Uganda

This Page was last updated on the 1st March, 2007.

 

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There is an urgent need for the truce between government forces and the rebel Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) to be renewed. The truce is running out. Talks between the government and the rebels were suspended by the rebels in January when the Sudanese president made it clear that the LRA was not welcome in Juba or Sudan generally. For years the Sudanese Government had tolerated the LRA bases in Sudan. The LRA's activities have included murderous raids into Uganda, kidnapping girls and boys from Ugandan territory. Hundreds of thousands of people have perished in the conflict, 1.7 million people have been displaced. Children near Gula walked miles every night to sleep in the relative safety of the town for years on end to avoid kidnap. Economic activity in the threatened northern areas of Uganda has been at a standstill at a time when the south of the country is making sustained economic recovery. The LRA leadership have gone to ground in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Kenyan government was approached to host talks, but turned down the request.

 

Fides, the Church's missionary news service has issued the following report:

There is increasing pressure to convince the Ugandan government and the Lord’s resistance Army rebels LRA to resume peace talks since the recent expiry of a cease fire agreed in August 2006 (see Fides 28 February 2007).
The Ugandan parliament has passed a resolution calling the parties to continue to respect the cease fire and to resume peace talks.
In the United States democrat congressman Donald Payne said he would present the House of Representatives with a resolution to call the parties to resume negotiations. “Unless peace talks are resumed quickly we can be sure that hostilities will - he said. “I think we must concentrate on trying to convince the governments in the region to cooperate”.
A similar resolution presented by republican Senator Sam Brownback from Kansas and democratic Senator Russell Feingold from Wisconsin was approved by the US Senate yesterday 2 March.
Congressman Payne took part in a organised by the United States Institute of Peace and Enough initiative. Speakers said the war in Uganda could be quickly ended of the international community makes a greater effort. “There is no need for billions of dollars to US troops on the spot, all we need is for the United States to take the diplomatic initiative to end one of the world’s most horrible wars” said John Prendergast of International Crisis Group and independent research group on international questions.
Former Ugandan minister Betty Bigombe who worked hard to promote talks with the LRA (see Fides 24, 27, 30 November 2004 and 13 December 2004) and studied at the United States Institute of Peace said firm diplomatic initiative and strong support from the international community are determinant to restore peace in northern Uganda. Mrs Bigombe expressed appreciation for the efforts of the Acholi leaders (the region’s principal ethnic group to which most of the victims belong), who are meeting to discuss initiatives to foster a resuming of talks.
Al least 100,000 have been killed in the war in Northern Uganda and 1.6 million, practically the entire population, have been forced to abandon homes and farm land, and live in refugee camps without even the bare necessities to survive often targeted by LRA raiders. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 3/3/2007 righe 35 parole 431

In Somalia, 30 soldiers have arrived as part of the African Union's stabilization force. They are thought to be Ugandan and part of the 1500-strong force pledged by Uganda.

Official Name

Republic of Uganda
Former Name Uganda (Bantu, Nilotic, and Nilo-Hamitic peoples; African kingdoms developed; Arab traders moved inland and reached Uganda in 1830s; British explorers in 1860s; Protestant missionaries in 1877 and Catholic missionaries in 1879; East Africa assigned by royal charter to Imperial British East Africa Company in 1888; Anglo-German agreement [British dominance over Kenya and Uganda] in 1890; company withdrew and administration taken over by British commissioner in 1893, Kingdom of Buganda placed under British protectorate in 1894; internal self-government granted to Uganda in 1961; first elections held on 1 March 1961.)

Capital

Kampala

Main Towns

Entebbe, Gulu, Jinja, Kampala (pop. 1.2 million 2002), Masaka, Mbale, Mbarara

Subdivisions

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

Independence

9 October 1962 (from UK)

Constitution 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.
The current constitution was ratified on July 12, 1995, and promulgated on October 8, 1995. The constitution provides for an executive president, to be elected every 5 years. Parliament and the judiciary have significant amounts of independence and wield significant power. President Yoweri Museveni, in power since 1986, was elected under the new constitution in 1996 and re-elected in 2001. Formerly, the constitution limited the president to two terms. However, in August 2005, the constitution was revised to allow an incumbent to hold office for more than two terms.
National Holiday Independence Day, 9 October (1962)

UN Membership

25 October 1962

OAU Membership

25 May 1963 – now African Union (AU)

Commonwealth

9 October 1962

Other Organisations

In alphabetical order according to abbreviation/acronym: Africa-Caribbean-Pacific-European Union (ACP-EU), African Development Bank (AfDB or AFDB), Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), East African Community (EAC), East African Development Bank (EADB), Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), Group of 77 at the United Nations (G-77), International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), International Criminal Court (ICCt), International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU), International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (ICRM), International Development Association (IDA), Islamic Development Bank (IDB), International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), International Finance Corporation (IFC), International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRCS), Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD), International Labour Organisation (ILO), International Monetary Fund (IMF), International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol), International Olympic Committee (IOC), International Organisation for Migration (IOM), International Telecommunications Union (ITU), Non Aligned Movement (NAM), Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC), Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA), United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), Universal Postal Union (UPU), World Customs Organization (WCO, former Customs Cooperation Council [CCC]), World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU), World Health Organisation (WHO), World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), World Tourism Organisation (WToO), World Trade Organisation (WTrO).

Population

World Bank Figures: 22,578,030 (1999), 23,250,000 (2000), 23,925,000 (2001), 24,600,000 (2002), 25,280,000 (2003)
Other Sources: 19,573,262 (July 1995), 23,985,712 (July 2001 est.), 25,632,794 (July 2003 est.) 27,269,482 (July 2005 est.)

Area

93,104 sq. mls. (241,139 sq. kms.)

Density

80 per sq.km. (1995)

Highest Point

Margherita Peak (Mount Stanley) 16,763 ft. (5,109 m.)

Lowest Point

Albert Nile River 2,000 ft. (610 m.)

Neighbours

Kenya (E), Rwanda (SW), Sudan (N), Tanzania (S), Zaire (W)

Life Expectancy

42 years (1995), total population:  43.37 years, male:  42.59 years, female:  44.17 years (2001 est.) at birth: total population: 44.88 years male: 43.42 years female: 46.38 years (2003 est.)
total population: 51.59 years male: 50.74 years female: 52.46 years (2005 est.)

Infant Mortality Rate

total: 87.9 deaths/1,000 live births female: 80.17 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 95.41 deaths/1,000 live births
total: 67.83 deaths/1,000 live births male: 71.18 deaths/1,000 live births female: 64.37 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS

adult prevalence rate 5% (2001 est.); 4.1% (2003 est.)
people living with HIV/AIDS 600,000 (2001 est.); adults (15-49) 510,000 (2001 est.); women (15-49) 280,000 (2001 est.); children (0-15) 110,000 (2001 est.);
deaths 84,000 (2001 est.) 78,000 (2003 est.)

At the end of 2001 it was estimated that there were 880,000 living orphans, under age 15, who had lost their mother or father or both parents to AIDS.
Uganda has been cited as Sub-Saharan Africa’s success story in its efforts to reduce HIV prevalence levels. The figures below show this.
HIV prevalence among antenatal clinic attendees tested in Kampala: 11% (1985), 25% (1990) 29.4% (1992) 13.8% (1998), 11.25% (2000).
Median HIV prevalence among antenatal clinic attendees outside of Kampala has declined from 13% (1992) to 5.9% (2000). In 2000, HIV prevalence from 12 sites ranged from 1.9% to 10%.
A community-based study in Masaka District, Southwestern Uganda, reported declining HIV incidence and prevalence. HIV incidence dropped from 7.6/1000 person years (PY) (1990) to 3.2/1000 PY (1998) in the adult population: males from 9.4/1000 PY (1990) to 2.4/1000 PY (1998) and females from 6.0/1000PY (1990) to 4.0/1000PY (1998). (Figures from the UNAIDS/WHO Epidemiological Fact Sheet 2002 Update)

IRIN Plus News - HIV/AIDS Treatment Map: Uganda - Updated: Oct 2005
Population: 24.7 million
HIV Prevalence Rate (%): 4.1
No. Of People living with HIV/AIDS: 1.6 million
No. Of People in need of ART: 120,000
No. Of People Currently on ART (Sep 05): 65,500
Number of people on ART (public programme): 65,500
Number of people on ART (private programme): n/a
No. Of People Exptd to be on ART (2005 End): 60,000
Front Line Drug Regimen: Stavudine+Lamivudine+Nevirapine and Zidovudine+Lamivudine+Nevirapine
HIV/AIDS Treatment Sites: 81
Global Fund 2 Year Approved Funding (Round 2, June 2003 - December 2005): US$36,314,899.00
Total Funds Disbursed By The Global Fund: US$18,134,753.00
Total Funds Disbursed By The World Bank Multi-Country HIV/AIDS Programme (MAP): US$47.5 million
Total Funds Disbursed By PEPFAR: US$80.6 million
Source: Uganda AIDS Commission, UNAIDS, The Global Fund, The World Bank

Adult Literacy Rate

total population:  61.8%, male:  73.7%, female:  50.2% (1995 est.) total population: 69.9% male: 79.5% female: 60.4% (2003 est.)

Ethnic Groups

Three major linguistic groups, Bantu, Nilotic, Nilo-Hamitic (also Pygmies [Ituri forests, south-west]) peoples including: 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%.

Languages

English (national/official), Hema, Kaliko, Lendu, Luganda (most widely used), Luo, Mvuba, Swahili, Arabic.

Religions

Protestant 33%, Catholic 33%, Traditional Religion (Animist) 18%, Muslim 16%

Type of Government

Republic

President

Lt. Gen. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni (since seizing power 29 January 1986 [27/10/2005])

Prime Minister

Apollo Nsibambi (since 5 April 1999 [27/10/2005])

Political Parties

The one legal party is the Movement, formerly the National Resistance Movement (NRM). The constitution requires the suspension of political parties while the Movement organization is in governance.
The main proscribed parties are: Ugandan People's Congress (UPC); Democratic Party (DP); Conservative Party (CP); Justice Forum; and National Democrats Forum.

Ruling Party

Non Party Government (elected June 1996)

Currency

Ugandan Shilling (USh, UGX)(100 cents)
Ugandan shillings per US dollar - 1,810.3 (2004), 1,963.7 (2003), 1,797.6 (2002), 1,755.7 (2001), 1,644.5 (2000)

GDP

US$170 (1992) US$5,655m (1995)
GDP: US$6 billion (2003)
purchasing power parity - US$34.7 billion (2003)
purchasing power parity - US$39.39 billion (2004 est.)
per capita purchasing power parity - US$1,260 (2002 est.)
per capita purchasing power parity - US$1,500 (2004 est.)

GNP

US$200 (1992) US$240 (1995)

Per Capita Income GNI per capital: US$270 (2003)
Population Below Poverty Line 35% (2001 est.)
Land Use arable land: 25.88% permanent crops: 10.65% other: 63.47% (2001) Irrigated land: 90 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural Resources copper, cobalt, hydropower, limestone, salt, arable land
Oil and Natural Gas production: 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) consumption: 8,750 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001)
Military

Branches: Ugandan Peoples' Defense Force(UPDF): Army, Marine unit, Air Wing
Manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 5,476,612 (2003 est.)
males age 18-49: 5,012,620 (2005 est.)
Expenditures: US$124.7 million (FY02) $170.3 million, 2.2% of GDP (2004)
Economic Aid Received US$1.4 billion (2000)
Aid per Capita (World Bank): US$26 (1999), US$35 (2000), US$33 (2001), US$26 (2002), US$38 (2003)

Debt

Less indebted (HIPC)
World Bank Figures: US$1,864,000,000 (2000), US$1,151,000,064 (2001), US$1,264,400,000 (2002), US$1,893,799,936 (2003) US$3.865 billion (2004 est.)
Other Sources: US$3,564m (1995) US$3.6bn (2000 est.) US$2.8 billion (2002 est.)
Qualified for Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) debt relief worth US$1.3 billion and Paris Club debt relief worth US$145 million, in 2000, with original HIPC debt relief equals about US$2 billion.
Uganda was the first country to receive HIPC debt relief in 1998, and achieved Completion Point in April 2000. Debt relief is currently worth about $100m annually. Lower interest rate and export earnings forecasts have seen the key debt:export ratio rise from 150% to around 300% but debt service ratios as a percentage of domestic revenues (c. 10%) remain well below the critical threshold. (Source: UK Government, FCO Country Profile, 25 August 2005)

Major Imports

capital equipment, vehicles, petroleum, medical supplies, cereals
vehicles, petroleum, chemical, machinery (2003)

Imports from

Kenya 41.0%, UK 7.6%, India 6.8%, South Africa 6.5%, Japan 3.5% (2000)
OPEC countries, Kenya, EU, India, South Africa, U.S. (2003) US$1.34 billion (2003)
Kenya 27.9%, India 8%, UAE 7.4%, South Africa 6.9%, UK 5.9%, China 5.6%, Japan 5.1%, US 4.6% (2004) US$1.306 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Major Exports

coffee, fish and fish products, tea; gold, cotton, flowers, horticultural products
coffee, fish and fish products, tea, electricity, horticultural products, vanilla (2003)

Exports to Germany 12.0%, Netherlands 10.2%, US 8.7%, Spain 8.0%, Belgium 7.2% (2000 est.)
EU, Kenya, South Africa, U.K., U.S. (2003) US$628 million (2003)
Kenya 13.6%, Switzerland 11.2%, Netherlands 9.8%, Belgium 8.6%, France 4.2% (2004) US$621.7 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)

International Issues

In the 1990s the conflict in the Great Lakes region - involving Tutsi, Hutu, political rebels, armed gangs - drew in the government forces of Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, and Uganda. Uganda and neighbouring forces attempted to gain control over the area and natural resources.

We try to have each fact sheet up to date and as accurate as possible.
If you notice any mistakes, or have suggestions on items which could be added, please let us know by emailing to: suttonlink@dial.pipex.com

The White Fathers, Sutton Coldfield, 1 March, 2007

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