Uganda achieved independence from the UK 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 another 100 000 lives. During the 1990s the government promulgated non-party presidential and legislative elections. President Lt. Gen. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni seized power in January 1986.

The country of 236 040 sq km is located in Eastern Africa, and borders on Kenya, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Sudan and Tanzania. The capital is Kampala.

Uganda has substantial natural resources, including fertile soils, regular rainfall, and sizeable mineral deposits of copper and cobalt. Agriculture is the most important sector of the economy, employing over 80% of the work force.

Coffee is the major export crop and 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 stabilise the economy by undertaking currency reform, raising producer prices on export crops, increasing prices of petroleum products, and improving civil service wages.

Ongoing Ugandan involvement in the 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.

Source: CIA World Factbook

What is this? Yahoo Digg Del.icio.us Facebook Brought to you by OUTsurance Car Insurance
	News24 Headlines on your Facebook profile		News24 on mobile