ports and harbors:
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Entebbe, Jinja,
Port Bell |
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Merchant marine:
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total: 3
ships (1,000 GRT or over) 5,091 GRT/5,943 DWT
by type: roll on/roll off 3 (2003 est.) |
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Airports:
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27 (2003 est.) |
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Airports - with paved runways:
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total: 4
over 3,047 m: 3
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2003 est.) |
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Airports - with unpaved runways:
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total: 23
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 6
914 to 1,523 m: 9
under 914 m: 7 (2003 est.) |
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Military branches:
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Ugandan Peoples'
Defense Force (UPDF): Army, Marine Unit, Air Wing |
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Military manpower - availability:
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males age
15-49: 5,678,649 (2004 est.) |
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Military manpower - fit for military service:
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males age
15-49: 3,085,053 (2004 est.) |
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Military expenditures - dollar figure:
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$128.2 million
(2003) |
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Military expenditures - percent of GDP:
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2.1% (2003) |
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Disputes - international:
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Tutsi, Hutu,
Lendu, Hema, and other ethnic groups, associated political
rebels, armed gangs, militias, and various government forces
continue fighting in the Great Lakes region, transcending the
boundaries of Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo,
Rwanda, and Uganda to gain control over populated areas and
natural resources; government heads pledge to end conflict,
but localized violence continues despite UN peacekeeping
efforts; civil conflict in Sudan has extended Sudanese rebel
forces and refugees into Uganda and given shelter to Ugandan
Lord's Resistance Army soldiers in Sudan; Kenya and Uganda are
working together to stem cattle rustling and violence by
Lord's Resistance Army along the border |
This page was last updated on 11 May, 2004
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