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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 another 100,000 lives. During the 1990s
the government promulgated non-party presidential and legislative
elections.
Area: 236,040 sq km
Population: 23,985,712
Ethnic groups: Baganda 17%, Karamojong 12%, Basogo 8%, Iteso 8%,
Langi 6%, Rwanda 6%, Bagisu 5%, Acholi 4%, Lugbara 4%, Bunyoro 3%,
Batoro 3%, non-African (European, Asian, Arab) 1%, other 23%
Religions: Protestant 38%, Roman Catholic 28%, indigenous beliefs
26%, Muslim 7%, other 1%
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
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 61.8%
male: 73.7%
female: 50.2% (1995 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 8.3% (1999 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 820,000 (1999 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths: 110,000 (1999 est.)
Capital: Kampala
Administrative divisions: 45 districts; Adjumani, Apac, Arua, Bugiri,
Bundibugyo, Bushenyi, Busia, Gulu, Hoima, Iganga, Jinja, Kabale,
Kabarole, Kalangala, Kampala, Kamuli, Kapchorwa, Kasese, Katakwi,
Kibale, Kiboga, Kisoro, Kitgum, Kotido, Kumi, Lira, Luwero, Masaka,
Masindi, Mbale, Mbarara, Moroto, Moyo, Mpigi, Mubende, Mukono, Nakasongola,
Nebbi, Ntungamo, Pallisa, Rakai, Rukungiri, Sembabule, Soroti, Tororo.
Political parties and leaders: only one political organization,
the National Resistance Movement or NRM [President MUSEVENI, chairman]
is allowed to operate unfettered; note - the president maintains
that the NRM is not a political party, but a movement which claims
the loyalty of all Ugandans
note: the new constitution requires the suspension of political
parties while the Movement system 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 [Joshua S. MAYANJA-NKANGI]; Justice Forum [Muhammad
Kibirige MAYANJA]; and National Democrats Forum [Chapaa KARUHANGA]
Economy - overview: 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 is the major
export crop and 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.
In 1990-2000, 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. Ongoing Ugandan involvement in the war in the Democratic
Republic of the Congo, 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 HIPC debt relief worth $1.3 billion and Paris Club
debt relief worth $145 million. These amounts combined with the
original Highly Indebted Poor Countries HIPC debt relief add up
to about $2 billion. Growth for 2001 should be somewhat lower than
in 2000, because of a decline in the price of coffee, Uganda's principal
export.
Population below poverty line: 55% (1993 est.)
Currency: Ugandan shilling
Information taken from the CIA
world factbook.
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Cambridge or ex-Cambridge students that
have spent time in Uganda (click here
to add yourself):
Name: Frances Denniss
Email: fakd2@cam.ac.uk
College: Trinity Hall
Where were you? Just outside Iganga, Uganda
What did you do? I was teaching with Africa Venture. I was in a
girls boarding primary school, teaching maths to P3. I loved it,
and would definitely recommend it to anyone. It's a big challenge,
and (as we were told) the more you put in the more you get out.
I loved the girls (though they could be very badly behaved), and
miss it a lot.
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