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 complicated 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. A constitutional referendum in 2005 cancelled a 19-year ban on multi-party politics and lifted presidential term limits.

East-Central Africa, west of Kenya, east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo

1 00 N, 32 00 E

Africa

slightly more than two times the size of Pennsylvania; slightly smaller than Oregon

0 km (landlocked)

none (landlocked)

tropical; generally rainy with two dry seasons (December to February, June to August); semiarid in northeast

mostly plateau with rim of mountains

highest point: Margherita Peak on Mount Stanley 5,110 m

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

arable land 34.3%; permanent crops 11.3%; permanent pasture 25.6%

140 sq km (2012)

population density is relatively high in comparison to other African nations; most of the population is concentrated in the central and southern parts of the country, particularly along the shores of Lake Victoria and Lake Albert; the northeast is least populated

droughts; floods; earthquakes; landslides; hailstorms

draining of wetlands for agricultural use; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; water hyacinth infestation in Lake Victoria; widespread poaching

landlocked; fertile, well-watered country with many lakes and rivers

39,570,125

Baganda 16.5%, Banyankole 9.6%, Basoga 8.8%, Bakiga 7.1%, Iteso 7%, Langi 6.3%, Bagisu 4.9%, Acholi 4.4%, Lugbara 3.3%, other 32.1% (2014 est.)

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

Protestant 45.1% (Anglican 32.0%, Pentecostal/Born Again/Evangelical 11.1%, Seventh Day Adventist 1.7%, Baptist .3%), Roman Catholic 39.3%, Muslim 13.7%, other 1.6%, none 0.2% (2014 est.)

Uganda has one of the youngest and most rapidly growing populations in the world; its total fertility rate is among the world’s highest at 5.8 children per woman. Except in urban areas, actual fertility exceeds women’s desired fertility by one or two children, which is indicative of the widespread unmet need for contraception, lack of government support for family planning, and a cultural preference for large families. High numbers of births, short birth intervals, and the early age of childbearing contribute to Uganda’s high maternal mortality rate. Gender inequities also make fertility reduction difficult; women on average are less-educated, participate less in paid employment, and often have little say in decisions over childbearing and their own reproductive health. However, even if the birth rate were significantly reduced, Uganda’s large pool of women entering reproductive age ensures rapid population growth for decades to come.

Unchecked, population increase will further strain the availability of arable land and natural resources and overwhelm the country’s limited means for providing food, employment, education, health care, housing, and basic services. The country’s north and northeast lag even further behind developmentally than the rest of the country as a result of long-term conflict (the Ugandan Bush War 1981-1986 and more than 20 years of fighting between the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) and Ugandan Government forces), ongoing inter-communal violence, and periodic natural disasters.

Uganda has been both a source of refugees and migrants and a host country for refugees. In 1972, then President Idi AMIN, in his drive to return Uganda to Ugandans, expelled the South Asian population that composed a large share of the country’s business people and bankers. Since the 1970s, thousands of Ugandans have emigrated, mainly to southern Africa or the West, for security reasons, to escape poverty, to search for jobs, and for access to natural resources. The emigration of Ugandan doctors and nurses due to low wages is a particular concern given the country’s shortage of skilled health care workers. Africans escaping conflicts in neighboring states have found refuge in Uganda since the 1950s; the country currently struggles to host tens of thousands from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Sudan, and other nearby countries.

3.2% (2017 est.)

42.9 births/1,000 population (2017 est.)

10.2 deaths/1,000 population (2017 est.)

-0.7 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.)

population density is relatively high in comparison to other African nations; most of the population is concentrated in the central and southern parts of the country, particularly along the shores of Lake Victoria and Lake Albert; the northeast is least populated

KAMPALA (capital) 1.936 million (2015)

18.9 years

343 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)

5.71 children born/woman (2017 est.)

36.9% (2016)

7.2% of GDP (2014)

0.5 beds/1,000 population (2010)

urban: 95.5% of population

rural: 75.8% of population

total: 79% of population

urban: 4.5% of population

rural: 24.2% of population

total: 21% of population (2015 est.)

urban: 28.5% of population

rural: 17.3% of population

total: 19.1% of population

urban: 71.5% of population

rural: 82.7% of population

total: 80.9% of population (2015 est.)

6.5% (2016 est.)

1.4 million (2016 est.)

28,000 (2016 est.)

5.3% (2016)

12% (2012)

1.7% of GDP (2014)

presidential republic

111 districts and 1 capital city*; Abim, Adjumani, Agago, Alebtong, Amolatar, Amudat, Amuria, Amuru, Apac, Arua, Budaka, Bududa, Bugiri, Buhweju, Buikwe, Bukedea, Bukomansimbi, Bukwa, Bulambuli, Buliisa, Bundibugyo, Bushenyi, Busia, Butaleja, Butambala, Buvuma, Buyende, Dokolo, Gomba, Gulu, Hoima, Ibanda, Iganga, Isingiro, Jinja, Kaabong, Kabale, Kabarole, Kaberamaido, Kalangala, Kaliro, Kalungu, Kampala*, Kamuli, Kamwenge, Kanungu, Kapchorwa, Kasese, Katakwi, Kayunga, Kibaale, Kiboga, Kibuku, Kiruhura, Kiryandongo, Kisoro, Kitgum, Koboko, Kole, Kotido, Kumi, Kween, Kyankwanzi, Kyegegwa, Kyenjojo, Lamwo, Lira, Luuka, Luwero, Lwengo, Lyantonde, Manafwa, Maracha, Masaka, Masindi, Mayuge, Mbale, Mbarara, Mitooma, Mityana, Moroto, Moyo, Mpigi, Mubende, Mukono, Nakapiripirit, Nakaseke, Nakasongola, Namayingo, Namutumba, Napak, Nebbi, Ngora, Ntoroko, Ntungamo, Nwoya, Otuke, Oyam, Pader, Pallisa, Rakai, Rubirizi, Rukungiri, Sembabule, Serere, Sheema, Sironko, Soroti, Tororo, Wakiso, Yumbe, Zombo; note - four new districts, Kagadi, Kakumiro, Omoro, and Rubanda, have been reported, but not yet vetted by the US Board on Geographic Names

9 October 1962 (from the UK)

Independence Day, 9 October (1962)

mixed legal system of English common law and customary law

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

18 years of age; universal

Conservative Party or CP [Ken LUKYAMUZI]

Democratic Party or DP [Norbert MAO]

Forum for Democratic Change or FDC [Mugisha MUNTU]

Justice Forum or JEEMA [Asuman BASALIRWA]

National Resistance Movement or NRM [Yoweri MUSEVENI]

Uganda People's Congress or UPC [James AKENA]

Uganda People's Defense Force or UPDF

National Association of Women Organizations in Uganda or NAWOU [Monica EMIRU]

Parliamentary Advocacy Forum or PAFO

Ugandan Coalition for Political Accountability to Women or COPAW

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

six equal horizontal bands of black (top), yellow, red, black, yellow, and red; a white disk is superimposed at the center and depicts a grey crowned 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

grey crowned crane; national colors: black, yellow, red

Uganda has substantial natural resources, including fertile soils, regular rainfall, small deposits of copper, gold, and other minerals, and recently discovered oil. Agriculture is the most important sector of the economy, employing more than one-third of the work force. Coffee accounts for the bulk of export revenues. Uganda has a small industrial sector that is dependent on imported inputs like oil and equipment. Overall productivity is hampered by a number of supply-side constraints, including underinvestment in an agricultural sector that continues to rely on rudimentary technology. Industrial growth is impeded by high-costs due to poor infrastructure, low levels of private investment, and the depreciation of the Ugandan shilling.

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 were especially aimed at dampening inflation while encouraging foreign investment to boost 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, and better domestic security.

The global economic downturn in 2008 hurt Uganda's exports; however, Uganda's GDP growth has largely recovered due to past reforms and a rapidly growing urban consumer population. Oil revenues and taxes are expected to become a larger source of government funding as production starts in the next five to 10 years. However, lower oil prices since 2014 and protracted negotiations and legal disputes between the Ugandan government and oil companies may prove a stumbling block to further exploration and development.

Uganda faces many economic challenges. Instability in South Sudan has led to a sharp increase in Sudanese refugees and is disrupting Uganda's main export market. High energy costs, inadequate transportation and energy infrastructure, insufficient budgetary discipline, and corruption inhibit economic development and investor confidence. During 2015 and 2016, the Uganda shilling depreciated 50% against the dollar.

The budget is dominated by energy and road infrastructure spending, while relying on donor support for long-term drivers of growth, including agriculture, health, and education. The largest infrastructure projects are externally financed through low-interest concessional loans. As a result, debt servicing for these loans is expected to rise.

$83.39 billion (2016 est.)

$80.47 billion (2015 est.)

$75.33 billion (2014 est.)

$25.31 billion (2016 est.)

2.3% (2016 est.)

5.7% (2015 est.)

4.6% (2014 est.)

$2,300 (2016 est.)

$2,300 (2015 est.)

$2,200 (2014 est.)

20.1% of GDP (2016 est.)

17.7% of GDP (2015 est.)

17.2% of GDP (2014 est.)

coffee, tea, cotton, tobacco, cassava (manioc, tapioca), potatoes, corn, millet, pulses, cut flowers; beef, goat meat, milk, poultry, and fish

sugar processing, brewing, tobacco, cotton textiles; cement, steel production

3.8% (2016 est.)

19.4 million (2016 est.)

9.4% (2013 est.)

19.7% (2013 est.)

39.5 (2013)

45.7 (2002)

14.1% of GDP (2016 est.)

-4.5% of GDP (2016 est.)

37.8% of GDP (2016 est.)

30.7% of GDP (2015 est.)

1 July - 30 June

5.5% (2016 est.)

3.9% (2015 est.)

14% (December 2014)

17% (30 March 2016)

23.89% (31 December 2016 est.)

22.6% (31 December 2015 est.)

$2.167 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

$2.029 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

$3.674 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

$3.458 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

$3.989 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

$3.946 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

$7.294 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

$7.727 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

$1.788 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

$-1.09 billion (2016 est.)

$-1.794 billion (2015 est.)

$2.921 billion (2016 est.)

$2.667 billion (2015 est.)

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

Kenya 20.9%, UAE 11.2%, Rwanda 9.5%, Democratic Republic of the Congo 8.9%, Italy 4.5% (2016)

$4.326 billion (2016 est.)

$4.955 billion (2015 est.)

capital equipment, vehicles, petroleum, medical supplies; cereals

China 17.9%, India 17.2%, UAE 9.5%, Kenya 9.2%, Japan 5.2%, South Africa 4.5%, Saudi Arabia 4.4% (2016)

$3.034 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

$2.843 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

$6.408 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

$5.756 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

$NA

$NA

Ugandan shillings (UGX) per US dollar -

3,420.1 (2016 est.)

3,420.1 (2015 est.)

3,234.1 (2014 est.)

2,599.8 (2013 est.)

2,505.6 (2012 est.)

3.235 billion kWh (2015 est.)

2.936 billion kWh (2015 est.)

121 million kWh (2015)

48 million kWh (2015 est.)

922,000 kW (2015 est.)

14.8% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

0% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

76.6% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

10.2% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

0 bbl/day (2016 est.)

0 bbl/day (2014 est.)

0 bbl/day (2014 est.)

2.5 billion bbl (1 January 2017)

0 bbl/day (2014 est.)

27,000 bbl/day (2015 est.)

0 bbl/day (2014 est.)

26,290 bbl/day (2014 est.)

0 cu m (2013 est.)

0 cu m (2013 est.)

0 cu m (2013 est.)

0 cu m (2013 est.)

14.16 billion cu m (1 January 2017 es)

2.7 million Mt (2013 est.)

public broadcaster, Uganda Broadcasting Corporation (UBC), operates radio and TV networks; Uganda first began licensing privately owned stations in the 1990s; by 2007, there were nearly 150 radio and 35 TV stations, mostly based in and around Kampala; transmissions of multiple international broadcasters are available in Kampala (2007)

.ug

5X (2016)

47 (2013)

(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) (2011)

1.57% of GDP (2016)

1.6% of GDP (2015)

1.71% of GDP (2014)

1.74% of GDP (2013)

1.79% of GDP (2012)

Uganda People's Defense Force (UPDF): Land Forces (includes Marine Unit), Uganda Air Force (2013)

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 while recruitment under 18 years of age could occur with proper consent, "no person under the apparent age of 18 years shall be enrolled in the armed forces"; Ugandan citizenship and secondary education required (2012)

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