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Uganda

History

This former British protectorate embraces Lake Victoria, source of the White Nile and the Ruwenzori Mountains, a home of the endangered mountain gorilla.

Prosperous at independence in 1962, this East African country was brutalized under the chaotic regimes of Milton Obote and Idi Amin, when as many as 800,000 Ugandans were murdered and orphaned children were forced to shoulder guns. In 1986 Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, leader of the National Resistance Army, came to power and, despite continued military and economic challenges, restored stability to a large extent. Lt. Gen. Museveni was elected president in May 1996 in the first popular election for president since independence.

Fertile soil keeps famine at bay and coffee plantations flourishing, but AIDS-epidemic in some areas-is now Uganda's greatest enemy.

Ongoing Disputes: Tutsi, Hutu, and other ethnic groups, associated political rebels, armed gangs, 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; conflict in Sudan has extended rebel forces and refugees into Uganda

Environment Issues: Draining of wetlands for agricultural use; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; water hyacinth infestation in Lake Victoria; poaching is widespread

Statistics

Climate: Tropical; generally rainy with two dry seasons (December to February, June to August); semiarid in northeast
Terrain: Mostly plateau with rim of mountains
Population: 25.6 million
Infant Mortality: 87.9 deaths/1,000 live births
Life Expectancy: 44.88 years
Ethnic Groups: 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%
Religions: Roman Catholic 33%, Protestant 33%, Muslim 16%, indigenous beliefs 18%
Labour Force: 12 million
Unemployment Rate: N/A

Map

Map courtesy of the CIA World Factbook

News/Events:

» Forgotten Refugees in MONTENEGRO!
» Diary dates for 2008

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