Uganda: Difference between revisions

Edit links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
m Reverting possible vandalism by South uganda to version by Milesjolly1997. False positive? Report it. Thanks, ClueBot NG. (1902924) (Bot)
←Replaced content with 'Jarod created uganda '
Tag: gettingstarted edit
Line 1: Line 1:
Jarod created uganda
{{EngvarB|date=December 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2013}}
{{pp-move-indef}}
{{Infobox country
| conventional_long_name = Republic of Uganda
| native_name = ''Jamhuri ya Uganda''
| common_name = Uganda
| image_flag = Flag of Uganda.svg
| image_coat = Coat of Arms of the Republic of Uganda.svg
| image_map = Uganda (orthographic projection).svg
| national_motto = {{nowrap|"''For God and My Country''"}}
| national_anthem = ''[[Oh Uganda, Land of Beauty]]''
[[File:Uganda flag and national anthem - Oh Uganda Land o.ogg|thumb|Uganda National Anthem]]
| nickname = "[[The Pearl of Africa]]"
| official_languages = {{hlist |English|[[Swahili language|Swahili]]<ref>[http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/ugtoc.html "Uganda: Society"] in the [[Library of Congress]]. Retrieved 29 June 2009.</ref>}}
| languages_type = [[Vernacular]]<br/>languages
| languages = {{hlist |[[Luganda]] |[[Southern Luo language|Southern Luo]] |[[Runyankore]] |[[Runyoro]] |[[Ateso]] |[[Lumasaba]] |[[Lusoga]] |[[Samia dialect (Luhya)|Samia]] |[[Swahili language|Swahili]]}}
|ethnic_groups =
{{unbulleted list
| 20.9% [[Baganda]]
| 9.5% [[Banyankole]]
| 8.4% [[Basoga]]
| 6.9% [[Bakiga]]
| 6.4% [[Iteso]]
| 6.1% [[Langi people|Langi]]
| 4.7% [[Acholi]]
| 4.6% [[Bagisu]]
| 4.2% [[Lugbara people|Lugbara]]
| 2.7% [[Bunyoro]]
| 29.6% [[Demographics of Uganda|others]]
}}
| ethnic_groups_year = 2002
| demonym = Ugandan<ref name=cia/>
| capital = [[Kampala]]
| largest_city = capital
| government_type = [[Unitary]]<ref name=cia/> [[semi-presidential]] [[republic]]
| leader_title1 = [[President of Uganda|President]]
| leader_name1 = [[Yoweri Museveni]]
| leader_title2 = [[Vice President of Uganda|Vice-President]]
| leader_name2 = [[Edward Ssekandi]]
| leader_title3 = [[Prime Minister of Uganda|Prime Minister]]
| leader_name3 = [[Amama Mbabazi]]
| legislature = [[Parliament of Uganda|Parliament]]
| area_km2 = 241,038
| area_rank = 81st
| area_magnitude = 1 E11
| area_sq_mi = 146,670
| percent_water = 15.39
| population_estimate = 35,873,253<ref name=cia/>
| population_estimate_year = 2012
| population_estimate_rank = 35th
| population_census = 24,227,297
| population_census_year = 2002
| population_density_km2 = 137.1
| population_density_sq_mi = 355.2 <!--Do not remove per [[WP:MOSNUM]]-->
| population_density_rank = 80th
|GDP_PPP_year = 2012
| GDP_PPP = $50.439 billion<ref name=imf2>{{cite web |url=http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2013/01/weodata/weorept.aspx?pr.x=31&pr.y=16&sy=2009&ey=2012&scsm=1&ssd=1&sort=country&ds=.&br=1&c=746&s=NGDPD%2CNGDPDPC%2CPPPGDP%2CPPPPC%2CLP&grp=0&a= |title=Uganda |publisher=International Monetary Fund |accessdate=18 April 2013}}</ref>
| GDP_PPP_rank =
| GDP_PPP_per_capita = $1,414<ref name=imf2/>
| GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank =
| GDP_nominal = $21.002 billion<ref name=imf2/>
| GDP_nominal_rank =
| GDP_nominal_year = 2012
| GDP_nominal_per_capita = $589<ref name=imf2/>
| GDP_nominal_per_capita_rank =
| Gini_year = 2009
| Gini_change = <!--increase/decrease/steady-->
| Gini = 44.3 <!--number only-->
| Gini_ref =<ref name="wb-gini">{{cite web |url=http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SI.POV.GINI/ |title=Gini Index |publisher=World Bank |accessdate=2 March 2011}}</ref>
| Gini_rank =
| HDI_year = 2012
| HDI_change = steady <!--increase/decrease/steady-->
| HDI = 0.456 <!--number only-->
| HDI_ref =<ref name="HDI">{{cite web|url=http://hdr.undp.org/en/reports/global/hdr2013/|title= The 2013 Human Development Report – "The Rise of the South: Human Progress in a Diverse World"|publisher=[[Human Development Report|HDRO (Human Development Report Office)]] [[United Nations Development Programme]]|pages=144–147|accessdate=28 November 2013}}</ref>
| HDI_rank = 161st
| FSI = {{nowrap|96.4 {{decrease}} 0.1}}
| FSI_year = 2007
| FSI_rank = 15th
| FSI_category = <span style="color:red;white-space:nowrap;">Alert</span>
| [[List of countries by economic complexity|ECI]] = {{nowrap|{{decrease}} -0.488}}
| [[List of countries by economic complexity|ECI_year]] = 2008
| [[List of countries by economic complexity|ECI_rank]] = {{nowrap|{{decrease}} 24<ref>{{cite web |author=Alexander Simoes |url=http://atlas.media.mit.edu/book/ |title=The Observatory of Economic Complexity :: Atlas Book |publisher=Atlas.media.mit.edu|accessdate=27 June 2012}}</ref>}}
| sovereignty_type = Independence
| established_event1 = from the [[United Kingdom]]
| established_date1 = 9 October 1962
| established_event2 = Current constitution
| established_date2 = 8 October 1995
| currency = [[Ugandan shilling]]
| currency_code = UGX
| time_zone = [[East Africa Time|EAT]]
| utc_offset = +3
| time_zone_DST = not observed
| utc_offset_DST = +3
| drives_on = left
| calling_code = [[+256]]<sup>a</sup>
| cctld = [[.ug]]
| footnote_a = +006 from [[Kenya]] and [[Tanzania]].
}}

'''Uganda''' ({{IPAc-en|juː|ˈ|ɡ|æ|n|d|ə}} {{respell|yew|GAN|də}} or {{IPAc-en|juː|ˈ|ɡ|ɑː|n|d|ə}} {{respell|yew|GAHN|də}}), officially the '''Republic of Uganda''', is a [[landlocked country]] in [[Southeast Africa|East Africa]]. It is bordered on the east by [[Kenya]], on the north by [[South Sudan]], on the west by the [[Democratic Republic of the Congo]], on the southwest by [[Rwanda]], and on the south by [[Tanzania]]. Uganda is the second most populous landlocked country. The southern part of the country includes a substantial portion of [[Lake Victoria]], shared with Kenya and Tanzania, situating the country in the [[African Great Lakes]] region. Uganda also lies within the [[Nile|Nile basin]], and has a varied but generally equatorial climate.

Uganda takes its name from the [[Buganda]] kingdom, which encompasses a large portion of the south of the country including the capital [[Kampala]]. The people of Uganda were [[hunter-gatherer]]s until 1,700 to 2,300 years ago, when [[Bantu languages|Bantu]]-speaking populations migrated to the southern parts of the country.

Beginning in the late 1800s, the area was ruled as a colony by the British, who established administrative law across the territory. Uganda gained independence from Britain on 9 October 1962. The period since then has been marked by intermittent conflicts, most recently a lengthy civil war against the [[Lord's Resistance Army]], which has caused tens of thousands of casualties and displaced more than a million people.

The official language is English. [[Luganda]], a central language, is widely spoken across the country, and multiple other languages are also spoken including Swahili. The current [[President of Uganda]] is [[Yoweri Kaguta Museveni]], who came to power in a coup in 1986.

==History==
{{Main|History of Uganda}}
The Ugandans were [[hunter-gatherer]]s until 1,700 to 2,300 years ago. [[Bantu languages|Bantu]]-speaking populations, who were probably from central Africa, migrated to the southern parts of the country.<ref name="living_enc">{{cite web | url = http://www.africa.upenn.edu/NEH/uethnic.htm | title = East Africa Living Encyclopedia – Ethnic Groups | publisher = African Studies Center, University of Pennsylvania}}</ref><ref name="phil">Martin, Phyllis and O'Meara, Patrick (1995). ''Africa''. 3rd edition. Indiana University Press. ISBN 0253209846.</ref> These groups brought and developed ironworking skills and new ideas of social and political organisation. The [[Empire of Kitara]] covered most of the great lakes area, from Lake Albert, Lake Tanganyika, Lake Victoria, to Lake Kyoga. Its leadership headquarters were mainly in what became [[Ankole]], believed to have been run by the Bachwezi dynasty in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries. They may have followed a semi-legendary dynasty known as the Batembuzi. [[Bunyoro|Bunyoro-Kitara]] is claimed as the antecedent of later kingdoms; [[Buganda]], [[Toro Kingdom|Toro]], [[Ankole]] and [[Busoga]].<ref name = Mwambutsya>{{cite journal|author=Mwambutsya, Ndebesa|url=http://www.ossrea.net/eassrr/jan91/mwambuts.htm |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080131112357/http://www.ossrea.net/eassrr/jan91/mwambuts.htm |archivedate=31 January 2008 |title= Pre-capitalist Social Formation: The Case of the Banyankole of Southwestern Uganda|journal=Eastern Africa Social Science Research Review|volume= 6| issue = 2; 7 no. 1 |date=June 1990 and January 1991|pages= 78–95}}</ref>
[[File:Flag of the Uganda Protectorate.svg|thumb|200px|left|Flag of the [[Uganda Protectorate]]]]
[[Nilotic]] people, including [[Luo (family of ethnic groups)|Luo]] and [[Ateker]], entered the area from the north, probably beginning about [[Anno Domini|A.D.]]&nbsp;120. They were cattle herders and subsistence farmers who settled mainly in the northern and eastern parts of the country. The Nilotic Luo invasion is believed to have led to the collapse of the Chwezi Empire. The twins Rukidi Mpuuga and [[Kintu of Buganda|Kato Kintu]] are believed to be the first kings of Bunyonro and Buganda after the Chwezi Empire collapsed, creating the Babiito and Bambejja Dynasty. Some Luo invaded the area of Bunyoro and assimilated with the Bantu there, establishing the Babiito dynasty of the current ''[[Omukama of Bunyoro|Omukama]]'' (ruler) of Bunyoro-Kitara.<ref name="babito">{{Wayback |date=20061210003812 |url=http://www.bunyoro-kitara.com/history2.htm#The%20Babiito |title="Origins of Bunyoro-Kitara Kings" }}, bunyoro-kitara.com.</ref>

Luo migration continued until the 16th century, with some Luo settling amid Bantu people in Eastern Uganda, with others proceeding to the eastern shores of [[Lake Victoria]] in Kenya and [[Tanzania]]. The Ateker ([[Karimojong]] and [[Iteso]]) settled in the northeastern and eastern parts of the country, and some fused with the Luo in the area north of [[Lake Kyoga]].

[[Arab]] traders moved inland from the Indian Ocean coast of East Africa in the 1830s. They were followed in the 1860s by British explorers searching for the source of the [[Nile]]. Protestant missionaries entered the country in 1877, followed by Catholic missionaries in 1879.<ref name="state_dept">[http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2963.htm#history "Background Note: Uganda"], [[U.S. State Department]]</ref> The United Kingdom placed the area under the charter of the [[British East Africa Company]] in 1888, and ruled it as a [[protectorate]] from 1894.

In the 1890s, 32,000 labourers from British India were [[Indian diaspora in East Africa|recruited to East Africa]] under indentured labour contracts to work on the construction of the [[Uganda Railway]]. Most of the surviving Indians returned home, but 6,724 decided to remain in East Africa after the line's completion.

As several other territories and chiefdoms were integrated, the final protectorate called Uganda took shape in 1914. From 1900 to 1920, a [[African trypanosomiasis|sleeping sickness]] epidemic killed more than 250,000 people.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/EID/vol10no4/02-0626.htm | title = Reanalyzing the 1900–1920 Sleeping Sickness Epidemic in Uganda | publisher = Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) | location = USA}}</ref>

=== Independence (1962) ===
Uganda gained independence from Britain in 1962, maintaining its [[Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth]] membership. The first post-independence election, held in 1962, was won by an alliance between the [[Uganda People's Congress]] (UPC) and [[Kabaka Yekka]] (KY). UPC and KY formed the first post-independence government with [[Milton Obote]] as executive Prime Minister, the Buganda Kabaka (King) [[Mutesa II of Buganda|Edward Muteesa II]] holding the largely ceremonial position of President<ref>{{Wayback |date=20100220164706 |url=http://www.parliament.go.ug/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4&Itemid=3 |title=History of Parliament }} (Website of the Parliament of Uganda)</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.buganda.com/crisis66.htm |title=Buganda Kingdom: The Uganda Crisis, 1966 |publisher=Buganda.com |accessdate=3 May 2010}}</ref> and William Wilberforce Nadiope, the [[Kyabazinga of Busoga|Kyabazinga]] (paramount chief) of Busoga, as Vice-President.{{Citation needed|date=April 2010}}

{{double image|left|Owen Falls Dam construction.jpg|220|Uganda Printers Kampala 1950s.jpg|200|''Left'': Construction of the [[Nalubaale Hydroelectric Power Station|Owen Falls Dam]] in [[Jinja District|Jinja]]. <br> ''Right'': A street in Uganda in the 1950s.}}

In 1966, following a power struggle between the Obote-led government and King Muteesa, the UPC-dominated Parliament changed the constitution and removed the ceremonial president and vice-president. In 1967, a new constitution proclaimed Uganda a republic and abolished the traditional kingdoms. Without first calling elections, Obote was declared the executive President.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2963.htm |title=Department of State. Background Note: Uganda |publisher=State.gov |date=3 February 2010 |accessdate=3 May 2010}}</ref>

After a military coup in 1971, Obote was deposed from power and the dictator [[Idi Amin]] [[1971 Ugandan coup d'état|seized control]] of the country. [[Idi Amin|Amin]] ruled Uganda with the military for the next eight years<ref name="loc">[http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/ugtoc.html "A Country Study: Uganda"], ''[[Library of Congress]] Country Studies''</ref> and carried out mass killings within the country to maintain his rule. An estimated 300,000 Ugandans lost their lives at the hands of his regime, many of them in the north, which he associated with Obote's loyalists.<ref>{{cite news |last=Keatley |first=Patrick |title=Obituary: Idi Amin |url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/2003/aug/18/guardianobituaries |work=The Guardian |date=18 August 2003 |accessdate=18 March 2008 }}</ref> Aside from his brutalities, he [[Expulsion of Asians in Uganda in 1972|forcibly removed]] the entrepreneurial [[Indian people|Indian]] minority from Uganda, which left the country's economy in ruins.<ref>[http://www.theage.com.au/news/business/uk-indians-taking-care-of-business/2006/03/07/1141701511987.html "UK Indians taking care of business"], ''The Age'' (8 March 2006). Retrieved 24 March 2013.</ref> [[Idi Amin|Amin]]'s atrocities were graphically accounted in the 1977 book, ''A State of Blood,'' written by one of his former ministers after he fled the country.

In 1972, with the so-called "Africanization" of Uganda, 580,000 Asian Indians with British passports left Uganda. Approximately 7000 were invited to settle in Canada; however only a limited number accepted the offer, and the 2006 census reported 3300 people of Ugandan origin in Canada. Given the variety of skills and professional background they brought with them, coupled with their initiative and enterprising attitudes, most Ugandans have made steady socioeconomic progress in Canada. They have settled primarily in Ontario (Toronto), BC and Québec.

[[Idi Amin|Amin]]'s reign was ended after the [[Uganda-Tanzania War]] in 1979, in which Tanzanian forces aided by Ugandan exiles invaded Uganda. This led to the return of Obote, who was deposed again in 1985 by General [[Tito Okello]]. Okello ruled for six months until he was deposed. This occurred after the so-called "[[Ugandan Bush War|bush war]]" by the [[National Resistance Army]] (NRA) operating under the leadership of the current president, [[Yoweri Museveni]], and various rebel groups, including the Federal Democratic Movement of Andrew Kayiira, and another belonging to John Nkwaanga. During the Bush War the army carried out mass killings of non-combatants.<ref>Henry Wasswa, “Uganda's first prime minister, and two-time president, dead at 80,” Associated Press, October 10, 2005</ref>

Museveni has been in power since 1986. In the mid- to late 1990s, he was lauded by the West as part of a [[new generation of African leaders]].<ref>"'New-Breed' Leadership, Conflict, and Reconstruction in the Great Lakes Region of Africa: A Sociopolitical Biography of Uganda's Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, Joseph Oloka-Onyango," ''Africa Today'' – Volume 50, Number 3, Spring 2004, p. 29</ref> As president, he has led Uganda in involvement in the [[Second Congo War|civil war in the Democratic Republic of Congo]] (DRC) and other conflicts in the [[Great Lakes (Africa)|Great Lakes region]]. He has struggled for years in the civil war against the [[Lord's Resistance Army]], which has been guilty of numerous crimes against humanity, including [[child slavery]] and [[Atiak massacre|mass murder]]. Conflict in northern Uganda has killed thousands and displaced millions.<ref>{{cite news |title=No End to LRA Killings and Abductions |publisher= Human Rights Watch |date=23 May 2011 |url=http://www.hrw.org/news/2011/05/23/no-end-lra-killings-and-abductions }}</ref>

==Geography==
[[File:Uganda Regions map.png|thumb|290px|left|Regional map of Uganda.]][[Image:20060622 Ed 0007.JPG|thumb|250px|[[Mount Kadam]], Uganda.]][[File:Uganda-Kob.jpg|thumb|250px|thumb|[[Ugandan kob|Ugandan Kob]]]]
{{Main|Geography of Uganda}}
The country is located on the East African [[plateau]], lying mostly between latitudes [[4th parallel north|4°N]] and [[2nd parallel south|2°S]] (a small area is north of 4°), and longitudes [[29th meridian east|29°]] and [[35th meridian east|35°E]]. It averages about {{convert|1100|m|ft|0}} above sea level, and this slopes very steadily downwards to the [[East Sudanian savanna|Sudanese Plain]] to the north. However, much of the south is poorly drained, while the centre is dominated by [[Lake Kyoga]], which is also surrounded by extensive marshy areas.

Uganda lies almost completely within the [[Nile]] basin. The Victoria Nile drains from the lake into Lake Kyoga and thence into [[Lake Albert (Africa)|Lake Albert]] on the Congolese border. It then runs northwards into [[South Sudan]]. One small area on the eastern edge of Uganda is drained by the [[Turkwel River]], part of the internal drainage basin of [[Lake Turkana]].

Lake Kyoga serves as a rough boundary between Bantu speakers in the south and Nilotic and Central Sudanic language speakers in the north. Despite the division between north and south in political affairs, this linguistic boundary runs roughly from northwest to southeast, near the course of the Nile. However, many Ugandans live among people who speak different languages, especially in rural areas. Some sources describe regional variation in terms of physical characteristics, clothing, bodily adornment, and mannerisms, but others claim that those differences are disappearing.

Although generally equatorial, the climate is not uniform as the altitude modifies the climate. Southern Uganda is wetter with rain generally spread throughout the year. At [[Entebbe]] on the northern shore of [[Lake Victoria]], most rain falls from March to June and in the November/December period. Further to the north a dry season gradually emerges; at Gulu about {{convert|120|km|0|abbr=on}} from the South Sudanese border, November to February is much drier than the rest of the year.

The northeastern [[Karamoja]] region has the driest climate and is prone to droughts in some years. [[Rwenzori]], a snowy peaked mountainous region on the southwest border with Congo (DRC), receives heavy rain all year round and is the source of the Nile.

The south of the country is heavily influenced by one of the world's biggest lakes, Lake Victoria, which contains many islands. It prevents temperatures from varying significantly and increases cloudiness and rainfall. Most important cities are located in the south, near Lake Victoria, including the capital [[Kampala]] and the nearby city of Entebbe.

Although landlocked, Uganda contains many large lakes; besides Lake Victoria and Lake Kyoga, there are [[Lake Albert (Africa)|Lake Albert]], [[Lake Edward]] and the smaller [[Lake George (Uganda)|Lake George]].

===Environment and conservation===
{{Main|Conservation in Uganda}}
Uganda has [[List of Protected Areas in Uganda|60 protected areas]], including ten national parks: [[Bwindi Impenetrable National Park]] and [[Rwenzori Mountains National Park]] (both UNESCO [[World Heritage Site]]s<ref>{{cite web|url=http://whc.unesco.org/en/list|title=World Heritage List|accessdate=4 June 2013}}</ref>), [[Kibale National Park]], [[Kidepo Valley National Park]], [[Lake Mburo National Park]], [[Mgahinga Gorilla National Park]], [[Mount Elgon National Park]], [[Kenya National Park]], [[Murchison Falls National Park]], [[Queen Elizabeth National Park]], and [[Semuliki National Park]].

==Government and politics==
[[Image:Museveni July 2012 Cropped.jpg|250px|thumb|upright|[[Yoweri Museveni]], [[President of Uganda]]]]
{{Main|Politics of Uganda}}<!--Please add new information into relevant articles of the series-->
The [[President of Uganda]], currently [[Yoweri Kaguta Museveni]], is both [[head of state]] and [[head of government]]. The President appoints a Vice-President, currently [[Edward Ssekandi]], and a [[Prime Minister of Uganda|prime minister]], currently [[Amama Mbabazi]], who aid him in governing. The parliament is formed by the [[National Assembly of Uganda|National Assembly]], which has 332 members. 104 of these members are nominated by interest groups, including women and [[Uganda People's Defence Force|the army]]. The remaining members are elected for five-year terms during [[elections in Uganda|general elections]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.parliament.go.ug/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3&Itemid=4 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100220164706/http://www.parliament.go.ug/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3&Itemid=4 |archivedate=20 February 2010 |title=Parliament of Uganda Website :: – COMPOSITION OF PARLIAMENT |publisher=Parliament.go.ug |accessdate=29 July 2009}}</ref>

In the mid-to-late 1990s, Museveni was lauded by the West as part of a [[new generation of African leaders]]. His presidency has been marred, however, by invading and occupying Congo during the [[Second Congo War]] (the war in the [[Democratic Republic of Congo]] which has resulted in an estimated 5.4 million deaths since 1998) and other conflicts in the [[Great Lakes (Africa)|Great Lakes]] region. Recent developments, including the abolition of presidential term limits before the 2006 elections, Museveni's confirmation of the Public Order Management Bill – a bill which severely limits freedom of assembly – media censorship and the persecution of democratic opposition (i.e. general intimidation of voters by security forces; arresting opposition candidates; extrajudicial killings) have attracted concern from domestic and foreign commentators. Most recently, indicators of an alleged succession to the President's son, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, have increased tensions.<ref>Article 19. (2013). [http://www.article19.org/resources.php/resource/37201/en/uganda:-public-order-management-bill Uganda: Public Order Management Bill].</ref><ref>Masereka, Alex. (2013). [http://www.redpepper.co.ug/m7-okays-public-order-bill/ M7 Okays Public Order Bill]. ''Red Pepper''.</ref><ref name="Uganda 2012 Human Rights Report">United States Department of State (Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor).(2012). [http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/204390.pdf Uganda 2012 Human Rights Report].</ref><ref>Natabaalo, Grace. (2013). Ugandan Police Shutdown Papers Over 'Plot'. ''Al Jazeera''.</ref>

[[List of political parties in Uganda|Political parties in Uganda]] were restricted in their activities beginning in 1986, in a measure ostensibly designed to reduce sectarian violence. In the [[non-partisan democracy|non-party]] "Movement" system instituted by Museveni, political parties continued to exist, but they could only operate a headquarters office. They could not open branches, hold rallies, or field candidates directly (although electoral candidates could belong to political parties). A constitutional referendum cancelled this nineteen-year ban on multi-party politics in July 2005. Additionally, the constitutional term limit for the presidency was changed from the previous two-term limit, to enable the current president to continue in active politics.

Presidential elections were held in February 2006. Yoweri Museveni ran against several candidates, the most prominent of them being Dr. [[Kizza Besigye]].

On Sunday, 20 February 2011, the Uganda Electoral Commission declared the 24-year reigning president Yoweri Kaguta Museveni the winning candidate of the 2011 elections that were held on 18 February 2011. The opposition were, however, not satisfied with the results, condemning them as full of sham and rigging. According to the results released, Museveni won with 68% of the votes, easily topping his nearest challenger Kizza Besigye. Besigye, who was formerly Museveni's physician, told reporters that he and his supporters 'downrightly snub' the outcome as well as the unremitting rule of Museveni or any person he may appoint. Besigye added that the rigged elections would definitely lead to an illegitimate lead and that it is up to Ugandans to critically analyse this.

The EU Election Observation Mission reported on improvements and flaws of the Ugandan electoral process: "The electoral campaign and polling day were conducted in a peaceful manner [...] However, the electoral process was marred by avoidable administrative and logistical failures that led to an unacceptable number of Ugandan citizens being disfranchised."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eueom.eu/files/pressreleases/english/press_release_preliminarystatement_uganda_20_february_en.pdf|title=Uganda 2011 Elections|date=20 February 2011|publisher=European Union Election Observation Mission}}</ref> Since August 2012, hacktivist group [[Anonymous (group)|Anonymous]] has threatened Ugandan officials and hacked official government websites over its anti-gay bills.<ref>Roberts, Scott (13 November 2012) [http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2012/11/13/hacktivists-target-ugandas-anti-gay-lawmakers/ Hacktivists target Ugandan lawmakers over anti-gay bill]. pinknews.co.uk</ref> Some international donors have threatened to cut financial aid to the country if anti-gay bills continue.<ref>Roberts, Scott (14 November 2012) [http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2012/11/14/pressure-on-uganda-builds-over-anti-gay-law/ Pressure on Uganda builds over anti-gay law]. pinknews.co.uk</ref>

Museveni is expected to head Uganda until the next elections anticipated to be held in 2016.

Uganda is rated among countries perceived as very corrupt by [[Transparency International]]. It is rated at 29 on a scale from 0 (perceived as most corrupt) to 100 (perceived as clean).<ref name=CPI>{{cite web|title=2012 Corruption Perceptions Index|url=http://cpi.transparency.org/cpi2012/results/|publisher=Transparency International|accessdate=17 February 2013}}</ref>

According to the [[United States Department of State|US State Department]]'s 2012 Human Rights Report on Uganda, "The World Bank's most recent Worldwide Governance Indicators reflected corruption was a severe problem" and that "the country annually loses 768.9 billion shillings ($286 million) to corruption."<ref name="Uganda 2012 Human Rights Report"/> Understandably, Uganda was ranked 130th out of 176 nations on the Corruption Perceptions Index.<ref>Transparency International. (2012). [http://www.transparency.org/cpi2012/results Corruption Perceptions Index 2012].</ref> Ugandan parliamentarians in 2014 were earning 60 times that being earned by most state employees and they were seeking a major increase. This was causing widespread criticism and protests, including the smuggling of two piglets into the parliament in June 2014 to highlight corruption amongst members of parliament. The protesters, who were arrested, were using the word "''MPigs''" to highlight their grievance.<ref name="UganadaMPs">{{cite news|title=Piglets released in Ugandan parliament investigated for terrorism|url=http://www.ugandanews.net/index.php/sid/223128407/scat/faaba65027d16d8c/ht/Piglets-released-in-Ugandan-parliament-investigated-for-terrorism|accessdate=23 June 2014|publisher=''Uganda News.Net''}}</ref> A specific scandal, which had significant international consequences and highlighted the presence of corruption in high-level government offices, was the embezzlement of $12.6 mil in donor funds from the Office of the Prime Minister in 2012. These funds were "earmarked as crucial support for rebuilding northern Uganda, ravaged by a 20-year war, and Karamoja, Uganda's poorest region." This scandal prompted the E.U., The UK, Germany, Denmark, Ireland and Norway to suspend aid.<ref>Human Rights Watch. (2013). [http://www.hrw.org/reports/2013/10/21/letting-big-fish-swim-0 Letting the Big Fish Swim].</ref> What may compound this problem – as it does in many developing nations ([[Resource curse]]) – is the availability of oil. Widespread grand and petty corruption involving public officials and political patronage systems have also seriously affect the investment climate in Uganda. One of the high corruption risk areas is the public procurement in which non-transparent under-the-table cash payments are often demanded from procurement officers.<ref>{{cite web|title=A Snapshot of Corruption in Uganda|url=http://www.business-anti-corruption.com/country-profiles/sub-saharan-africa/uganda-version/snapshot.aspx|publisher=Business Anti-Corruption Portal|accessdate=24 March 2014}}</ref>

The Petroleum Bill – passed by Ugandan Parliament in 2012 – which was touted by the NRM as bringing transparency to the oil sector has, failed to please domestic and international political commentators and economists. For instance, Angelo Izama, a Ugandan energy analyst at the US-based Open Society Foundation said the new law was tantamount to "handing over an ATM (cash) machine" to Museveni and his regime.<ref>Biryabarema, Elias. (2012). [http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/12/07/uganda-oil-idUSL5E8N7AJH20121207 Ugandan Lawmakers Pass Oil Bill, Worry About Corruption]. ''Thomson Reuters''</ref> According to Global Witness, an international law NGO, Uganda now has "oil reserves that have the potential to double the government's revenue within six to ten years, worth an estimated US$2.4bn per year."<ref>Global Witness. (2012). [http://www.globalwitness.org/library/ugandas-oil-laws-global-witness-analysis Uganda's oil laws: Global Witness Analysis].</ref>

Other contentious bills have been passed by parliament and confirmed by President Museveni during his tenure. For example, The Non Governmental Organizations (Amendment) Act, passed in 2006, has stifled the productivity of NGOs through erecting barriers to entry, activity, funding and assembly within the sector. Burdensome and corrupt registration procedures (i.e. requiring recommendations from government officials; annual re-registration), unreasonable regulation of operations (i.e. requiring government notification prior to making contact with individuals in NGO's area of interest), and the precondition that all foreign funds be passed through the Bank of Uganda, among others things, are severely limiting the output of the NGO sector. Furthermore, the sector's freedom of speech has been continually infringed upon through the use of intimidation, and the recent Public Order Management Bill (severely limiting freedom of assembly) will only add to the government's stockpile of ammunition.<ref>The International Center for Not-For-Profit Law. (2012). [http://www.icnl.org/research/monitor/uganda.html NGO Law Monitor: Uganda].</ref>

===Political divisions===
Uganda is divided into [[Districts of Uganda|districts]], spread across four administrative regions: Northern, Eastern, Central (Kingdom of [[Buganda]]) and Western. The districts are subdivided into [[Counties of Uganda|counties]]. A number of districts have been added in the past few years, and eight others were added on 1 July 2006 plus others added in 2010. There are now over 100 districts.<ref name="district">[http://www.newvision.co.ug/D/8/26/449320 "Can Uganda's economy support more districts?"], ''[[New Vision]]'', 8 August 2005</ref> Most districts are named after their main commercial and administrative towns. Each district is divided into sub-districts, counties, [[Sub-counties of Uganda|sub-counties]], parishes and villages. Political subdivisions in Uganda are officially served and united by the [[Uganda Local Governments Association]] (ULGA), a voluntary and non-profit body which also serves as a forum for support and guidance for Ugandan sub-national governments.<ref>[http://www.ulga.org/ Uganda Local Government Association]. Ulga.org. Retrieved on 19 July 2013.</ref>

Parallel with the state administration, five traditional [[Bantu peoples|Bantu]] kingdoms have remained, enjoying some degrees of mainly cultural autonomy. The kingdoms are [[Toro Kingdom|Toro]], [[Busoga]], [[Bunyoro]], [[Buganda]] and [[Rwenzururu]]. Furthermore, some groups attempt to restore [[Ankole]] as one of the officially recognised traditional kingdoms, to no avail yet.<ref>Tumushabe, Alfred (22 September 2012) [http://www.monitor.co.ug/SpecialReports/Ankole+monarchists++two+decade+battle+for+restoration+kingdom/-/688342/1513552/-/cd64dh/-/index.html Ankole monarchists' two decade battle for restoration of kingdom]. monitor.co.ug.</ref>
{{Districts of Uganda Image Map}}

===Foreign relations and military===
{{Further|Foreign relations of Uganda|Uganda People's Defence Force}}

In Uganda, the [[Uganda People's Defence Force]] serves as the military. The [[List of countries by number of military and paramilitary personnel|number of military personnel in Uganda]] is estimated at 45,000 soldiers on active duty. The Uganda army is involved in several peacekeeping and combat missions in the region, with commentators noting that only the [[United States Armed Forces]] is currently deployed in more countries. Uganda has soldiers deployed in the northern and eastern [[Democratic Republic of Congo]], in the [[Central African Republic]], [[Somalia]], and [[South Sudan]].<ref>http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/OpEdColumnists/CharlesOnyangoObbo/With-Somalia--CAR--and-South-Sudan--Museveni/-/878504/2137720/-/eb4y1nz/-/index.html</ref>

===Human rights===
{{Main|Human rights in Uganda}}
[[File:Gulu women - cut lips.jpg|thumb|250px|Two women in [[Gulu]] whose lips have been cut off by [[Lord's Resistance Army]] rebels.]]
There are many areas which continue to attract concern when it comes to human rights in Uganda.

Conflict in the northern parts of the country continues to generate reports of abuses by both the rebel [[Lord's Resistance Army]] (LRA), led by [[Joseph Kony]], and the [[Uganda People's Defence Force|Ugandan Army]]. A UN official accused the LRA in February 2009 of "appalling brutality" in the Democratic Republic of Congo.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jjDmW-YliFMFYnBOvy5bwN3-Ggtg |title=AFP: Attacks of 'appalling brutality' in DR Congo: UN |publisher=Google |date=10 February 2009 |accessdate=29 July 2009}}</ref>

The number of [[internally displaced persons]] is estimated at 1.4&nbsp;million. Torture continues to be a widespread practice amongst security organisations. Attacks on political freedom in the country, including the arrest and beating of opposition members of parliament, have led to international criticism, culminating in May 2005 in a decision by the British government to withhold part of its aid to the country. The arrest of the main opposition leader [[Kizza Besigye]] and the siege of the [[High Court (Uganda)|High Court]] during a hearing of Besigye's case by heavily armed security forces – before the [[Ugandan general election, 2006|February 2006 elections]] – led to condemnation.<ref name="hrw1">[http://hrw.org/english/docs/2005/12/19/uganda12321.htm "Uganda: Respect Opposition Right to Campaign"], ''[[Human Rights Watch]]'', 19 December 2005</ref>

[[Child labour]] is common in Uganda. Many child workers are active in agriculture.<ref name="unhcr.org">[http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/publisher,USDOL,,UGA,4e8c3993d,0.html Refworld | 2010 Findings on the Worst Forms of Child Labor – Uganda]. UNHCR (3 October 2011). Retrieved 24 March 2013.</ref> Children who work on tobacco farms
in Uganda are exposed to health hazards.<ref name="unhcr.org"/> Child domestic servants in Uganda risk [[sexual abuse]].<ref name="unhcr.org"/> [[Trafficking of children]] occurs.<ref name="unhcr.org"/> [[Slavery]]
and [[forced labour]] are prohibited by the Ugandan constitution.<ref name="unhcr.org"/>

The US Committee for Refugees and Immigrants reported several violations of refugee rights in 2007, including forcible deportations by the Ugandan government and violence directed against refugees.<ref name="World Refugee Survey 2008">{{cite news|title=World Refugee Survey 2008|publisher=U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants|date=19 June 2008|url=http://www.refugees.org/article.aspx?id=2114&subm=179&area=Investigate|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090226131331/http://www.refugees.org/article.aspx?id=2114&subm=179&area=Investigate|archivedate=26 February 2009}}</ref>

Torture and extrajudicial killings have been a pervasive problem in Uganda in recent years. For instance, according to a 2012 US State Department report, "the African Center for Treatment and Rehabilitation for Torture Victims registered 170 allegations of torture against police, 214 against the UPDF, one against military police, 23 against the Special Investigations Unit, 361 against unspecified security personnel, and 24 against prison officials" between January and September 2012.<ref name="Uganda 2012 Human Rights Report"/>

In September 2009 Museveni refused Kabaka Muwenda Mutebi, the Baganda King, permission to visit some areas of Buganda Kingdom, particularly the Kayunga district. Riots occurred and over 40 people were killed while others remain imprisoned to this date. Furthermore, 9 more people were killed during the April 2011 "Walk to Work" demonstrations. According to the Humans Rights Watch 2013 World Report on Uganda, the government has failed to investigate the killings associated with both of these events.<ref>Human Rights Watch. (2013). [http://www.hrw.org/world-report/2013/country-chapters/uganda World Report 2013 (Uganda)].</ref>

===LGBT rights===
{{Main|LGBT rights in Uganda}}
[[File:Uganda Anti-Homosexuality Bill protest.jpg|thumb|250px|Protests in New York City against Uganda's [[Anti-Homosexuality Bill]].]]
As of January 2014, homosexuality is illegal in Uganda and carries a minimum sentence of two years in prison and a maximum of life. [[Sodomy]] laws from the British colonial era are still on the books, and there is a strong social bias against homosexuality. Gays and lesbians face discrimination and harassment at the hands of the media, police, teachers, and other groups. In 2007, a Ugandan newspaper, ''The Red Pepper'', published a list of allegedly gay men, many of whom suffered harassment as a result.<ref>{{Wayback |date=20080311201758 |url=http://thereport.amnesty.org/eng/Regions/Africa/Uganda |title="Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people" }}, Amnesty International Report 2007 Uganda</ref> Also on October 9, 2010, the Ugandan newspaper ''[[Rolling Stone (Uganda)|Rolling Stone]]'' published a front page article titled "100 Pictures of Uganda's Top Homos Leak" that listed the names, addresses, and photographs of 100 homosexuals alongside a yellow banner that read "Hang Them".<ref name="Guardian">[http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/oct/21/ugandan-paper-gay-people-hanged "Ugandan paper calls for gay people to be hanged"], Xan Rice, ''[[The Guardian]]'', 21 October 2010</ref>

The paper also alleged that homosexuals aimed to "[[Homosexual recruitment|recruit]]" Ugandan children. This publication attracted international attention and criticism from human rights organisations, such as [[Amnesty International]],<ref>[http://www.amnesty.org/en/news-and-updates/ugandan-gay-rights-activist-%E2%80%98i-have-watch-my-back-more-ever%E2%80%99-2010-11-05 "Ugandan gay rights activist: 'I have to watch my back more than ever'"], 5 November 2010</ref> [[No Peace Without Justice]]<ref>[http://www.npwj.org/Other/Uganda-Stop-homophobic-campaign-launched-Rolling-Stone-tabloid.html-0 "Uganda: Stop homophobic campaign launched by ''Rolling Stone'' tabloid"], 14 October 2010, [[No Peace Without Justice]]</ref> and the [[International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association]].<ref name="ILGA">[http://ilga.org/ilga/en/article/mE8jac21Q7 "Uganda Newspaper Published Names/Photos of LGBT Activists and HRDs – Cover Says 'Hang Them'"], [[International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association]]</ref> According to [[gay rights]] activists, many Ugandans have been attacked since the publication.<ref name="Independent">Akam, Simon (22 October 2010) [http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/outcry-as-ugandan-paper-names-top-homosexuals-2113348.html "Outcry as Ugandan paper names 'top homosexuals'"], ''[[The Independent]]''</ref> On 27 January 2011, gay rights activist [[David Kato]] was murdered.<ref name="BBC">[http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12295718 "Uganda gay rights activist David Kato killed"], 27 January 2011, [[BBC News]]</ref> Kato was on ''Rolling Stone'''s hit list. Also a number of other gays and lesbians are missing and are believed to have been murdered.{{citation needed|date=August 2013}}

In 2009, the Ugandan parliament considered an [[Uganda Anti-Homosexuality Bill|Anti-Homosexuality Bill]] which would have broadened the criminalisation of homosexuality by introducing the death penalty for people who have previous convictions, or are HIV-positive, and engage in same-sex sexual acts. The bill also included provisions for Ugandans who engage in same-sex sexual relations outside of Uganda, asserting that they may be [[extradition|extradited]] back to Uganda for punishment, and included penalties for individuals, companies, media organisations, or non-governmental organisations that support [[LGBT]] rights. The [[private member's bill]] was submitted by [[Member of Parliament|MP]] [[David Bahati]] in Uganda on 14 October 2009, and was believed to have had widespread support in the Uganda parliament.<ref name=Harpers2010>{{Cite journal |last1=Sharlet |first1=Jeff |authorlink=Jeff Sharlet (writer) |date=September 2010 |title=Straight Man's Burden: The American roots of Uganda's anti-gay persecutions |journal=Harper's |publisher=Harper's Magazine Foundation |volume=321 |issue=1,924 |pages=36–48 |url=http://www.harpers.org/archive/2010/09/0083101 |accessdate=21 January 2011 }}</ref> The hacktivist group Anonymous hacked into Ugandan government websites in protest of the bill.<ref>Brocklebank, Christopher (15 August 2012). [http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2012/08/15/anonymous-hack-into-ugandan-government-websites-in-protest-at-their-anti-lgbt-policies/ Anonymous hack into Ugandan government websites in protest at their anti-LGBT policies]. Pinknews.co.uk</ref>
Debate of the bill was delayed in response to global condemnation but was eventually passed on 20 December 2013 and signed into law by President Yoweri Museveni on 24 February 2014. The death penalty was dropped in the final legislation and replaced by life imprisonment. The law was widely condemned by the international community. [[Denmark]], [[Netherlands]] and [[Sweden]] said they would withhold aid. The [[World Bank]] on 28 February 2014 said it would postpone a $90 million loan, while the [[United States]] said it was reviewing ties with Uganda.<ref name=WorldBankPostponesLOan>[http://www.ugandanews.net/index.php/sid/220274118/scat/faaba65027d16d8c/ht/Ugandas-anti-gay-law-prompts-World-Bank-to-postpone-90mn-loan "Uganda's anti-gay law prompts World Bank to postpone $90mn loan"], 28 February 2014|publisher=''Uganda News.Net''</ref>

==Economy and infrastructure==
{{Main|Economy of Uganda|Energy in Uganda|Agriculture in Uganda}}
[[Image:Uganda-Development.JPG|thumb|250px|Downtown [[Kampala]], the capital city.]]
The [[Bank of Uganda]] is the [[Central bank]] of Uganda and handles monetary policy along with the printing of the [[Ugandan shilling]].<ref>[http://www.bou.or.ug/export/sites/default/bou/bou-downloads/publications/QuarterlyEconomicReports/2011/Mar/Quarterly_Economic_Report_Mar_2011.pdf Quarterly Macroeconomic Report Q4 2010]. Bank of Uganda, March 2011</ref>

Uganda's economy generates income from annual exports that include coffee ($466.6 million), tea ($72.1 million), fish ($136.2 million), and other products.<ref>http://tourism.go.ug/index.php?option=com_phocadownload&view=category&download=10:ubos-statistical-abstract&id=4:statistics&Itemid=300</ref> The country has commenced economic reforms and growth has been robust. In 2008, Uganda recorded 7% growth despite the global downturn and regional instability.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.africaneconomicoutlook.org/en/countries/east-africa/uganda/|title=Snapshot of Uganda's economic outlook|date=6 July 2009|publisher=African Economic Outlook}}</ref> Uganda's struggle to achieve their economic status was primarily due to decades of wars and corruption resulting in the nation being considered one of the poorest countries in the world.

Uganda has substantial natural resources, including fertile soils, regular rainfall, and sizeable mineral deposits of copper and [[cobalt]]. The country has largely untapped reserves of both [[crude oil]] and natural gas.<ref name="oilrush">[http://www.economist.com/businessfinance/displayStory.cfm?story_id=14177583&source=hptextfeature Uganda's oil rush: Derricks in the darkness]. Economist.com (6 August 2009). Retrieved 24 March 2013.</ref> While agriculture accounted for 56% of the economy in 1986, with coffee as its main export, it has now been surpassed by the services sector, which accounted for 52% of GDP in 2007.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://devdata.worldbank.org/AAG/uga_aag.pdf|title=Uganda at a Glance|date=13 November 2009|publisher= World Bank}}</ref> In the 1950s the British Colonial regime encouraged some 500,000 subsistence farmers to join co-operatives.<ref>Interview of David Hines in 1999 by W. D. Ogilvie; obituary of David Hines in London Daily Telegraph 8 April 2000 written by W. D. Ogilvie</ref> Since 1986, the government (with the support of foreign countries and international agencies) has acted to rehabilitate an economy devastated during the regime of [[Idi Amin]] and the subsequent civil war.<ref name=cia>{{cite web |author=Central Intelligence Agency |authorlink=Central Intelligence Agency |publisher=[[The World Factbook]]|title=Uganda |url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ug.html |year=2009|accessdate=23 January 2010}}</ref> Inflation ran at 240% in 1987 and 42% in June 1992, and was 5.1% in 2003.

[[File:Kampala 26.08.2009 12-52-00.jpg|thumb|250px|Suburban Kampala.]]
[[File:Uganda Export Treemap.png|thumb|350px|Graphical depiction of Uganda's product exports in 28 color-coded categories.]]
Between 1990 and 2001, the economy grew because of continued investment in the rehabilitation of infrastructure, improved incentives for production and exports, reduced inflation and gradually improved domestic security. Ugandan involvement in the [[Second Congo War|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 was included in the [[Heavily Indebted Poor Countries]] (HIPC) debt relief initiative worth $1.3&nbsp;billion and [[Paris Club]] debt relief worth $145&nbsp;million. These amounts combined with the original HIPC debt relief added up to about $2&nbsp;billion. In 2012, the World Bank [http://go.worldbank.org/4IMVXTQ090 still listed] Uganda as on the HIPC list. Growth for 2001–2002 was solid despite continued decline in the price of coffee, Uganda's principal export.<ref name=cia/> According to IMF statistics, in 2004 Uganda's GDP per capita reached $300, a much higher level than in the 1980s but still at half the [[Sub-Saharan Africa]]n average income of $600 per year. Total GDP crossed the 8&nbsp;billion dollar mark in the same year.

[[Image:Uganda - ad on van in Kampala.jpg|thumb|250px|An advertisement for a mobile phone carrier on a van in Kampala.]]
Economic growth has not always led to [[poverty reduction]]. Despite an average annual growth of 2.5% between 2000 and 2003, poverty levels increased by 3.8% during that time.<ref name=ODI/> This has highlighted the importance of avoiding [[jobless growth]] and is part of the rising awareness in development circles of the need for [[Development economics#equitable growth|equitable growth]] not just in Uganda, but across the developing world.<ref name=ODI>{{cite web|url=http://www.odi.org.uk/resources/details.asp?id=4892&title=millennium-development-goals-equitable-growth-policy-brief |title=Economic growth and the MDGs – Resources – Overseas Development Institute |publisher=ODI |accessdate=31 May 2011}}</ref>

With the Uganda securities exchanges established in 1996, several equities have been listed. The Government has used the stock market as an avenue for privatisation. All Government treasury issues are listed on the securities exchange. The Capital Markets Authority has licensed 18 brokers, asset managers and investment advisors including names like: ''African Alliance Investment Bank, Baroda Capital Markets Uganda Limited, Crane Financial Services Uganda Limited, Crested Stocks and Securities Limited, Dyer & Blair Investment Bank, Equity Stock Brokers Uganda Limited, Renaissance Capital Investment Bank and UAP Financial Services Limited.''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.use.or.ug/inner.php?cat=brkdealers&subcat=mbfrms |title=List of Licensed Investment Banks & Stock Brokerage Firms in Uganda |publisher=Use.or.ug |date=31 December 2001 |accessdate=27 June 2012}}</ref> As one of the ways of increasing formal domestic savings, pension sector reform is the centre of attention (2007).<ref>Kaujju, Peter (June 2008). "[http://www.newvision.co.ug/D/8/220/631429 Capital markets eye pension reform]". ''The New Vision''. Retrieved 9 February 2009.</ref><ref>Rutaagi, Edgar (2009). "[http://www.africanexecutive.com/modules/magazine/articles.php?article=3040 Uganda Moving Towards Pension Reforms]". ''The African Executive''. Retrieved 9 February 2009.</ref>

Uganda traditionally depends on [[Kenya]] for access to the Indian Ocean port of [[Mombasa]]. Recently, efforts have intensified to establish a second access route to the sea via the lakeside ports of [[Bukasa]] in Uganda and [[Musoma]] in Tanzania, connected by railway to [[Arusha]] in the Tanzanian interior and to the port of [[Tanga, Tanzania|Tanga]] on the Indian Ocean.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.businessdailyafrica.com/Corporate+News/Tanzania+and+Uganda+agree+to+speed+up+railway+project/-/539550/1268910/-/1364j49/-/ |title=Tanzania And Uganda Agree To Speed Up Railway Project |publisher=Businessdailyafrica.com8 November 2011|author=Mbunga, Paskal |accessdate=27 June 2012}}</ref> Uganda is a member of the [[East African Community]] and a potential member of the planned [[East African Federation]].

Uganda has a large diaspora, residing mainly in the United States and the United Kingdom. This diaspora has contributed enormously to Uganda's economic growth through remittances and other investments (especially property). According to the World Bank, in 2010/2011 Uganda got $694 million in remittances from Ugandans abroad, the highest foreign exchange earner for the country.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=World Bank |url=http://siteresources.worldbank.org/INTLAC/Resources/Factbook2011-Ebook.pdf |title=Migration and Remittances Factbook 2011}}</ref> Uganda also serves as an economic hub for a number of neighbouring countries like the Democratic Republic of Congo,<ref>Ondoga, Ayiga (June 2008). "[http://enteruganda.com/brochures/westnile02.html Arua: West Nile's business hub]". ''The New Vision''.</ref> South Sudan<ref>Yoshino, Yutaka; Ngungi, Grace and Asebe, Ephrem. "[http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/COUNTRIES/AFRICAEXT/EXTAFRREGTOPTRADE/0,,contentMDK:22946813~pagePK:34004173~piPK:34003707~theSitePK:502469,00.html : Enhancing the Recent Growth of Cross-Border Trade between South Sudan and Uganda] ''Africa Trade Policy Notes ''</ref> and Rwanda.<ref>Muwanga, David (March 2010) "[http://allafrica.com/stories/201003151717.html Uganda, Rwanda Border to Run 24hrs]". AllAfrica.com</ref>

===Poverty===
[[File:Kampala 26.08.2009 12-39-51.jpg|thumb|250px|Street views in Kampala.]]
Uganda is one of the poorest nations in the world, with 37.7% of the population living on less than $1.25 a day.<ref>{{cite web| title = Poverty headcount ratio at $1.25 a day (PPP) (% of population)| publisher = World Bank| url = http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SI.POV.DDAY| accessdate =10 February 2012 }}</ref> Despite making enormous progress in reducing the countrywide poverty incidence from 56% of the population in 1992 to 31% in 2005,<ref>{{cite web | title = Enabling Poor People to Overcome Poverty in Uganda| publisher = International Fund for Agricultural Development| url = http://www.ifad.org/operations/projects/regions/Pf/factsheets/uganda.pdf| accessdate =10 February 2012 }}</ref> poverty remains deep-rooted in the country's rural areas, which are home to more than 85 per cent of Ugandans.

People in rural areas of Uganda depend on farming as the main source of income and 90 per cent of all rural women work in the agricultural sector.<ref>{{cite web | title = IFAD Gender Strengthening Programme| publisher = International Fund for Agricultural Development| url = http://www.ifad.org/pub/gender/genpfe.pdf| accessdate =10 February 2012 }}</ref> In addition to agricultural work, rural women also have the responsibility of caretaking within their families. The average Ugandan woman spends 9 hours a day on domestic tasks, such as preparing food and clothing, fetching water and firewood, and caring for the elderly, the sick as well as orphans. As such, women on average work longer hours than men, between 12 and 18 hours per day, with a mean of 15 hours, as compared to men, who work between 8 and 10 hours a day.<ref>{{cite web | title = From Periphery to Center: A Strategic Country Gender Assessment| publisher = World Bank| url = http://siteresources.worldbank.org/INTAFRREGTOPGENDER/Resources/ugandaSCGA.pdf| accessdate =10 February 2012 }}</ref>

To supplement their income, rural women may engage in small-scale entrepreneurial activities such as rearing and selling local breeds of animals. Nonetheless, because of their heavy workload, they have little time for these income-generating activities. The poor cannot support their children at school and in most cases, girls drop out of school to help out in domestic work or to get married. Other girls engage in sex work. As a result, young women tend to have older and more sexually experienced partners and this puts women at a disproportionate risk of getting affected by HIV, accounting for about 57 per cent of all adults living with HIV.<ref>{{cite web | title = AVERTing HIV and AIDS| publisher = AVERT| url = http://www.avert.org/aids-uganda.htm#contentTable2| accessdate =10 February 2012 }}</ref>

Maternal health in rural Uganda lags behind national policy targets and the Millennium Development Goals, with geographical inaccessibility, lack of transport and financial burdens identified as key demand-side constraints to accessing maternal health services;<ref>{{cite journal|last=Ekirapa-Kiracho|first=E|title=Increasing Access To Institutional Deliveries Using Demand And Supply Side Incentives: Early Results From A Quasi-Experimental Study|journal=BMC International Health and Human Rights|year=2011|volume=11|issue=Suppl 1|pages=S11|url=http://www.futurehealthsystems.org/publications/increasing-access-to-institutional-deliveries-using-demand-a.html|accessdate=26 May 2012|doi=10.1186/1472-698x-11-s1-s11}}</ref> as such, interventions like intermediate transport mechanisms have been adopted as a means to improve women's access to maternal health care services in rural regions of the country.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Peters|first=David|coauthors=et al|title=Exploring New Health Markets: Experiences From Informal Providers Of Transport For Maternal Health Services In Eastern Uganda|journal=BMC International Health and Human Rights|year=2011|volume=11|issue=Suppl 1|pages=S10|url=http://www.futurehealthsystems.org/publications/exploring-new-health-markets-experiences-from-informal-provi.html|accessdate=26 May 2012}}</ref>

Gender inequality is a main hindrance to reducing women's poverty. Women submit to an overall lower social status than men. For many women, this reduces their power to act independently, participate in community life, become educated and escape reliance upon abusive men.<ref>{{cite web | title = Gender Equity Issues in Uganda| publisher = Foundation for Sustainable Development| url = http://www.fsdinternational.org/country/uganda/weissues| accessdate =10 February 2012 }}</ref>

Uganda has realised that the lack of women's rights is part of the major causes of poverty in the country. Results of the 1998/99 Uganda Participatory Poverty Assessment (UPPAP)&nbsp;– on which the revised Poverty Eradication Action Plan (PEAP) is based – and the UPPAP2 (2001/2002) demonstrate strong linkage between gender and poverty. Key policies such as the National Gender Policy in 1997 have also been enacted to mainstream gender in the national development process to improve the social, legal/civic, political, economic and cultural conditions of the people, especially of women. Also, the National Action Plan on Women (NAPW) was implemented in 1999 to identify five critical areas for action to advance women's rights: legal and policy framework and leadership; social and economic empowerment of women; reproductive health, rights and responsibilities; girl child education; peace building conflict resolution and freedom from violence.

===Communications===
{{Main|Communications in Uganda}}
{{Expand section|date = January 2013}}
There are seven telecommunications companies serving over 17 million subscribers in a population of 32 million. More than 95% of internet connections are made using mobile phones.<ref>http://www.budde.com.au/Research/Uganda-Mobile-Market-Overview-Statistics-and-Forecasts.html</ref>

By 1 March 2012, 17 million subscribers had registered their SIM cards for mobile phones.<ref>Ogwang, Joel. (21 December 2012) [http://allafrica.com/stories/201212230025.html?page=2 Uganda: Communications Sector Registers Mixed Fortunes in 2012 (Page 2 of 3)]. allAfrica.com. Retrieved 24 March 2013.</ref>

===Transport===
{{Expand section|date = January 2013}}
{{See also|Transport in Uganda}}
[[File:Road between Fort Portal and Rebisengo - Flickr - Dave Proffer (7).jpg|thumb|250px|The road between [[Fort Portal]] and Rebisengo.]]
Uganda's transport infrastructure includes four railway lines, developed by the [[Uganda Railways Corporation]]. There are also four [[Transport in Uganda#Airports|airports]] with paved runways, and 22 unpaved runways.

===Energy===
{{See also|Energy in Uganda}}
{{Expand section|date = January 2013}}
In the 1980s, the majority of energy in Uganda came from charcoal and wood. However, oil was found in the [[Lake Albert (Africa)|Lake Albert]] area, totalling an estimated 95,000,000 m3 barrels of crude.<ref name="oilrush"/> [[Heritage Oil]] discovered one of the largest crude oil finds in Uganda, and continues operations there.<ref>[http://www.heritageoilplc.com/uganda_heritage.cfm Heritage Oil | Timeline]. Heritageoilplc.com. Retrieved 24 March 2013.</ref>

===Education===
{{Main|Education in Uganda}}
[[Image:Uganda students.jpg|thumb|250px|Students in Uganda]]

At the 2002 census, Uganda had a [[literacy]] rate of 66.8% (76.8% male and 57.7% female).<ref name=cia/> Public spending on education was at 5.2% of the 2002–2005 GDP.<ref name="hdrstats.undp.org"/> The system of education in Uganda has a structure of 7 years of primary education, 6 years of secondary education (divided into 4 years of lower secondary and 2 years of upper secondary school), and 3 to 5 years of [[tertiary education|post-secondary education]]. There are state exams that must be taken at every level of education.

The present system has existed since the early 1960s. Although some primary education is compulsory under law, in many rural communities this is not observed as many families feel they cannot afford costs such as uniforms and equipment. Most major Schools were formerly built and run by Church Organisations, including the Church of Uganda and the Catholic Church on land owned as such. Of late (circa 2013), many privately run and privately built,for-profit Schools, have been established. In primary education, children sit exams at the end of each academic year to discern whether they are to progress to the next class; this leads to some classes which include a large range of ages.

Upon completing P7 (The final year of primary education), many children from poorer rural communities will return to their families for subsistence farming. Secondary education is focused mainly in larger cities, with boarding optional. Children are usually presented with an equipment list which they are to obtain at the beginning of their time at secondary school. This list classically includes items such as writing equipment, toilet roll and cleaning brushes, all of which the student must have upon admission to school.

Uganda has both [[List of universities in Uganda|private and public universities]]. The largest university in Uganda is [[Makerere University]], located outside of Kampala. [[Milton Obote]], former [[President of Uganda]], was an [[alumnus]].{{citation needed|date=February 2013}}

===Health===
{{Main|Health in Uganda|HIV/AIDS in Uganda}}

[[Image:Lira Uganda 2010 01 04.JPG|thumb|250px|[[Lira, Uganda]].]]
Uganda has been among the rare HIV success stories.<ref name="hdrstats.undp.org">{{cite web|url=http://hdrstats.undp.org/en/countries/data_sheets/cty_ds_UGA.html |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090429194955/http://hdrstats.undp.org/en/countries/data_sheets/cty_ds_UGA.html |archivedate=29 April 2009 |title=Human Development Report 2009 – Uganda [Archived]|publisher=Hdrstats.undp.org |accessdate=3 May 2010}}</ref> Infection rates of 30 per cent of the population in the 1980s fell to 6.4% by the end of 2008.<ref>Kelly, Annie (1 December 2008) "[http://www.guardian.co.uk/katine/2008/dec/01/world-aids-day-uganda Background: HIV/Aids in Uganda]". The Guardian.</ref> However, there has been a spike in recent years compared to the mid-nineties,<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.unaids.org/en/regionscountries/countries/uganda |title=UNAIDS: Uganda Profile | publisher = UNAIDS | accessdate =22 @ERROR@ 2012}}</ref> especially after a shift in US Aid Policy toward abstinence only campaigns (starting in 2003 with the [[President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief]] under US President [[George W. Bush]]). According to one report by Uganda's Aids commissioner, the number of new HIV infections has almost doubled from 70,000 in 2003 to 130,000 in 2005.{{Citation needed|date=April 2012}} Researchers have found that rates of new infection have stabilised as of 2005 due to a variety of factors, including increased condom use and sexual health awareness. Meanwhile, the practice of abstinence was found to have decreased.<ref>{{cite pmid|10770546}}</ref>

[[Life expectancy]] at birth is estimated to be 53.45 years in 2012.<ref>[https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2102rank.html?countryName=Uganda&countryCode=ug&regionCode=afr&rank=204#ug CIA World Factbook]: Life Expectancy ranks</ref> The [[infant mortality]] rate is approximately 61 deaths per 1,000 children in 2012.<ref>[https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2091rank.html?countryName=Uganda&countryCode=ug&regionCode=afr&rank=27#ug CIA World Factbook]: Infant Mortality ranks</ref> There were 8 physicians per 100,000 persons in the early 2000s.<ref name="hdrstats.undp.org"/> The 2006 Uganda Demographic Health Survey (UDHS) indicates that roughly 6,000 women die each year due to pregnancy-related complications.<ref>{{cite web|title=Uganda Demographic and Health Survey 2006|url=http://www.measuredhs.com/pubs/pdf/FR194/FR194.pdf|publisher=Measure DHS|accessdate=17 January 2012}}</ref> However, recent pilot studies by Future Health Systems have shown that this rate could be significantly reduced by implementing a voucher scheme for health services and transport to clinics.<ref>{{cite web|title=Improving Access to Safe Deliveries in Uganda|url=http://www.futurehealthsystems.org/publications/improving-access-to-safe-deliveries-in-uganda.html|publisher=Future Health Systems|accessdate=17 January 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Women's Perceptions of ANC and delivery care Services, a community perspective|url=http://www.futurehealthsystems.org/storage/Research20Brief2021.pdf|publisher=Future Health Systems|accessdate=8 May 2012}}</ref>

Uganda's elimination of user fees at state health facilities in 2001 has resulted in an 80% increase in visits; over half of this increase is from the poorest 20% of the population.<ref name="autogenerated1">[http://www.odi.org.uk/resources/download/4895.pdf The MDGs and equity]. Overseas Development Institute, June 2010</ref> This policy has been cited as a key factor in helping Uganda achieve its [[Millennium Development Goals]] and as an example of the importance of [[Millennium Development Goals#Progress|equity]] in achieving those goals.<ref name=ODI/> Despite this policy, many users are denied care if they don't provide their own medical equipment, as happened in the highly publicised case of Jennifer Anguko.<ref>{{cite news|last=Dugger|first=Celia|title=Maternal Deaths Focus Harsh Light on Uganda|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/30/world/africa/30uganda.html?pagewanted=all|accessdate=17 January 2012|newspaper=The New York Times|date=29 July 2011}}</ref> Poor communication within hospitals,<ref>{{cite pmid|19671198}}</ref> low satisfaction with health services<ref>{{cite journal|last=Kiguli|first=Julie|coauthors=et al|title=Increasing access to quality health care for the poor: community perceptions on quality care in Uganda|journal=Patient Preference and Adherence|year=2009|volume=3|url=http://www.futurehealthsystems.org/publications/increasing-access-to-quality-health-care-for-the-poor-commun.html|accessdate=26 May 2012}}</ref> and distance to health service providers undermine the provision of quality health care to people living in Uganda, and particularly for those in poor and elderly-headed households.<ref name="pariyo2009">{{cite journal|last=Pariyo|first=G|coauthors=et al|title=Changes in Utilization of Health Services among Poor and Rural Residents in Uganda: Are Reforms Benefitting the Poor?|journal=Int J for Equity in Health|year=2009|url=http://www.futurehealthsystems.org/publications/changes-in-utilization-of-health-services-among-poor-and-rur.html|accessdate=26 May 2012}}</ref> The provision of subsidies for poor and rural populations, along with the extension of public private partnerships, have been identified as important provisions to enable vulnerable populations to access health services.<ref name="pariyo2009"/>

In July 2012, there was [[Ebola]] outbreak in the [[Kibaale]] District of the country.<ref>{{cite news|title=Ebola Outbreak Spreads|accessdate=31 July 2012 |agency=Associated Press |newspaper=Daily Express |date=31 July 2012}}</ref> On 4 October 2012, the Ministry of Health officially declared the end of the Ebola outbreak that killed at least 16 people.<ref>{{cite news|last=Biryabarema|first=Elias|title=Uganda says it is now free of deadly Ebola virus|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/10/05/us-uganda-ebola-idUSBRE89409E20121005|agency=Reuters|date=5 October 2012}}</ref>

Uganda also has [[List of hospitals in Uganda|Hospitals]] such as the [[Mulago Hospital]] which was built in 1962.

It was announced by the Health Ministry on 16 August 2013, that three people died in northern Uganda from a suspected outbreak of [[Congo Crimean Hemorrhagic Fever]] (CCHF).<ref>{{cite web|title=Three die in Uganda from Ebola-like fever: Health Ministry|url=http://news.yahoo.com/three-die-uganda-ebola-fever-health-ministry-122947530.html|publisher=Yahoo News|accessdate=16 August 2013}}</ref>

===Crime and law enforcement===
{{Expand section|date = January 2013}}
In Uganda, the [[Allied Democratic Forces]] is considered a violent rebel force that opposes the Ugandan government. These rebels are an enemy of the Uganda People's Defence Force and are considered an affiliate of [[Al-Shabaab (militant group)|Al-Shabaab]].<ref>[http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/638611-adf-recruiting-in-mayuge-iganga-says-army.html ADF recruiting in Mayuge, Iganga says army]. Newvision.co.ug (3 January 2013). Retrieved 24 March 2013.</ref>

==Demographics==

The country has very significant overpopulation problems.<ref>Zinkina J., Korotayev A. [http://cliodynamics.ru/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=360&Itemid=1 Explosive Population Growth in Tropical Africa: Crucial Omission in Development Forecasts (Emerging Risks and Way Out). ''World Futures'' 70/2 (2014): 120–139].</ref>

{{Main|Demographics of Uganda}}
[[Image:Languages of Uganda.png|thumb|450px|An ethnolinguistic map of Uganda.]]

Uganda's population has grown from 4.8 million people in 1950 to 33.5 million in 2010.<ref>"[http://www.observer.ug/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1251:activists-push-for-more-reproductive-health-cash&catid=58:health-living&Itemid=89 Activists push for more reproductive health cash]", The Observer, 8 October 2008</ref> The current estimated population of Uganda is 35 million. Uganda has a very young population, with a [[median age]] of 15 years.<ref name=cia/> Uganda has the second highest [[total fertility rate]] in the world, at 6.65 children born/woman (2012 estimates).<ref name=cia/>

Uganda is home to many different ethnic groups, none of whom forms a majority of the population. The population of Uganda consists of: 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%, Banyoro 2.7%, other 29.6%.

Forty years ago,{{when|date=September 2013}} there were about 80,000 [[Indians in Uganda]]. After [[Idi Amin]] mandated the [[Expulsion of Asians from Uganda|expulsion of the Ugandan-Asians]] (mostly of Indian origin), the population was greatly reduced. Today there are about 15,000.<ref>{{Wayback |date=20100611120407 |url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/uganda-return-of-the-exiles-504325.html |title=Uganda: Return of the exiles }}. ''The Independent'', 26 August 2005</ref>

According to the ''World Refugee Survey 2008'', published by the US Committee for Refugees and Immigrants, Uganda hosted a population of [[refugees]] and asylum seekers numbering 235,800 in 2007. The majority of this population came from [[Sudan]] (162,100 persons), but also included refugees and asylum seekers from the [[Democratic Republic of the Congo]] (41,800), [[Rwanda]] (21,200), [[Somalia]] (5,700) and [[Burundi]] (3,100).<ref name = "World Refugee Survey 2008"/>

===Languages===
{{main|Languages of Uganda}}
Around forty different languages are regularly and currently in use in the country. These fall into three main language families: [[Bantu languages|Bantu]], [[Nilotic languages|Nilotic]] and [[Central Sudanic languages|Central Sudanic]]. English became the official language of Uganda after independence, and [[Ugandan English]] is a local variant dialect.

The most widely spoken local language in Uganda is [[Luganda]], spoken predominantly by the [[Ganda people]] (''Baganda'') in the urban concentrations of Kampala, the capital city, and in towns and localities in the [[Buganda]] region of Uganda which encompasses [[Kampala]]. The [[Lusoga language|Lusoga]] and [[Runyankole language|Runyankore]]-Rukiga languages follow, spoken predominantly in the southeastern and southwestern parts of Uganda respectively.

[[Swahili language|Swahili]], a widely used language throughout eastern and central East Africa, was approved as the country's second official national language in 2005,<ref name="Constitution (Amendment) Act 2005">{{cite web|url=http://www.ugandaonlinelawlibrary.com/files/constitution/Constitutional_Amendment_Act,_2005.pdf |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100922110951/http://www.ugandaonlinelawlibrary.com/files/constitution/Constitutional_Amendment_Act,_2005.pdf |archivedate=22 September 2010 |title=The Constitution (Amendment) Act 2005 |format=PDF |accessdate=3 May 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Museveni Signs 3rd Term Bill|newspaper=New Vision (Kampala)|date=29 September 2005|quote="From now on, Swahili is the second official language..."}}</ref> though this is somewhat politically sensitive. English was the only official language until the constitution was amended in 2005. Though Swahili has not been favoured by the Bantu-speaking populations of the south and southwest of the country, it is an important ''[[lingua franca]]'' in the northern regions. It is also widely used in the police and military forces, which may be a historical result of the disproportionate recruitment of northerners into the security forces during the colonial period. The status of Swahili has thus alternated with the political group in power.<ref name="UCLA">[http://www.lmp.ucla.edu/Profile.aspx?LangID=17&menu=004 Swahili] in the UCLA Language Materials Project</ref> For example, [[Idi Amin|Amin]], who came from the northwest, declared Swahili to be the national language.<ref>[http://www.glcom.com/hassan/swahili_history.html "A Brief History of the Swahili Language"], glcom.com</ref>

===Religion===
{{Main|Religion in Uganda}}

{{bar box
|title=[[Religion in Uganda]]<ref name=cia/>
|titlebar=#ddd
|left1=Religion
|right1=percent
|float=right
|bars=
{{bar percent|Christianity|Blue|84}}
{{bar percent|Islam|Green|12}}
{{bar percent|Other or None|Yellow|4}}
}}
[[Image:Uganda church.jpg|Church in [[Entebbe]]|thumb|right]]
According to the census of 2002, Christians made up about 84% of Uganda's population.<ref name="Census 2002">{{cite web|url=http://www.ubos.org/onlinefiles/uploads/ubos/pdf%20documents/2002%20Census%20Final%20Reportdoc.pdf|title=2002 Uganda Population and Housing Census&nbsp;– Main Report|publisher=Uganda Bureau of Statistics|accessdate=26 March 2008|format=PDF}}</ref> The [[Roman Catholicism in Uganda|Roman Catholic Church]] has the largest number of adherents (41.9%), followed by the [[Anglicanism|Anglican]] [[Church of Uganda]] (35.9%). Evangelical and Pentecostal churches claim the rest of the Christian population. There's a growing number of [[Presbyterian]] denominations like the [[Presbyterian Church in Uganda]], the [[Reformed Presbyterian Church in Uganda]] and the [[Evangelical Free Church in Uganda]] with hundreds of affiliating congregations. The next most reported religion of Uganda is [[Islam in Uganda|Islam]], with Muslims representing 12% of the population.<ref name="Census 2002"/>

The Muslim population is primarily Sunni. There are also minorities who are [[Shia]] (7%), [[Ahmadiyya]] (4%) and those that are [[non-denominational Muslim]]s.<ref name="pew">{{cite web |url=http://www.pewforum.org/uploadedFiles/Topics/Religious_Affiliation/Muslim/the-worlds-muslims-full-report.pdf | title=The World's Muslims: Unity and Diversity | accessdate=February 22, 2014 | date=August 9, 2012 | publisher=Pew Forum on Religious & Public life}}</ref> The remainder of the population follow traditional religions (1%), Baha'i (0.1%), other non-Christian religions (0.7%), or have no religious affiliation (0.9%).<ref name="Census 2002"/>

The northern and West Nile regions are predominantly Catholic, while the Iganga District in eastern Uganda has the highest percentage of Muslims. The rest of the country has a mix of religious affiliations.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2008/108397.htm |title=U.S. Department of State |publisher=State.gov |accessdate=29 July 2009}}</ref>

Prior to the advent of alien religions such as Christianity and Islam, traditional indigenous beliefs were practised as a means of ensuring welfare of the people were maintained at all times. Even today in contemporary times, these practices are rife in some rural areas and are sometimes blended with or practised alongside Christianity or Islam. In addition to a small community of Jewish expatriates centred in Kampala, Uganda is home to the [[Abayudaya]], a native Jewish community dating from the early 1900s. One of the world's seven [[Bahá'í Faith|Bahá'í]] [[Bahá'í House of Worship|Houses of Worship]] is located on the outskirts of Kampala. See also [[Bahá'í Faith in Uganda]].

Founded by JJ Keki, an interfaith movement bringing together Muslim, Jewish, and Christian coffee farmers has resulted in the [[Mirembe Kawomera]] (Delicious Peace) Fair Trade Coffee Cooperative in Mbale, Uganda. Members of the cooperative sing about interfaith peace in Uganda on the Smithsonian Folkways album "Delicious Peace: Coffee, Music & Interfaith Harmony in Uganda."<ref>[http://www.folkways.si.edu/delicious-peace-coffee-music-and-interfaith-harmony-in-uganda/world/album/smithsonian Delicious Peace: Coffee, Music & Interfaith Harmony in Uganda]. Smithsonian Folkways</ref>

Indian nationals are the most significant immigrant population; members of this community are primarily [[Ismailism|Ismaili]] (Shi'a Muslim followers of the Aga Khan) or [[Hinduism|Hindu]].

===Largest cities===
{{Largest cities of Uganda}}

==Culture==
{{Main|Culture of Uganda|Music of Uganda|Cuisine of Uganda|List of African writers (by country)#Uganda|List of Ugandans}}
[[File:Uganda - Ruwenzori Mountain Lady.jpg|thumb|200px|Woman in [[Ruwenzori]]{{Disambiguation needed|date=April 2014}} – Eastern Uganda]]
Owing to the large number of communities, culture within Uganda is diverse. Many Asians (mostly from India) who were expelled during the regime of [[Idi Amin|Amin]] have returned to Uganda.<ref>{{cite news|accessdate=29 September 2011|title=Kampala Journal; Cast Out Once, Asians Return: Uganda Is Home|work=The New York Times |url=http://www.nytimes.com/1993/03/22/world/kampala-journal-cast-out-once-asians-return-uganda-is-home.html?scp=1&sq=indians%20return%20to%20uganda&st=cse|first=Donatella|last=Lorch|date=22 March 1993}}</ref>

===Music===
{{Main|Music of Uganda}}

Ugandan music is as diverse as the ethnicity of its people. The country is home to over 30 different ethnic groups and tribes and they form the basis of all indigenous music. The Baganda, being the most prominent tribe in the country, have dominated the culture and music of Uganda over the last two centuries. However, the other tribes all have their own music styles passed down from generations dating back to the 18th century. These variations all make for good diversity in music and culture.

Music is an important cultural and communicative tool in Uganda. In recent years, [[Smithsonian Folkways]] has produced two albums featuring traditional music of the region: "Abayudaya: Music from the Jewish People of Ugandan" and "Delicious Peace: Coffee, Music & Interfaith Harmony in Uganda"

===Sport===
[[Association football|Football]] is the national sport in Uganda. Games involving the [[Uganda national football team|Ugandan national football team]] usually attract large crowds of Ugandans from all walks of life. The [[Ugandan Super League]] is the top division of Ugandan football contested by 16 clubs from across the country; it was created in 1968. [[Football in Uganda]] is managed by the [[Federation of Uganda Football Associations]] (FUFA). The association administers the national football team, as well as the Super League.

South African broadcaster [[DStv]] through its Super Sport network broadcasts the Ugandan League to 46 different countries in sub Saharan Africa. Football is played all over Uganda especially by children in schools and young people on a variety of pitch surfaces. Uganda's most famous footballers are [[David Obua]] of Scottish club Hearts and [[Ibrahim Sekagya]], who is the captain of the national team, Austria's Red Bulls and Nestroy Kizito.{{Citation needed|date=September 2011}} Uganda's notable past greats of the game include [[Denis Obua]], [[Majid Musisi]], Fimbo Mukasa and Paul Kasule.

[[Image:Football in full swing (501839950).jpg|thumb|250px|Young boys playing [[Association football|football]] (soccer) in [[Arua District]].]]
[[Cricket]] has experienced rapid growth in Uganda, although football is the national sport.{{Citation needed|date=September 2011}} Recently in the Quadrangular Tournament in [[Kenya]], Uganda came in as the underdogs and went on to register a historic win against archrivals Kenya.{{Citation needed|date=September 2011}} Uganda also won the [[World Cricket League]] (WCL) Division 3 and came in fourth place in the WCL Division 2. In February 2009, Uganda finished as runner-up in the WCL Division 3 competition held in [[Argentina]], thus gaining a place in the World Cup Qualifier held in South Africa in April 2009.

In 2007, the [[Uganda national rugby union team]] were victorious in the [[2007 Africa Cup]], beating [[Madagascar national rugby union team|Madagascar]] in the final.

[[Rallying]] is a popular sport in Uganda with the country having successfully staged a round of the [[African Rally Championship]] (ARC), [[Pearl of Africa Rally]] since 1996, when it was a candidate event. The country has gone on to produce African rally champions such as Charles Muhangi, who won the 1999 ARC crown.{{Citation needed|date=September 2011}} Other notable Ugandans on the African rally scene include Riyaz Kurji, who was killed in a fatal accident while leading the 2009 edition, Emma Katto, Karim Hirji, Chipper Adams and Charles Lubega. Ugandans have also featured prominently in the [[Safari Rally]].{{Citation needed|date=September 2011}}

Ugandans have played [[hockey]] since the early 1920s.{{Citation needed|date=September 2011}} It was originally played by Asians, but now is widely played by people from other racial backgrounds. Hockey is the only Ugandan field sport to date to have qualified for and represented the country at the Olympics; this was at the [[1972 Summer Olympics]]. Uganda has won gold medals at the Olympics in athletics with legendary hurdler [[John Akii-Bua]] in 1972 and marathon winner at the London 2012 Olympics [[Stephen Kiprotich]].

In July 2011 Kampala, Uganda qualified for the [[2011 Little League World Series]] in [[Williamsport, Pennsylvania]] for the first time, beating [[Dharan LL]] in Saudi Arabia, though due to visa complications they were unable to attend the Series.<ref>{{cite news|accessdate=29 September 2011|title=Frustrating View of Game Day|work=The New York Times |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/20/sports/baseball/ugandans-watch-little-league-world-series-from-home.html?_r=1&ref=uganda|first=Bandele|last=Adeyemi|date=19 August 2011}}</ref> In 2012, Uganda qualified again for the [[2012 Little League World Series|Little League World Series]]; and, the team was able to finally make its first appearance at the tournament in Williamsport.

Uganda competed in the FIL World Lacrosse Championships in Denver. Uganda finished 34th with victories over Korea and Argentina.

===Cuisine===
{{Main|Ugandan cuisine}}
[[Image:UgandaWaragi.jpg|upright|thumb|Uganda [[Waragi]] is a common alcoholic beverage in Uganda]]

Ugandan [[cuisine]] consists of traditional cooking with English, [[Arab]], Asian and especially Indian influences.{{Citation needed|date=June 2011}} Like the cuisines of most countries, it varies in complexity, from the most basic, a [[starch]]y filler with a [[sauce]] of [[beans]] or meat, to several-course meals served in upper-class homes and high-end restaurants. {{Citation needed|date=February 2007}}

Main dishes are usually centred on a [[sauce]] or [[stew]] of [[peanut|groundnut]]s, [[bean]]s or meat. The starch traditionally comes from [[ugali]] (maize meal) in the North and East or [[matoke]] (boiled and mashed green banana) in Central, or an ugali made from [[millet]] in the West. [[Cassava]], [[yam (vegetable)|yam]] and African [[sweet potato]]{{clarify|post-text= – Sweet potatoes are an [[Sweet potato#Origin, distribution and diversity|American Indian crop]]|date=October 2011}} are also eaten; the more affluent include white (often called "Irish") potato and rice in their diets. [[Soybean]]s were promoted as a healthy food staple in the 1970s and are also used especially for breakfast. [[Chapati]], an Asian [[flatbread]], is also part of Ugandan cuisine.

===Cinema===
{{Main|Cinema of Uganda}}
The Ugandan film industry is relatively young. It is developing quickly, but still faces an assortment of challenges. Recently there has been support for the industry as seen in the proliferation of film festivals such as Amakula, [[Pearl International Film Festival]], Maisha African Film Festival and Manya Human Rights Festival. However filmmakers struggle against the competing markets from other countries on the continent such as those in Nigeria and South Africa in addition to the big budget films from Hollywood.<ref name="cannesvupar.com">[http://www.cannesvupar.com/telling-the-story-against-all-odds-state-of-uganda-film-industry/ Telling the story against all odds; state of Uganda film industry]. Cannes vu par. Retrieved on 19 July 2013.</ref>

The first publicly recognised film that was produced solely by Ugandans was ''Feelings Struggle'', which was directed and written by Hajji [[Ashraf Ssemwogerere]] in 2005.<ref>Rasmussen, Kristin Alexandra (2010) [http://scholarworks.sjsu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=4889&context=etd_theses Kinna-Uganda: A review of Uganda's national cinema]. Master's Theses. Paper 3892. The Faculty of the Department of TV, Radio, Film, Theatre Arts, San José State University, US</ref> This marks the year of assent of film in Uganda, a time where many enthusiasts were proud to classify themselves as cinematographers in varied capacities.<ref name="monitor.co.ug">[http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Theatre---Cinema/Ugandan-film-s-leap/-/691234/1868542/-/89jsv5z/-/index.html Ugandan film’s leap – Theatre & Cinema]. monitor.co.ug. Retrieved on 19 July 2013.</ref>

The local film industry is currently polarised between two types of filmmakers. The first are filmmakers who use the guerrilla [[Nollywood]] (cinema of Nigeria) approach to filmmaking, churning out a picture in around two weeks and screening it in makeshift video halls. The second is the filmmaker who has the film aesthetic, but with limited funds has to depend on the competitive scramble for donor cash.<ref name="cannesvupar.com"/>

Though cinema in Uganda is evolving it still faces major challenges. Along with technical problems such as refining acting and editing, there are issues regarding funding and the lack of government support and investment. There are no schools in the country dedicated to film, banks do not extend credit to film ventures, and distribution and marketing of movies remains poor.<ref name="cannesvupar.com"/><ref name="monitor.co.ug"/>

The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) is currently preparing regulations starting in 2014 that require Ugandan television to broadcast 70 percent Ugandan content and of this, 40 percent to independent productions. With the emphasis on Ugandan Film and the UCC regulations favouring Ugandan productions for mainstream television, Ugandan film may become more prominent and successful in the near future.<ref name="monitor.co.ug"/>

===Tourism===
{{Main|Tourism in Uganda}}

==See also==
{{portal|Geography|Africa|Uganda}}
{{Wikipedia books|Uganda}}
{{columns-list|2|
*[[Index of Uganda-related articles]]
*[[Outline of Uganda]]
*[[Cabinet of Uganda]]
*[[Conservation in Uganda]]
*[[Heroes' Day#Heroes' Day in Uganda|National Heroes' Day]]
*[[Kisizi]]
*[[List of national parks of Uganda]]
*[[Lord's Resistance Army insurgency]]
*[[The Uganda Scouts Association]]
*[[Uganda AIDS Orphan Children Foundation]]
*''[[War/Dance]]''}}

{{clear}}

== References ==
{{reflist|30em}}

==Further reading==
; Encyclopedias
* Appiah, Anthony and Henry Louis Gates (ed). ''Encyclopaedia of Africa'' (2010). Oxford University Press.
* Middleton, John (ed). ''New encyclopaedia of Africa'' (2008). Detroit: Thompson-Gale.
* Shillington, Kevin (ed). ''Encyclopedia of African history'' (2005). CRC Press.
; Selected books
* BakamaNume, Bakama B. ''[http://books.google.com/books?id=E-u-oqGczPsC&source=gbs_ViewAPI A Contemporary Geography of Uganda].'' (2011) African Books Collective.
* {{cite book|title=Uganda (Cultures of the World)|author=Robert Barlas|publisher=Marshall Cavendish|year=2000|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=T3RYYPSq8JoC|isbn=9780761409816|oclc=41299243}} overview written for younger readers.
* Chrétien, Jean-Pierre. ''The great lakes of Africa: two thousand years of history'' (2003). New York: Zone Books.
* Hodd, Michael and Angela Roche. ''Uganda handbook'' (2011) Bath: Footprint.
* Jagielski, Wojciech and Antonia Lloyd-Jones. ''The night wanderers: Uganda's children and the Lord's Resistance Army.'' (2012). New York: Seven Stories Press. ISBN 9781609803506
* Otiso, Kefa M. ''[http://books.google.com/books?id=rMnkcZsv_eEC&source=gbs_ViewAPI Culture And Customs of Uganda].'' (2006) Greenwood Publishing Group.

== External links ==
{{Sister project links|voy=Uganda}}
;Overview
* {{CIA World Factbook link|ug|Uganda}}
* [http://ucblibraries.colorado.edu/govpubs/for/uganda.htm Uganda] from ''UCB Libraries GovPubs''.
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/country_profiles/1069166.stm Country Profile] from [[BBC News]].
*[http://www.business-anti-corruption.com/country-profiles/sub-saharan-africa/uganda-version/snapshot.aspx Uganda Corruption Profile] from the [[Business-Anti-Corruption Portal|Business Anti-Corruption Portal]]
* {{dmoz|Regional/Africa/Uganda}}
;Maps
* [http://www.un.org/Depts/Cartographic/map/profile/uganda.pdf Printable map of Uganda from UN.org]
* {{wikiatlas|Uganda}}
;Government and economy
* [https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/world-leaders-1/world-leaders-u/uganda.html Chief of State and Cabinet Members]
* [http://www.ifs.du.edu/ifs/frm_CountryProfile.aspx?Country=UG Key Development Forecasts for Uganda] from [[International Futures]].
;Humanitarian issues
* [http://www.irinnews.org/Africa-Country.aspx?Country=UG Humanitarian news and analysis from IRIN – Uganda]
* [http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/dbc.nsf/doc104?OpenForm&rc=1&cc=uga Humanitarian information coverage on ReliefWeb]
* [http://www.rfi.fr/actuen/pages/001/page_40.asp Radio France International – dossier on Uganda and Lord's Resistance Army]
;Trade
*[http://wits.worldbank.org/CountryProfile/Country/UGA/Year/2012/Summary World Bank Summary Trade Statistics Uganda]
;Tourism
* [http://www.visituganda.com/ Uganda Tourist Board]
* {{Wikivoyage-inline}}

{{Uganda topics}}
{{Districts of Uganda}}
{{Navboxes
|title = Geographic and linguistic locale
|list =
{{Countries of Africa}}
{{African Union}}
}}
{{Organisation of Islamic Cooperation}}
{{Commonwealth of Nations}}

<!--In other languages-->

[[Category:Uganda| ]]
[[Category:Countries in Africa]]
[[Category:East African countries]]
[[Category:Bantu countries and territories]]
[[Category:Southeast Africa]]
<!--Ebola virus?: [[Category:Eboli virus]]-->
[[Category:English-speaking countries and territories]]
[[Category:Landlocked countries]]
[[Category:Least developed countries]]
[[Category:Member states of the African Union]]
[[Category:Member states of the Commonwealth of Nations]]
[[Category:Member states of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation]]
[[Category:States and territories established in 1962]]
[[Category:Swahili-speaking countries and territories]]
[[Category:Member states of the United Nations]]
[[Category:Commonwealth republics]]
[[Category:Republics]]
[[Category:World Digital Library related]]

Revision as of 08:30, 19 July 2014

Jarod created uganda

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Uganda&oldid=617555288"