Uganda

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 users

total: 7.131 million | percent of population: 19.2% (July 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 57

Telephone system

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 fiber-optic cables through Kenya and the Indian Ocean | domestic: intercity traffic by wire, microwave radio relay, and radiotelephone communication stations, fixed-line and mobile-cellular systems for short-range traffic; mobile-cellular teledensity about 55 per 100 persons | international: country code - 256; satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) and 1 Inmarsat; analog and digital links to Kenya and Tanzania (2015)

Telephones - fixed lines

total subscriptions: 328,811 | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 1 (July 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 114

Telephones - mobile cellular

total: 20.22 million | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 54 (July 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 57

Agriculture - products

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

Budget

revenues: $3.415 billion | expenditures: $4.446 billion (2015 est.)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-4.2% of GDP (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 145

Central bank discount rate

14% (December 2014) | 17% (30 March 2016) | country comparison to the world: 13

Commercial bank prime lending rate

22.6% (31 December 2015 est.) | 21.58% (31 December 2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 12

Current account balance

-$2.193 billion (2015 est.) | -$2.625 billion (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 154

Debt - external

$5.649 billion (31 December 2015 est.) | $5.135 billion (31 December 2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 125

Distribution of family income - Gini index

39.5 (2013) | 45.7 (2002) | country comparison to the world: 66

Economy - overview

Uganda has substantial natural resources, including fertile soils, regular rainfall, small deposits of copper, gold, and other minerals, and recently discovered oil. Agriculture is the most important sector of the economy, employing one third of the work force. Coffee accounts for the bulk of export revenues. Uganda’s economy remains predominantly agricultural with a small industrial sector that is dependent on imported inputs like oil and equipment. Overall productivity is hampered by a number of supply-side constraints, including underinvestment in an agricultural sector that continues to rely on rudimentary technology. Industrial growth is impeded by high-costs due to poor infrastructure, low levels of private investment, and the depreciation of the Ugandan shilling. | 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 while encouraging foreign investment to boost 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. | The global economic downturn in 2008 hurt Uganda's exports; however, Uganda's GDP growth has largely recovered due to past reforms and a rapidly growing urban consumer population. Oil revenues and taxes are expected to become a larger source of government funding as production starts in the next five to 10 years. However, lower oil prices since 2014 and protracted negotiations and legal disputes between the Ugandan government and oil companies may prove a stumbling block to further exploration and development. | Uganda faces many challenges. Instability in South Sudan has led to a sharp increase in Sudanese refugees and is disrupting Uganda's main export market. High energy costs, inadequate transportation and energy infrastructure, insufficient budgetary discipline, and corruption inhibit economic development and investor confidence. During 2015 the Uganda shilling depreciated 22% against the dollar, and inflation rose from 3% to 9%, which led to the Bank of Uganda hiking interest rates from 11% to 17%. As a result, inflation remained below double digits; however, trade and capital-intensive industries were negatively impacted. | The budget for FY 2015/16 is dominated by energy and road infrastructure spending, while relying on donor support for long-term economic drivers of growth, including agriculture, health, and education. The largest infrastructure projects are externally financed through low-interest concessional loans. As a result, debt servicing for these loans is expected to rise in 2016/2017 by 22% and consume 15% the domestic budget.

Exchange rates

Ugandan shillings (UGX) per US dollar - | 3,234.1 (2015 est.) | 2,599.8 (2014 est.) | 2,599.8 (2013 est.) | 2,505.6 (2012 est.) | 2,522.8 (2011 est.)

Exports

$2.667 billion (2015 est.) | $2.725 billion (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 131

Exports - commodities

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

Exports - partners

Rwanda 10.7%, UAE 9.9%, Democratic Republic of the Congo 9.8%, Kenya 9.7%, Italy 5.8%, Netherlands 4.8%, Germany 4.7%, China 4.1% (2015)

Fiscal year

1 July - 30 June

GDP (official exchange rate)

$24.74 billion (2015 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$79.88 billion (2015 est.) | $76.05 billion (2014 est.) | $72.48 billion (2013 est.) | note: data are in 2015 US dollars | country comparison to the world: 91

GDP - composition, by end use

household consumption: 70.5% | government consumption: 8.9% | investment in fixed capital: 23.6% | investment in inventories: 7.1% | exports of goods and services: 18% | imports of goods and services: -28.1% (2015 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture: 25.3% | industry: 20.9% | services: 53.8% (2015 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$2,000 (2015 est.) | $2,000 (2014 est.) | $1,900 (2013 est.) | note: data are in 2015 US dollars | country comparison to the world: 202

GDP - real growth rate

5% (2015 est.) | 4.9% (2014 est.) | 4% (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 48

Gross national saving

15% of GDP (2015 est.) | 16.4% of GDP (2014 est.) | 19.9% of GDP (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 117

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 2.4% | highest 10%: 36.1% (2009 est.)

Imports

$4.911 billion (2015 est.) | $5.1 billion (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 124

Imports - commodities

capital equipment, vehicles, petroleum, medical supplies; cereals

Imports - partners

Kenya 16.4%, UAE 15.5%, India 13.4%, China 13.1% (2015)

Industrial production growth rate

6.5% (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 29

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

4% (2015 est.) | 4.3% (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 180

Labor force

18.42 million (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 32

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture: 40% | industry: 10% | services: 50% (2015 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$7.294 billion (31 December 2012 est.) | $7.727 billion (31 December 2011 est.) | $1.788 billion (31 December 2011 est.) | country comparison to the world: 79

Population below poverty line

19.7% (2013 est.)

Public debt

29.6% of GDP (2015 est.) | 27.6% of GDP (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 142

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$2.909 billion (31 December 2015 est.) | $3.316 billion (31 December 2014 est.) | note: excludes gold | country comparison to the world: 105

Stock of broad money

$4.262 billion (31 December 2014 est.) | $3.705 billion (31 December 2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 137

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$NA

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$NA

Stock of domestic credit

$3.973 billion (31 December 2015 est.) | $4.15 billion (31 December 2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 129

Stock of narrow money

$2.043 billion (31 December 2015 est.) | $2.392 billion (31 December 2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 129

Taxes and other revenues

13.8% of GDP (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 202

Unemployment rate

NA% | 9.4% (2013 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

2.7 million Mt (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 145

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 202

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 140

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 202

Crude oil - proved reserves

2.5 billion bbl (2014) | country comparison to the world: 33

Electricity - consumption

2.7 billion kWh (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 137

Electricity - exports

100 million kWh (2014) | country comparison to the world: 82

Electricity - from fossil fuels

21% of total installed capacity (2011 est.) | country comparison to the world: 194

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

59.9% of total installed capacity (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 36

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2011 est.) | country comparison to the world: 198

Electricity - from other renewable sources

19.2% of total installed capacity (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 17

Electricity - imports

50 million kWh (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 101

Electricity - installed generating capacity

711,400 kW (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 132

Electricity - production

3 billion kWh (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 132

Electricity access

population without electricity: 32,100,000 | electrification - total population: 15% | electrification - urban areas: 55% | electrification - rural areas: 7% (2013)

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 204

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 200

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 147

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 140

Natural gas - proved reserves

14.16 billion cu m (1 January 2016 es) | country comparison to the world: 79

Refined petroleum products - consumption

27,000 bbl/day (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 125

Refined petroleum products - exports

0 bbl/day (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 142

Refined petroleum products - imports

26,290 bbl/day (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 106

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 141

Area

total: 241,038 sq km | land: 197,100 sq km | water: 43,938 sq km | country comparison to the world: 81

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

mean elevation: NA | elevation extremes: lowest point: Lake Albert 621 m | highest point: Margherita Peak on Mount Stanley 5,110 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

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

Geographic coordinates

1 00 N, 32 00 E

Geography - note

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

Irrigated land

140 sq km (2012)

Land boundaries

total: 2,729 km | border countries (5): Democratic Republic of the Congo 877 km, Kenya 814 km, Rwanda 172 km, South Sudan 475 km, Tanzania 391 km

Land use

agricultural land: 71.2% | arable land 34.3%; permanent crops 11.3%; permanent pasture 25.6% | forest: 14.5% | other: 14.3% (2011 est.)

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

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, Buliisa, 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, Kibaale, 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, Mitooma, 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; note - four new districts, Kagadi, Kakumiro, Omoro, and Rubanda, have been reported, but not yet vetted by the US Board on Geographic Names

Capital

name: Kampala | geographic coordinates: 0 19 N, 32 33 E | time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Citizenship

citizenship by birth: no | citizenship by descent only: at least one parent or grandparent must be a native-born citizen of Uganda | dual citizenship recognized: yes | residency requirement for naturalization: an aggregate of 20 years and continuously for the last 2 years prior to applying for citizenship

Constitution

several previous; latest adopted 27 September 1995, promulgated 8 October 1995; amended many times, last in 2015 (2016)

Country name

conventional long form: Republic of Uganda | conventional short form: Uganda | etymology: from the Swahili "Buganda," adopted by the British as the name for their East African colony in 1894; Buganda had been a powerful East African state during the 18th and 19th centuries

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambsssador Deborah R. MALAC (since 27 February 2016) | embassy: 1577 Ggaba Road, Kampala | mailing address: P.O. Box 7007, Kampala | telephone: [256] (414) 259 791 through 93, 95 | FAX: [256] (414) 259-794

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Oliver WONEKHA (since 6 June 2013) | chancery: 5911 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20011 | telephone: [1] (202) 726-7100 through 7102, 0416 | FAX: [1] (202) 726-1727

Executive branch

chief of state: President 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 | head of government: President Yoweri Kaguta MUSEVENI (since seizing power on 26 January 1986); Vice President Edward SSEKANDI (since 24 May 2011); Prime Minister Ruhakana RUGUNDA (since 19 September 2014); First Deputy Prime Minister Moses ALI (since 6 June 2016); Second Deputy Prime Minister Kirunda KIVEJINJA (since 6 June 2016); Third Deputy Prime Minister Kirunda KIVEJINJA (since 6 June 2016) | cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president from among elected members of the National Assembly or persons who qualify to be elected as members of the National Assembly | elections/appointments: president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (no term limit); election last held on 18 February 2016 (next to be held in February 2021) | election results: Yoweri Kaguta MUSEVENI reelected president; percent of vote - Yoweri Kaguta MUSEVENI (NRM) 60.6%, Kizza BESIGYE (FDC) 35.6%, other 3.8%

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

presidential republic

Independence

9 October 1962 (from the UK)

International law organization participation

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation

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

Judicial branch

highest court(s): Supreme Court of Uganda (consists of the chief justice and at least 10 justices) | judge selection and term of office: justices appointed by the president of the republic in consultation with the Judicial Service Commission (a 9-member independent advisory body) and approved by 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 12 High Court Circuits and 8 High Court Divisions); Industrial Court; Chief Magistrate Grade One and Grade Two Courts throughout the country; qadhis courts ; local council courts; family and children courts

Legal system

mixed legal system of English common law and customary law

Legislative branch

description: unicameral National Assembly or Parliament (427 seats; 290 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote, 112 for women directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote, and 25 "representatives" reserved for special interest groups - army 10, disabled 5, youth 5, labor 5; there are 13 ex-officio members appointed by the president; members serve 5-year terms) | elections: last held on 18 February 2016 (next to be held in February 2021) | election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA

National anthem

name: "Oh Uganda, Land of Beauty!" | lyrics/music: George Wilberforce KAKOMOA | note: adopted 1962

National holiday

Independence Day, 9 October (1962)

National symbol(s)

grey crowned crane; national colors: black, yellow, red

Political parties and leaders

Conservative Party or CP [Ken LUKYAMUZI] | Democratic Party or DP [Norbert MAO] | Forum for Democratic Change or FDC [Mugisha MUNTU] | Justice Forum or JEEMA [Asuman BASALIRWA] | National Resistance Movement or NRM [Yoweri MUSEVENI] | Ugandan People's Congress or UPC [Olara OTUNNU]

Political pressure groups and leaders

National Association of Women Organizations in Uganda or NAWOU [Florence NEKYON] | Parliamentary Advocacy Forum or PAFO | Ugandan Coalition for Political Accountability to Women or COPAW

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

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 complicated 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 and lifted presidential term limits.

Military branches

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

Military expenditures

2.2% of GDP (2013) | 1.45% of GDP (2012) | 3.73% of GDP (2011) | 1.45% of GDP (2010) | country comparison to the world: 67

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)

Age structure

0-14 years: 48.26% (male 9,223,926/female 9,268,714) | 15-24 years: 21.13% (male 4,010,464/female 4,087,350) | 25-54 years: 26.1% (male 5,005,264/female 4,997,907) | 55-64 years: 2.5% (male 460,000/female 496,399) | 65 years and over: 2.01% (male 337,787/female 431,430) (2016 est.)

Birth rate

43.4 births/1,000 population (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 3

Child labor - children ages 5-14

total number: 117,266 | percentage: 25% | note: data represent children ages 5-17 (2010 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

14.1% (2011) | country comparison to the world: 51

Contraceptive prevalence rate

30% (2011)

Death rate

10.4 deaths/1,000 population (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 36

Demographic profile

Uganda has one of the youngest and most rapidly growing populations in the world; its total fertility rate is among the world’s highest at 5.8 children per woman. Except in urban areas, actual fertility exceeds women’s desired fertility by one or two children, which is indicative of the widespread unmet need for contraception, lack of government support for family planning, and a cultural preference for large families. High numbers of births, short birth intervals, and the early age of childbearing contribute to Uganda’s high maternal mortality rate. Gender inequities also make fertility reduction difficult; women on average are less-educated, participate less in paid employment, and often have little say in decisions over childbearing and their own reproductive health. However, even if the birth rate were significantly reduced, Uganda’s large pool of women entering reproductive age ensures rapid population growth for decades to come. | Unchecked, population increase will further strain the availability of arable land and natural resources and overwhelm the country’s limited means for providing food, employment, education, health care, housing, and basic services. The country’s north and northeast lag even further behind developmentally than the rest of the country as a result of long-term conflict (the Ugandan Bush War 1981-1986 and more than 20 years of fighting between the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) and Ugandan Government forces), ongoing inter-communal violence, and periodic natural disasters. | Uganda has been both a source of refugees and migrants and a host country for refugees. In 1972, then President Idi AMIN, in his drive to return Uganda to Ugandans, expelled the South Asian population that composed a large share of the country’s businesspeople and bankers. Since the 1970s, thousands of Ugandans have emigrated, mainly to southern Africa or the West, for security reasons, to escape poverty, to search for jobs, and for access to natural resources. The emigration of Ugandan doctors and nurses due to low wages is a particular concern given the country’s shortage of skilled health care workers. Africans escaping conflicts in neighboring states have found refuge in Uganda since the 1950s; the country currently struggles to host tens of thousands from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Sudan, and other nearby countries.

Dependency ratios

total dependency ratio: 102.3% | youth dependency ratio: 97.3% | elderly dependency ratio: 5% | potential support ratio: 19.9% (2015 est.)

Drinking water source

urban: 95.5% of population | rural: 75.8% of population | total: 79% of population | urban: 4.5% of population | rural: 24.2% of population | total: 21% of population (2015 est.)

Education expenditures

2.2% of GDP (2013) | country comparison to the world: 131

Ethnic groups

Baganda 16.5%, Banyankole 9.6%, Basoga 8.8%, Bakiga 7.1%, Iteso 7%, Langi 6.3%, Bagisu 4.9%, Acholi 4.4%, Lugbara 3.3%, other 32.1% (2014 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

7.07% (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 10

HIV/AIDS - deaths

28,200 (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 10

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

1,461,700 (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 7

Health expenditures

7.2% of GDP (2014) | country comparison to the world: 58

Hospital bed density

0.5 beds/1,000 population (2010)

Infant mortality rate

total: 57.6 deaths/1,000 live births | male: 66.7 deaths/1,000 live births | female: 48.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 21

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

total population: 55.4 years | male: 54 years | female: 56.9 years (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 212

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write | total population: 78.4% | male: 85.3% | female: 71.5% (2015 est.)

Major infectious diseases

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 | animal contact disease: rabies (2016)

Major urban areas - population

KAMPALA (capital) 1.936 million (2015)

Maternal mortality rate

343 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 37

Median age

total: 15.7 years | male: 15.6 years | female: 15.8 years (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 228

Mother's mean age at first birth

18.9 | note: median age at first birth among women 25-29 (2011 est.)

Nationality

noun: Ugandan(s) | adjective: Ugandan

Net migration rate

-0.7 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 135

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

3.9% (2014) | country comparison to the world: 167

Physicians density

0.12 physicians/1,000 population (2005)

Population

38,319,241 | note: 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 (July 2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 36

Population growth rate

3.22% (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 5

Religions

Protestant 45.1% (Anglican 32.0%, Pentecostal/Born Again/Evangelical 11.1%, Seventh Day Adventist 1.7%, Baptist .3%), Roman Catholic 39.3%, Muslim 13.7%, other 1.6%, none 0.2% (2014 est.)

Sanitation facility access

urban: 28.5% of population | rural: 17.3% of population | total: 19.1% of population | urban: 71.5% of population | rural: 82.7% of population | total: 80.9% of population (2015 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 10 years | male: 10 years | female: 10 years (2011)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female | 0-14 years: 1 male(s)/female | 15-24 years: 0.98 male(s)/female | 25-54 years: 1 male(s)/female | 55-64 years: 0.93 male(s)/female | 65 years and over: 0.79 male(s)/female | total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

Total fertility rate

5.8 children born/woman (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 5

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

total: 2.6% | male: 2% | female: 3.2% (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 125

Urbanization

urban population: 16.1% of total population (2015) | rate of urbanization: 5.43% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

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

refugees (country of origin): 564,440 (South Sudan) (refugees and asylum seekers); 222,650 (Democratic Republic of the Congo); 41,167 (Burundi); 29,292 (Somalia); 15,226 (Rwanda) (2016) | IDPs: 30,000 (displaced 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; intercommunal violence and cattle raids) (2015)

Airports

47 (2013) | country comparison to the world: 93

Airports - with paved runways

total: 5 | over 3,047 m: 3 | 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 | 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2013)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total: 42 | over 3,047 m: 1 | 1,524 to 2,437 m: 8 | 914 to 1,523 m: 26 | under 914 m: 7 (2013)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

5X (2016)

National air transport system

number of registered air carriers: 1 | inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 1 | annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 41,812 | annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 23,472 mt-km (2015)

Ports and terminals

lake port(s): Entebbe, Jinja, Port Bell (Lake Victoria)

Railways

total: 1,244 km | narrow gauge: 1,244 km 1.000-m gauge (2014) | country comparison to the world: 83

Roadways

total: 20,000 km (excludes local roads) | paved: 3,264 km | unpaved: 16,736 km (2011) | country comparison to the world: 109

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)