|  On this page you will find out facts about Uganda, its population, languages spoken and much more...
Uganda is a landlocked country in East Africa, stretching along the equator between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Kenya. It has earned the title of ‘The Pearl of Africa' due to the beauty of its natural features and significant natural resources. With fertile lands and regular rainfall approximately 80% of the population are farmers.Economic and democratic reforms introduced since 1986 by President Yoweri Museveni have aided the rapid recovery from depression, conflict and economic despair that devastated the country during Idi Amin's dictatorship in the 1970s. However ongoing conflict in the north between the Government and the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) has caused a severe humanitarian crisis and massive displacement.
Uganda remains a very poor country with life expectancy at just 46 years and 85% of the population living on less than $1 a day. HIV/AIDS infection levels in Uganda have shown significant decline over the past decade aided by a national campaign to control the spread of the virus.
Significant progress around primary school education is evident, even though 85% of children do not attend secondary school. However the under-five mortality rate remains high with malaria, respiratory infections, diarrhoea and HIV/AIDS as main causes.
The Africa Media Development Initiative, a creation of the BBC World Service Trust has created an easy to read report on media in Uganda, which contains an excellent country overview. To visit the AMDI website for the full report click here.
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The African Media Research project has created an easy to read report on Uganda.
 Uganda's Economy 10-04-2008
Uganda's economy is largely dependent on agriculture, with the traditional cash crops of coffee and cotton in the forefront. Fish and vanilla are also becoming significant exports. The GDP per capita for 2005 was estimated at US$1800 (CIA, 2006). With an estimated 88% of the population categorised as rural, small-scale agriculture and subsistence farming provide the main forms of income for many people (UBOS, 2002). The rural areas are characterised by high levels of poverty, as soils have become less productive due to over-use. Fluctuations in cash crop prices have also served to undermine rural economies. It is thought that around 55% of Uganda's population lives below the national poverty line (UNDP, 2006). Many people migrate to urban centres in search of work.
African Media Development Initiative: Uganda Context
Ugandan AMDI research Report, published by the BBC World Service Trust
Author: Dr John Wotsuna Khamalwa
 Languages 10-04-2008
It is estimated that there are around 40 different languages regularly and currently in use in Uganda. English became the official language after independence and is taught in schools, used in courts of law, and used by most newspapers, and by some radio broadcasters. Swahili is also widely spoken and is used as a trade language throughout the East African region. Thanks to Uganda's important economic bonds with Kenya and Tanzania, Swahili has grown in popularity, and was designated in 2005 by the Ugandan Parliament as the country's second official language. Ganda, or Luganda, spoken by the Baganda people, is thought to be the most widely-spoken vernacular language. Other significant vernacular anguages spoken are Luo, Ateso and Runyakitara (UBOS, 2002).
African Media Development Initiative: Uganda Context
Ugandan AMDI research Report, published by the BBC World Service Trust
Author: Dr John Wotsuna Khamalwa
 Map of Uganda 05-20-2008
Uganda is a landlocked country in East Africa, stretching along the equator between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Kenya. |
