2013 Edition

Background

The colonial boundaries created by Britain to delimit Uganda grouped together a wide range of ethnic groups with different political systems and cultures. These differences prevented the establishment of a working political community after independence was achieved in 1962. The dictatorial regime of Idi AMIN (1971-79) was responsible for the deaths of some 300,000 opponents; guerrilla war and human rights abuses under Milton OBOTE (1980-85) claimed at least another 100,000 lives. The rule of Yoweri MUSEVENI since 1986 has brought relative stability and economic growth to Uganda. A constitutional referendum in 2005 cancelled a 19-year ban on multi-party politics.

Area

241,038 sq km 197,100 sq km 43,938 sq km

total

241,038 sq km

water

43,938 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly smaller than Oregon

Climate

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

Coastline

0 km (landlocked)

Elevation extremes

Lake Albert 621 m Margherita Peak on Mount Stanley 5,110 m

highest point

Margherita Peak on Mount Stanley 5,110 m

lowest point

Lake Albert 621 m

Environment - current issues

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

Environment - international agreements

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands Environmental Modification

party to

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified

Environmental Modification

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

0.32 cu km/yr (41%/16%/43%) 12.31 cu m/yr (2005)

per capita

12.31 cu m/yr (2005)

total

0.32 cu km/yr (41%/16%/43%)

Geographic coordinates

1 00 N, 32 00 E

Geography - note

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

Irrigated land

144.2 sq km (2010)

Land boundaries

2,698 km Democratic Republic of the Congo 765 km, Kenya 933 km, Rwanda 169 km, South Sudan 435 km, Tanzania 396 km

border countries

Democratic Republic of the Congo 765 km, Kenya 933 km, Rwanda 169 km, South Sudan 435 km, Tanzania 396 km

total

2,698 km

Land use

27.94% 9.11% 62.95% (2011)

arable land

27.94%

other

62.95% (2011)

permanent crops

9.11%

Location

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

Map references

Africa

Maritime claims

none (landlocked)

Natural hazards

NA

Natural resources

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

Terrain

mostly plateau with rim of mountains

Total renewable water resources

66 cu km (2011)

Age structure

48.9% (male 8,467,172/female 8,519,723) 21.2% (male 3,658,564/female 3,707,462) 25.5% (male 4,431,852/female 4,432,393) 2.3% (male 383,364/female 427,512) 2.1% (male 323,508/female 407,259) (2013 est.)

0-14 years

48.9% (male 8,467,172/female 8,519,723)

15-24 years

21.2% (male 3,658,564/female 3,707,462)

25-54 years

25.5% (male 4,431,852/female 4,432,393)

55-64 years

2.3% (male 383,364/female 427,512)

65 years and over

2.1% (male 323,508/female 407,259) (2013 est.)

Birth rate

44.5 births/1,000 population (2013 est.)

Child labor - children ages 5-14

117,266 25 % data represents children ages 5-17 working in the (2010 est.)

percentage

25 %

total number

117,266

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

16.4% (2006)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

30% (2011)

Death rate

11.26 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.)

Dependency ratios

103.3 % 98.4 % 4.9 % 20.3 (2013)

elderly dependency ratio

4.9 %

potential support ratio

20.3 (2013)

total dependency ratio

103.3 %

youth dependency ratio

98.4 %

Drinking water source

urban: 95% of population rural: 68% of population total: 72% of population urban: 5% of population rural: 32% of population total: 28% of population (2010 est.)

rural

32% of population

total

28% of population (2010 est.)

urban

5% of population

Education expenditures

3.3% of GDP (2012)

Ethnic groups

Baganda 16.9%, Banyankole 9.5%, Basoga 8.4%, Bakiga 6.9%, Iteso 6.4%, Langi 6.1%, Acholi 4.7%, Bagisu 4.6%, Lugbara 4.2%, Bunyoro 2.7%, other 29.6% (2002 census)

Health expenditures

9.5% of GDP (2011)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

6.5% (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

64,000 (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

1.2 million (2009 est.)

Hospital bed density

0.5 beds/1,000 population (2010)

Infant mortality rate

62.47 deaths/1,000 live births 72 deaths/1,000 live births 52.66 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)

female

52.66 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)

total

62.47 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

English (official national language, taught in grade schools, used in courts of law and by most newspapers and some radio broadcasts), Ganda or Luganda (most widely used of the Niger-Congo languages, preferred for native language publications in the capital and may be taught in school), other Niger-Congo languages, Nilo-Saharan languages, Swahili, Arabic

Life expectancy at birth

53.98 years 52.65 years 55.35 years (2013 est.)

female

55.35 years (2013 est.)

total population

53.98 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 73.2% 82.6% 64.6% (2010 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

64.6% (2010 est.)

male

82.6%

total population

73.2%

Major infectious diseases

very high bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever malaria, dengue fever, and trypanosomiasis-Gambiense (African sleeping sickness) schistosomiasis rabies (2013)

animal contact disease

rabies (2013)

degree of risk

very high

food or waterborne diseases

bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever

vectorborne diseases

malaria, dengue fever, and trypanosomiasis-Gambiense (African sleeping sickness)

water contact disease

schistosomiasis

Major urban areas - population

KAMPALA (capital) 1.535 million (2009)

Maternal mortality rate

310 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)

Median age

15.5 years 15.4 years 15.5 years (2013 est.)

female

15.5 years (2013 est.)

male

15.4 years

total

15.5 years

Mother's mean age at first birth

18.9 Median age at first birth among women 25-29 (2011 est.)

Nationality

Ugandan(s) Ugandan

adjective

Ugandan

noun

Ugandan(s)

Net migration rate

-0.01 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

4.3% (2008)

Physicians density

0.12 physicians/1,000 population (2005)

Population

34,758,809 (July 2013 est.) estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected

Population growth rate

3.32% (2013 est.)

Religions

Roman Catholic 41.9%, Protestant 42% (Anglican 35.9%, Pentecostal 4.6%, Seventh-Day Adventist 1.5%), Muslim 12.1%, other 3.1%, none 0.9% (2002 census)

Sanitation facility access

urban: 34% of population rural: 34% of population total: 34% of population urban: 66% of population rural: 66% of population total: 66% of population (2010 est.)

rural

66% of population

total

66% of population (2010 est.)

urban

66% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

11 years 11 years 11 years (2009)

female

11 years (2009)

male

11 years

total

11 years

Sex ratio

1.03 male(s)/female 0.99 male(s)/female 0.99 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female 0.89 male(s)/female 0.8 male(s)/female 0.99 male(s)/female (2013 est.)

0-14 years

0.99 male(s)/female

15-24 years

0.99 male(s)/female

25-54 years

1 male(s)/female

55-64 years

0.89 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.8 male(s)/female

at birth

1.03 male(s)/female

total population

0.99 male(s)/female (2013 est.)

Total fertility rate

6.06 children born/woman (2013 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

5.4% (2009)

total

5.4% (2009)

Urbanization

15.6% of total population (2011) 5.74% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

5.74% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

15.6% of total population (2011)

Administrative divisions

111 districts and 1 capital city*; Abim, Adjumani, Agago, Alebtong, Amolatar, Amudat, Amuria, Amuru, Apac, Arua, Budaka, Bududa, Bugiri, Buhweju, Buikwe, Bukedea, Bukomansimbi, Bukwa, Bulambuli, Bulisa, Bundibugyo, Bushenyi, Busia, Butaleja, Butambala, Buvuma, Buyende, Dokolo, Gomba, Gulu, Hoima, Ibanda, Iganga, Isingiro, Jinja, Kaabong, Kabale, Kabarole, Kaberamaido, Kalangala, Kaliro, Kalungu, Kampala*, Kamuli, Kamwenge, Kanungu, Kapchorwa, Kasese, Katakwi, Kayunga, Kibale, Kiboga, Kibuku, Kiruhura, Kiryandongo, Kisoro, Kitgum, Koboko, Kole, Kotido, Kumi, Kween, Kyankwanzi, Kyegegwa, Kyenjojo, Lamwo, Lira, Luuka, Luwero, Lwengo, Lyantonde, Manafwa, Maracha, Masaka, Masindi, Mayuge, Mbale, Mbarara, Mitoma, Mityana, Moroto, Moyo, Mpigi, Mubende, Mukono, Nakapiripirit, Nakaseke, Nakasongola, Namayingo, Namutumba, Napak, Nebbi, Ngora, Ntoroko, Ntungamo, Nwoya, Otuke, Oyam, Pader, Pallisa, Rakai, Rubirizi, Rukungiri, Sembabule, Serere, Sheema, Sironko, Soroti, Tororo, Wakiso, Yumbe, Zombo

Capital

Kampala 0 19 N, 32 33 E UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

geographic coordinates

0 19 N, 32 33 E

name

Kampala

time difference

UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution

several previous; latest adopted 27 September 1995, promulgated 8 October 1995; amended many times, last in 2005 (2011)

Country name

Republic of Uganda Uganda

conventional long form

Republic of Uganda

conventional short form

Uganda

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador Scott H. DELISI (since 18 July 2012) 1577 Ggaba Road, Kampala P. O. Box 7007, Kampala [256] (414) 259 791 through 93, 95 [256] (414) 259-794

chief of mission

Ambassador Scott H. DELISI (since 18 July 2012)

embassy

1577 Ggaba Road, Kampala

FAX

[256] (414) 259-794

mailing address

P. O. Box 7007, Kampala

telephone

[256] (414) 259 791 through 93, 95

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Oliver WONEKHA (since 6 June 2013) 5911 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20011 [1] (202) 726-7100 through 7102, 0416 [1] (202) 726-1727

chancery

5911 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20011

chief of mission

Ambassador Oliver WONEKHA (since 6 June 2013)

FAX

[1] (202) 726-1727

telephone

[1] (202) 726-7100 through 7102, 0416

Executive branch

President Lt. Gen. Yoweri Kaguta MUSEVENI (since seizing power on 26 January 1986); Vice President Edward SSEKANDI (since 24 May 2011) note - the president is both chief of state and head of government President Lt. Gen. Yoweri Kaguta MUSEVENI (since seizing power on 26 January 1986); Prime Minister Amama MBABAZI (since 24 May 2011); note - the prime minister assists the president in the supervision of the cabinet Cabinet appointed by the president from among elected legislators president reelected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held on 18 February 2011 (next to be held in 2016) Lt. Gen. Yoweri Kaguta MUSEVENI elected president; percent of vote - Lt. Gen. Yoweri Kaguta MUSEVENI 68.4%, Kizza BESIGYE 26.0%, other 5.6%

cabinet

Cabinet appointed by the president from among elected legislators

chief of state

President Lt. Gen. Yoweri Kaguta MUSEVENI (since seizing power on 26 January 1986); Vice President Edward SSEKANDI (since 24 May 2011) note - the president is both chief of state and head of government

election results

Lt. Gen. Yoweri Kaguta MUSEVENI elected president; percent of vote - Lt. Gen. Yoweri Kaguta MUSEVENI 68.4%, Kizza BESIGYE 26.0%, other 5.6%

elections

president reelected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held on 18 February 2011 (next to be held in 2016)

head of government

President Lt. Gen. Yoweri Kaguta MUSEVENI (since seizing power on 26 January 1986); Prime Minister Amama MBABAZI (since 24 May 2011); note - the prime minister assists the president in the supervision of the cabinet

Flag description

six equal horizontal bands of black (top), yellow, red, black, yellow, and red; a white disk is superimposed at the center and depicts a grey crowned crane (the national symbol) facing the hoist side; black symbolizes the African people, yellow sunshine and vitality, red African brotherhood; the crane was the military badge of Ugandan soldiers under the UK

Government type

republic

Independence

9 October 1962 (from the UK)

International law organization participation

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation

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

Judicial branch

Supreme Court of Uganda (consists of the chief justice and 5 justices) justices appointed by the president in consultation with the Judicial Service Commission (a 9-member independent advisory body) and with approval of the National Assembly; justices serve until mandatory retirement at age 70 Court of Appeal (also sits as the Constitutional Court); High Court (includes 10 High Court Circuits and 7 High Court Divisions); Chief Magistrate Grade One and Grade Two Courts

highest court(s)

Supreme Court of Uganda (consists of the chief justice and 5 justices)

judge selection and term of office

justices appointed by the president in consultation with the Judicial Service Commission (a 9-member independent advisory body) and with approval of the National Assembly; justices serve until mandatory retirement at age 70

subordinate courts

Court of Appeal (also sits as the Constitutional Court); High Court (includes 10 High Court Circuits and 7 High Court Divisions); Chief Magistrate Grade One and Grade Two Courts

Legal system

mixed legal system of English common law and customary law

Legislative branch

unicameral National Assembly (375 seats; 238 members elected by popular vote, 112 women directly elected, 25 nominated by legally established special interest groups [army 10, disabled 5, youth 5, labor 5], additional ex-officio members may be nominated by the president; members serve five-year terms) last held on 18 February 2011 (next to be held in 2016) percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NRM 263, FDC 34, DP 12, UPC 10, UPDF 10, CP 1, JEEMA 1, independents 43, vacant 1; note - UPDF is the Uganda People's Defense Force

election results

percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NRM 263, FDC 34, DP 12, UPC 10, UPDF 10, CP 1, JEEMA 1, independents 43, vacant 1; note - UPDF is the Uganda People's Defense Force

elections

last held on 18 February 2011 (next to be held in 2016)

National anthem

"Oh Uganda, Land of Beauty!" George Wilberforce KAKOMOA adopted 1962

lyrics/music

George Wilberforce KAKOMOA

name

"Oh Uganda, Land of Beauty!"

National holiday

Independence Day, 9 October (1962)

National symbol(s)

grey crowned crane

Political parties and leaders

Conservative Party or CP [Ken LUKYAMUZI] Democratic Party or DP [Norbert MAO] Forum for Democratic Change or FDC [Muntu MUGISHA] Inter-Party Co-operation or IPC (a coalition of opposition groups) Justice Forum or JEEMA [Asuman BASALIRWA] National Resistance Movement or NRM [Yoweri MUSEVENI] Peoples Progressive Party or PPP [Bidandi SSALI] Ugandan People's Congress or UPC [Olara OTUNNU] a national referendum in July 2005 opened the way for Uganda's transition to a multi-party political system

Political pressure groups and leaders

Lord's Resistance Army or LRA [Joseph KONY] Parliamentary Advocacy Forum or PAFO National Association of Women Organizations in Uganda or NAWOU [Florence NEKYON] The Ugandan Coalition for Political Accountability to Women or COPAW

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

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

Budget

$3.098 billion $3.701 billion (2012 est.)

expenditures

$3.701 billion (2012 est.)

revenues

$3.098 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-2.9% of GDP (2012 est.)

Central bank discount rate

14% (31 December 2010 est.) 9.65% (31 December 2009 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

26.31% (31 December 2012 est.) 21.83% (31 December 2011 est.)

Current account balance

$-2.232 billion (2012 est.) $-2.16 billion (2011 est.)

Debt - external

$4.461 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $3.858 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

44.3 (2009) 45.7 (2002)

Economy - overview

Uganda has substantial natural resources, including fertile soils, regular rainfall, small deposits of copper, gold, and other minerals, and recently discovered oil. Uganda has never conducted a national minerals survey. Agriculture is the most important sector of the economy, employing over 80% of the work force. Coffee accounts for the bulk of export revenues. Since 1986, the government - with the support of foreign countries and international agencies - has acted to rehabilitate and stabilize the economy by undertaking currency reform, raising producer prices on export crops, increasing prices of petroleum products, and improving civil service wages. The policy changes are especially aimed at dampening inflation and boosting production and export earnings. Since 1990 economic reforms ushered in an era of solid economic growth based on continued investment in infrastructure, improved incentives for production and exports, lower inflation, better domestic security, and the return of exiled Indian-Ugandan entrepreneurs. Uganda has received about $2 billion in multilateral and bilateral debt relief. In 2007 Uganda received $10 million for a Millennium Challenge Account Threshold Program. The global economic downturn hurt Uganda's exports; however, Uganda's GDP growth has largely recovered due to past reforms and sound management of the downturn. Oil revenues and taxes will become a larger source of government funding as oil comes on line in the next few years. Rising food and fuel prices in 2011 led to protests. Instability in South Sudan is a risk for the Ugandan economy because Uganda''s main export partner is Sudan, and Uganda is a key destination for Sudanese refugees. Unreliable power, high energy costs, inadequate transportation infrastructure, and corruption inhibit economic development and investor confidence.

Exchange rates

Ugandan shillings (UGX) per US dollar - 2,505.6 (2012 est.) 2,522.8 (2011 est.) 2,177.6 (2010 est.) 2,030 (2009) 1,658.1 (2008)

Exports

$2.811 billion (2012 est.) $2.519 billion (2011 est.)

Exports - commodities

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

Exports - partners

Kenya 12.3%, Rwanda 10.3%, UAE 10.2%, Democratic Republic of the Congo 9.4%, Netherlands 6.1%, Germany 5.6%, Italy 4.4% (2012)

Fiscal year

1 July - 30 June

GDP - composition, by end use

80.8% 7.8% 24.9% 0.3% 22.3% -36.1% (2012 est.)

exports of goods and services

22.3%

government consumption

7.8%

household consumption

80.8%

imports of goods and services

-36.1%

investment in fixed capital

24.9%

investment in inventories

0.3%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

23.5% 27.2% 49.3% (2012 est.)

agriculture

23.5%

industry

27.2%

services

49.3% (2012 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$1,400 (2012 est.) $1,400 (2011 est.) $1,400 (2010 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

2.8% (2012 est.) 6.2% (2011 est.) 6.2% (2010 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$20.96 billion (2012 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$50.77 billion (2012 est.) $49.4 billion (2011 est.) $46.52 billion (2010 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars

Gross national saving

14.7% of GDP (2012 est.) 13.1% of GDP (2011 est.) 12.9% of GDP (2010 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

2.4% 36.1% (2009 est.)

highest 10%

36.1% (2009 est.)

lowest 10%

2.4%

Imports

$5.187 billion (2012 est.) $4.997 billion (2011 est.)

Imports - commodities

capital equipment, vehicles, petroleum, medical supplies; cereals

Imports - partners

Kenya 15.6%, UAE 15.4%, China 12.8%, India 11.7%, South Africa 4.1%, Japan 4% (2012)

Industrial production growth rate

3.6% (2012 est.)

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

14% (2012 est.) 18.7% (2011 est.)

Labor force

16.83 million (2012 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

82% 5% 13% (1999 est.)

agriculture

82%

industry

5%

services

13% (1999 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$7.727 billion (31 December 2011) $1.788 billion (31 December 2010) $3.745 billion (31 December 2010)

Population below poverty line

24.5% (2009 est.)

Public debt

26.3% of GDP (2012 est.) 23.7% of GDP (2011 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$3.167 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $2.617 billion (31 December 2011 est.) excludes gold

Stock of broad money

$4.162 billion (31 December 2011 est.) $4.058 billion (31 December 2010 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$NA

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$NA

Stock of domestic credit

$3.042 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $2.927 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$2.015 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $1.831 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

14.8% of GDP (2012 est.)

Unemployment rate

NA%

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

3.244 million Mt (2011 est.)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2012 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

2.5 billion bbl (1 January 2010 es)

Electricity - consumption

2.192 billion kWh (2010 est.)

Electricity - exports

75 million kWh (2010)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

31.5% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

65.3% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

3.2% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - imports

29 million kWh (2011 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

539,000 kW (2010 est.)

Electricity - production

2.406 billion kWh (2010 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

14.16 billion cu m (1 January 2013 es)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

16,930 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

22,990 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Broadcast media

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

Internet country code

.ug

Internet hosts

32,683 (2012)

Internet users

3.2 million (2009)

Telephone system

mobile cellular service is increasing rapidly, but the number of main lines is still deficient; work underway on a national backbone information and communications technology infrastructure; international phone networks and Internet connectivity provided through satellite and VSAT applications intercity traffic by wire, microwave radio relay, and radiotelephone communication stations, fixed and mobile-cellular systems for short-range traffic; mobile-cellular teledensity about 50 per 100 persons in 2010 country code - 256; satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) and 1 Inmarsat; analog links to Kenya and Tanzania (2011)

domestic

intercity traffic by wire, microwave radio relay, and radiotelephone communication stations, fixed and mobile-cellular systems for short-range traffic; mobile-cellular teledensity about 50 per 100 persons in 2010

general assessment

mobile cellular service is increasing rapidly, but the number of main lines is still deficient; work underway on a national backbone information and communications technology infrastructure; international phone networks and Internet connectivity provided through satellite and VSAT applications

international

country code - 256; satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) and 1 Inmarsat; analog links to Kenya and Tanzania (2011)

Telephones - main lines in use

315,000 (2012)

Telephones - mobile cellular

16.355 million (2012)

Airports

47 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

1 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

1

914 to 1,523 m

1 (2013)

over 3,047 m

3

total

5

Airports - with unpaved runways

7 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

8

914 to 1,523 m

26

over 3,047 m

1

total

42

Ports and terminals

Entebbe, Jinja, Port Bell

Railways

1,244 km 1,244 km 1.000-m gauge (2008)

total

1,244 km

Roadways

20,000 km (does not include local roads) 3,264 km 16,736 km (2011)

total

20,000 km (does not include local roads)

unpaved

16,736 km (2011)

Waterways

(there are no long navigable stretches of river in Uganda; parts of the Albert Nile that flow out of Lake Albert in the northwestern part of the country are navigable; several lakes including Lake Victoria and Lake Kyoga have substantial traffic; Lake Albert is navigable along a 200-km stretch from its northern tip to its southern shores) (2011)

Manpower available for military service

7,249,271 7,025,439 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

7,025,439 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

7,249,271

Manpower fit for military service

4,313,068 4,200,901 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

4,200,901 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

4,313,068

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

423,923 420,236 (2010 est.)

female

420,236 (2010 est.)

male

423,923

Military branches

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

Uganda People's Defense Force (UPDF)

Land Forces (includes Marine Unit), Uganda Air Force (2013)

Military expenditures

1.8% of GDP (2012)

Military service age and obligation

18-26 years of age for voluntary military duty; 18-30 years of age for professionals; no conscription; 9-year service obligation; the government has stated that while recruitment under 18 years of age could occur with proper consent, "no person under the apparent age of 18 years shall be enrolled in the armed forces"; Ugandan citizenship and secondary education required (2012)

Disputes - international

Uganda is subject to armed fighting among hostile ethnic groups, rebels, armed gangs, militias, and various government forces that extend across its borders; Ugandan refugees as well as members of the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) seek shelter in southern Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo's Garamba National Park; LRA forces have also attacked Kenyan villages across the border

Refugees and internally displaced persons

127,021 (Democratic Republic of Congo); 14,684 (Rwanda); 11,135 (South Sudan); 10,728 (Burundi); 7,910 (Sudan) (2012); 18,253 (Somalia) (2013) 30,000 (displacement in northern Uganda because of fighting between government forces and the Lord's Resistance Army; as of 2011, most of the 1.8 million people displaced to IDP camps at the height of the conflict had returned home or resettled, but many had not found durable solutions) (2011)

IDPs

30,000 (displacement in northern Uganda because of fighting between government forces and the Lord's Resistance Army; as of 2011, most of the 1.8 million people displaced to IDP camps at the height of the conflict had returned home or resettled, but many had not found durable solutions) (2011)

refugees (country of origin)

127,021 (Democratic Republic of Congo); 14,684 (Rwanda); 11,135 (South Sudan); 10,728 (Burundi); 7,910 (Sudan) (2012); 18,253 (Somalia) (2013)