Uganda |
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The landlocked country of the Republic of Uganda is located in East Africa, bordering Kenya to the east, Sudan to the north, the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west, Rwanda to the southwest and Tanzania to the south. The border of the Lake Victoria is shared by Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania. The city of Kampala is the capital of Uganda. HISTORY:- Bantu-speaking peoples arrived in the region around 500 BC. By the end of the 14th century, Uganda was divided into three kingdoms- Buganda, Bunyoro, and Ankole. In 1844, Arabs and the Europeans settled in the land. In 1894, Uganda became a protectorate of the British. The British East Africa Company was chartered to develop the land. In 1962, Uganda became independent. Sir Edward Mutesa, the king of Buganda was elected the first president of Uganda. The Prime Minister Milton Obote overpowered president Mutesa in 1966. Obote was disposed by Colonel Amin in 1971. Idi Amin declared himself the President for Life in 1976. Following the Uganda-Tanzania War in 1979 Amin era was ended. GEOGRAPHY:- Uganda is located at 1 00 N, 32 00 E in Eastern Africa. The landlocked nation occupies total 236,040 sq km area in which 199,710 sq km area in covered with land mass and the remaining 36,330 sq km area is covered with internal water sources. Uganda is surrounded by Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, Sudan, and Tanzania. The lowest point is the Lake Albert (621 m) whilst the highest point is Margherita Peak, located on the Mount Stanley (5,110 m). Uganda is formed of mostly plateau with rim of mountains. CLIMATE:- The climate of Uganda is predominantly tropical. The overall climate is rainy with two dry seasons from December to February, and from June to August. The northeastern part of the country is semiarid. GOVERNMENT:- Uganda is a republic. The constitution was adopted on 8th October 1995. The amendments to the constitution made in 2005 introduced multiparty system in Uganda. The legal system is based on the English common law and the customary law. The three principal branches of the government are: Executive branch comprises the President (chief of state and head of government), the Prime Minister, and the cabinet. The president is elected by popular vote on a 5-year term. The prime minister assists the president in the supervision of the cabinet. The cabinet ministers are appointed by the president from among elected legislators. Legislative branch comprises the unicameral National Assembly (332 seats). Judicial branch comprises the Magistrate's Court, the High Court, the Court of Appeals, and the Supreme Court. The judges of the Court of Appeals are appointed by the president and on the approval of the legislature while the judges of the High Court are appointed by the president. Conservative Party, Democratic Party, Forum for Democratic Change, Justice Forum, National Resistance Movement, Peoples Progressive Party, and Ugandan People's Congress are among the principal political parties of Uganda. Suffrage is universal at the age of 18. President Yoweri Museveni ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISIONS:- Uganda is composed of 80 districts. CULTURE:- The culture of Uganda has a wide range of variety. Cricket is the most popular sport of the nation while Rugby Union is also widely practiced. ECONOMY:- Ugandan economy mainly depends on agriculture, providing 80% employment. Most of the industries are related to agriculture. In spite of having a fertile land, regular rainfall, and large mineral deposits, Uganda is considered as one of the poorest nations in the world for its political instability and erratic economic management. GDP/PPP (2007 est.): $29.04 billion; per capita $900. Real growth rate: 6.5%. Inflation: 6.8%. Unemployment: NA. Arable land: 22%. Agriculture: Coffee, tea, cotton, tobacco, cassava (tapioca), potatoes, corn, millet, pulses, cut flowers; beef, goat meat, milk, poultry. Labor force: 14.02 (2007 est.) million; agriculture 82%, industry 5%, services 13% (1999 est.). Industries: Sugar, brewing, tobacco, cotton textiles; cement, steel production. Natural resources: Copper, cobalt, hydropower, limestone, salt, arable land. Budget: Public debt: 20.6% of GDP (2007 est.) Debt - external: $1.498 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Exports: $768 million f.o.b. (2005 est.): coffee, fish and fish products, tea, cotton, flowers, horticultural products; gold. Imports: $1.608 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.): capital equipment, vehicles, petroleum, medical supplies; cereals. Major trading partners: Kenya, Netherlands, Belgium, France, Germany, Rwanda, U.S., UAE, South Africa, India, China, UK, Japan (2004). Monetary unit: Ugandan new shilling LANGUAGE:- Official languages of Uganda are English and Swahili. Ganda or Luganda is most widely spoken. Other languages include Niger-Congo languages, Nilo-Saharan languages, and Arabic. CITIES:- The capital of Uganda is Kampala and it is also the largest city of the land. Other large cities are Jinja, Gulu, Mbale, Mbarara. POPULATION:- The population is approximated 30,262,610 with a growth rate of 3.6%. RACE:- RELIGION:- HEALTH:- UNICEF:- 13.5 million children received immunization against measles in 2003, 4 million children received vitamin A supplements and de-worming treatments. The Girls’ Education Movement (GEM) in 18 districts reached 3.7 million girls. 512,000 mothers helped in prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) of HIV in 91 sites. 1.4 million children have been registered in birth-and-death registration programme in 25 districts. 300,000 displaced children received treatment drugs in the conflict-stricken districts. 8,000 malnourished children received therapeutic milk and high-energy biscuits. School children assisted in temporary learning centres and Early Childhood Development (ECD) sites. UNICEF also unites the displaced children with their respective families. TRANSPORTATION:-
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