Uganda

Uganda

Introduction

Background

The colonial boundaries created by Britain to delimit Uganda grouped together a wide range of ethnic groups with different political systems and cultures. These differences prevented the establishment of a working political community after independence was achieved 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. The rule of Yoweri MUSEVENI since 1986 has brought relative stability and economic growth to Uganda. During the 1990s, the government promulgated non-party presidential and legislative elections.

Geography

Location

Eastern Africa, west of Kenya, east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Geographic coordinates

1 00 N, 32 00 E

Map references

Africa

Area

total: 241,038 sq km
country comparison to the world: 81 land:197,100 sq km
water:43,938 sq km

Area – comparative

slightly smaller than Oregon

Land boundaries

total: 2,698 km
border countries:Democratic Republic of the Congo 765 km, Kenya 933 km, Rwanda 169 km, South Sudan 435 km, Tanzania 396 km

Coastline

0 km (landlocked)

Maritime claims

none (landlocked)

Climate

tropical

generally rainy with two dry seasons (December to February, June to August)

semiarid in northeast

Terrain

mostly plateau with rim of mountains

Elevation extremes

lowest point: Lake Albert 621 m
highest point:Margherita Peak on Mount Stanley 5,110 m

Natural resources

copper, cobalt, hydropower, limestone, salt, arable land, gold

Land use

arable land: 21.57%
permanent crops:8.92%
other:69.51% (2005)

Irrigated land

90 sq km (2008)

Total renewable water resources

66 cu km (1970)

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

total: 0.3cu km/yr (43%/17%/40%)
per capita:10cu m/yr (2002)

Natural hazards

NA

Environment – current issues

draining of wetlands for agricultural use

deforestation

overgrazing

soil erosion

water hyacinth infestation in Lake Victoria

widespread poaching

Environment – international agreements

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

Geography – note

landlocked

fertile, well-watered country with many lakes and rivers

People and Society

Nationality

noun: Ugandan(s)
adjective:Ugandan

Ethnic groups

Baganda 16.9%, Banyakole 9.5%, Basoga 8.4%, Bakiga 6.9%, Iteso 6.4%, Langi 6.1%, Acholi 4.7%, Bagisu 4.6%, Lugbara 4.2%, Bunyoro 2.7%, other 29.6% (2002 census)

Languages

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

Religions

Roman Catholic 41.9%, Protestant 42% (Anglican 35.9%, Pentecostal 4.6%, Seventh-Day Adventist 1.5%), Muslim 12.1%, other 3.1%, none 0.9% (2002 census)

Population

34,612,250 (July 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 36 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, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected

Age structure

0-14 years: 49.9% (male 8,692,239/female 8,564,571)
15-64 years:48.1% (male 8,383,548/female 8,255,473)
65 years and over:2.1% (male 291,602/female 424,817) (2011 est.)

Median age

total: 15.1 years
male:15 years
female:15.1 years (2011 est.)

Population growth rate

3.576% (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 3

Birth rate

47.49 births/1,000 population (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 2

Death rate

11.71 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 33

Net migration rate

-0.02 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 116

Urbanization

urban population: 13% of total population (2010)
rate of urbanization:4.8% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

Major cities – population

KAMPALA (capital) 1.535 million (2009)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years:1.01 male(s)/female
15-64 years:1.01 male(s)/female
65 years and over:0.7 male(s)/female
total population:1.01 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

Maternal mortality rate

430 deaths/100,000 live births (2008)
country comparison to the world: 32

Infant mortality rate

total: 62.47 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 29 male:66.05 deaths/1,000 live births
female:58.77 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 53.24 years
country comparison to the world: 203 male:52.17 years
female:54.33 years (2011 est.)

Total fertility rate

6.69 children born/woman (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 2

Health expenditures

8.2% of GDP (2009)
country comparison to the world: 51

Physicians density

0.117 physicians/1,000 population (2005)
country comparison to the world: 161

Hospital bed density

0.39 beds/1,000 population (2009)
country comparison to the world: 177

Drinking water source

improved:
urban: 91% of population
rural: 64% of population
total: 67% of population
unimproved:
urban: 9% of population
rural: 36% of population
total: 33% of population (2008)

Sanitation facility access

improved:
urban: 38% of population
rural: 49% of population
total: 48% of population
unimproved:
urban: 62% of population
rural: 51% of population
total: 52% of population (2008)

HIV/AIDS – adult prevalence rate

6.5% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 10

HIV/AIDS – people living with HIV/AIDS

1.2 million (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 8

HIV/AIDS – deaths

64,000 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 8

Major infectious diseases

degree of risk: very high
food or waterborne diseases:bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases:malaria, plague, and African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness)
water contact disease:schistosomiasis
animal contact disease:rabies (2009)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

16.4% (2006)
country comparison to the world: 51

Education expenditures

3.2% of GDP (2009)
country comparison to the world: 123

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population:66.8%
male:76.8%
female:57.7% (2002 census)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 11 years
male:11 years
female:11 years (2009)

Government

Country name

conventional long form: Republic of Uganda
conventional short form:Uganda

Government type

republic

Capital

name: Kampala
geographic coordinates:0 19 N, 32 25 E
time difference:UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Administrative divisions

80 districts

Abim, Adjumani, Amolatar, Amuria, Amuru, Apac, Arua, Budaka, Bududa, Bugiri, Bukedea, Bukwa, Bulisa, Bundibugyo, Bushenyi, Busia, Butaleja, Dokolo, Gulu, Hoima, Ibanda, Iganga, Isingiro, Jinja, Kaabong, Kabale, Kabarole, Kaberamaido, Kalangala, Kaliro, Kampala, Kamuli, Kamwenge, Kanungu, Kapchorwa, Kasese, Katakwi, Kayunga, Kibale, Kiboga, Kiruhara, Kisoro, Kitgum, Koboko, Kotido, Kumi, Kyenjojo, Lira, Luwero, Lyantonde, Manafwa, Maracha, Masaka, Masindi, Mayuge, Mbale, Mbarara, Mityana, Moroto, Moyo, Mpigi, Mubende, Mukono, Nakapiripirit, Nakaseke, Nakasongola, Namutumba, Nebbi, Ntungamo, Oyam, Pader, Pallisa, Rakai, Rukungiri, Sembabule, Sironko, Soroti, Tororo, Wakiso, Yumbe

Independence

9 October 1962 (from the UK)

National holiday

Independence Day, 9 October (1962)

Constitution

8 October 1995

amended 2005
note:the amendments in 2005 removed presidential term limits and legalized a multiparty political system

Legal system

mixed legal system of English common law and customary law

International law organization participation

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations

accepts ICCt jurisdiction

Suffrage

18 years of age

universal

Executive branch

chief of state: President Lt. Gen. Yoweri Kaguta MUSEVENI (since seizing power on 26 January 1986)

Vice President Edward SSEKANDI (since 24 May 2011) note – the president is both chief of state and head of government
head of government:President Lt. Gen. Yoweri Kaguta MUSEVENI (since seizing power on 26 January 1986)

Prime Minister Amama MBABAZI (since 24 May 2011)

note – the prime minister assists the president in the supervision of the cabinet
cabinet:Cabinet appointed by the president from among elected legislators
(For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections:president reelected by popular vote for a five-year term

election last held on 18 February 2011 (next to be held in 2016)
election results:Lt. Gen. Yoweri Kaguta MUSEVENI elected president

percent of vote – Lt. Gen. Yoweri Kaguta MUSEVENI 68.4%, Kizza BESIGYE 26.0%, other 5.6%

Legislative branch

unicameral National Assembly (372 seats

215 members elected by popular vote, 104 nominated by legally established special interest groups [women 79, army 10, disabled 5, youth 5, labor 5], 13 ex-officio members

members to serve five-year terms)

note – the composition of the National Assembly has changed but the the details are not yet available
elections:last held on 18 February 2011 (next to be held in 2016)
election results:percent of vote by party – NA

seats by party – NRM 279, FDC 34, DP 11, UPC 9, CP 1, JEEMA 1, independents 37

Judicial branch

Court of Appeal (judges are appointed by the president and approved by the legislature)

High Court (judges are appointed by the president)

Political parties and leaders

Conservative Party or CP [Ken LUKYAMUZI]

Democratic Party or DP [Kizito SSEBAANA]

Forum for Democratic Change or FDC [Kizza BESIGYE]

Inter-Party Co-operation or IPC (a coalition of opposition groups)

Justice Forum or JEEMA [Muhammad Kibirige MAYANJA]

National Resistance Movement or NRM [Yoweri MUSEVENI]

Peoples Progressive Party or PPP [Bidandi SSALI]

Ugandan People’s Congress or UPC [Miria OBOTE]
note:a national referendum in July 2005 opened the way for Uganda’s transition to a multi-party political system

Political pressure groups and leaders

Lord’s Resistance Army or LRA [Joseph KONY]

Young Parliamentary Association [Henry BANYENZAKI]

Parliamentary Advocacy Forum or PAFO

National Association of Women Organizations in Uganda or NAWOU [Florence NEKYON]

The Ugandan Coalition for Political Accountability to Women or COPAW

International organization participation

ACP, AfDB, AU, C, COMESA, EAC, EADB, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMISS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Perezi Karukubiro KAMUNANWIRE
chancery:5911 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20011
telephone:[1] (202) 726-7100 through 7102, 0416
FAX:[1] (202) 726-1727

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Jerry P. LANIER
embassy:1577 Ggaba Road, Kampala
mailing address:P. O. Box 7007, Kampala
telephone:[256] (414) 259 791 through 93, 95
FAX:[256] (414) 258-794

Flag description

six equal horizontal bands of black (top), yellow, red, black, yellow, and red

a white disk is superimposed at the center and depicts a red-crested crane (the national symbol) facing the hoist side

black symbolizes the African people, yellow sunshine and vitality, red African brotherhood

the crane was the military badge of Ugandan soldiers under the UK

National symbol(s)

grey crowned crane

National anthem

name: “Oh Uganda, Land of Beauty!”
lyrics/music:George Wilberforce KAKOMOA
note:adopted 1962

Economy

Economy – overview

Uganda has substantial natural resources, including fertile soils, regular rainfall, small deposits of copper, gold, and other minerals, and recently discovered oil. Uganda has never conducted a national minerals survey. 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. Since 1990 economic reforms ushered in an era of solid economic growth based on continued investment in infrastructure, improved incentives for production and exports, lower inflation, better domestic security, and the return of exiled Indian-Ugandan entrepreneurs. Uganda has received about $2 billion in multilateral and bilateral debt relief. In 2007 Uganda received $10 million for a Millennium Challenge Account Threshold Program. The global economic downturn has hurt Uganda’s exports

however, Uganda’s GDP growth is still relatively strong due to past reforms and sound management of the downturn. Oil revenues and taxes will become a larger source of government funding as oil comes on line in the next few years. Instability in southern Sudan is the biggest risk for the Ugandan economy in 2011 because Uganda’s main export partner is Sudan, and Uganda is a key destination for Sudanese refugees.

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$42.15 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 97 $40.08 billion (2009 est.)
$37.37 billion (2008 est.)
note:data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP (official exchange rate)

$17.01 billion (2010 est.)

GDP – real growth rate

5.2% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 66 7.2% (2009 est.)
8.7% (2008 est.)

GDP – per capita (PPP)

$1,300 (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 203 $1,200 (2009 est.)
$1,200 (2008 est.)
note:data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP – composition by sector

agriculture: 22.5%
industry:26.5%
services:50.9% (2010 est.)

Labor force

15.51 million (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 38

Labor force – by occupation

agriculture: 82%
industry:5%
services:13% (1999 est.)

Unemployment rate

NA%

Population below poverty line

35% (2001 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 2.4%
highest 10%:36.1% (2009)

Distribution of family income – Gini index

44.3 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 44 45.7 (2002)

Investment (gross fixed)

23.2% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 76

Budget

revenues: $2.544 billion
expenditures:$3.137 billion (2010 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

15% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 185

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-3.5% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 110

Public debt

21.8% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 105 20.9% of GDP (2009 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

4% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 135 13.4% (2009 est.)

Central bank discount rate

14% (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 34 9.65% (31 December 2009 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

20.17% (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 19 20.96% (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$2.041 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 119 $1.881 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of broad money

$4.199 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 127 $3.718 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$2.496 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 127 $1.801 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$NA (31 December 2010)
country comparison to the world: 117 $116.3 million (#REF!)

Agriculture – products

coffee, tea, cotton, tobacco, cassava (tapioca), potatoes, corn, millet, pulses, cut flowers

beef, goat meat, milk, poultry

Industries

sugar, brewing, tobacco, cotton textiles

cement, steel production

Industrial production growth rate

8.9% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 33

Electricity – production

2.176 billion kWh (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 133

Electricity – consumption

1.958 billion kWh (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 137

Electricity – exports

82.04 million kWh (2009)

Electricity – imports

82.04 million kWh (2009 est.)

Oil – production

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 138

Oil – consumption

14,000 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 143

Oil – exports

0 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 137

Oil – imports

13,770 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 134

Oil – proved reserves

1 billion bbl (1 January 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 40

Natural gas – production

0 cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 135

Natural gas – consumption

0 cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 135

Natural gas – exports

0 cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 195

Natural gas – imports

0 cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 195

Natural gas – proved reserves

14.16 billion cu m (1 January 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 79

Current account balance

-$729.1 million (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 123 -$1.064 billion (2009 est.)

Exports

$2.164 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 130 $2.327 billion (2009 est.)

Exports – commodities

coffee, fish and fish products, tea, cotton, flowers, horticultural products

gold

Exports – partners

Sudan 15.3%, Kenya 10.2%, Rwanda 8.5%, Democratic Republic of the Congo 7.8%, UAE 7.7%, Netherlands 6.4%, Germany 5.4%, Belgium 4.1% (2010)

Imports

$4.264 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 125 $3.787 billion (2009 est.)

Imports – commodities

capital equipment, vehicles, petroleum, medical supplies

cereals

Imports – partners

Kenya 17.1%, UAE 14.1%, China 8.5%, India 8.2%, South Africa 6.2%, Japan 5.9%, Germany 4.3% (2010)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$2.96 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 101 $2.995 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
note:excludes gold

Debt – external

$2.938 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 131 $2.49 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment – at home

$NA

Stock of direct foreign investment – abroad

$NA

Exchange rates

Ugandan shillings (UGX) per US dollar -
2,166 (2010)
2,030 (2009)
1,658.1 (2008)
1,685.8 (2007)
1,834.9 (2006)

Transportation

Airports

46 (2010)
country comparison to the world:94

Airports – with paved runways

total: 5
over 3,047 m:3
1,524 to 2,437 m:1
914 to 1,523 m:1 (2010)

Airports – with unpaved runways

total: 41
over 3,047 m:1
1,524 to 2,437 m:7
914 to 1,523 m:25
under 914 m:8 (2010)

Railways

total: 1,244 km
country comparison to the world: 82 narrow gauge:1,244 km 1.000-m gauge (2010)

Roadways

total: 70,746 km
country comparison to the world: 67 paved:16,272 km
unpaved:54,474 km (2003)

Waterways

(there are no long navigable stretches of river in Uganda

parts of the Albert Nile that flow out of Lake Albert in the northwestern part of the country are navigable

several lakes including Lake Victoria and Lake Kyoga have substantial traffic

Lake Albert is navigable along a 200-km stretch from its northern tip to its southern shores) (2009)

Ports and terminals

Entebbe, Jinja, Port Bell

Military

Military branches

Uganda Peoples Defense Force (UPDF): Army (includes Marine Unit), Uganda Air Force (2010)

Military service age and obligation

18-26 years of age for voluntary military duty

18-30 years of age for professionals

no conscription

9-year service obligation

the government has stated that recruitment under 18 years of age could occur with proper consent and that “no person under the apparent age of 13 years shall be enrolled in the armed forces”

Ugandan citizenship and secondary education required (2010)

Manpower available for military service

males age 16-49: 7,249,271
females age 16-49:7,025,439 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 16-49: 4,313,068
females age 16-49:4,200,901 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

male: 423,923
female:420,236 (2010 est.)

Military expenditures

2.2% of GDP (2006)
country comparison to the world: 67

Transnational Issues

Disputes – international

Uganda is subject to armed fighting among hostile ethnic groups, rebels, armed gangs, militias, and various government forces that extend across its borders

Uganda hosts 209,860 Sudanese, 27,560 Congolese, and 19,710 Rwandan refugees, while Ugandan refugees as well as members of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) seek shelter in southern Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Garamba National Park

LRA forces have also attacked Kenyan villages across the border

Refugees and internally displaced persons

refugees (country of origin): 215,700 (Sudan)

28,880 (Democratic Republic of Congo)

24,900 (Rwanda)
IDPs:1.27 million (350,000 IDPs returned in 2006 following ongoing peace talks between the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) and the Government of Uganda) (2007)