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Communications

Broadband - fixed subscriptions [time series]

total: 9,485 | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: less than 1 (2018 est.)

Broadcast media [time series]

public broadcaster, Uganda Broadcasting Corporation (UBC), operates radio and TV networks; 31 Free-To-Air (FTA) TV stations, 2 digital terrestrial TV stations, 3 cable TV stations, and 5 digital satellite TV stations; 258 operational FM stations

Internet country code [time series]

.ug

Internet users [time series]

total: 9,620,681 | percent of population: 23.71% (July 2018 est.)

Telecommunication systems [time series]

general assessment: in recent years, telecommunications infrastructure has developed through private partnerships; as of 2018, fixed fiber backbone infrastructure is available in over half of Uganda’s districts; mobile phone companies now provide 4G networks across all major cities and national parks, while offering 3G coverage in second-tier cities and most rural areas with road access; between 2016 and 2018, commercial Internet services dropped in price from $300/Mbps to $80/Mbps; consumers rely on mobile infrastructure to provide voice and broadband services as fixed-line infrastructure is poor; 5G migration is a few years off; govt. commissions broadband satellite services for rural areas (2020) | domestic: fixed-line 1 per 100 and mobile- cellular systems teledensity about 57 per 100 persons; intercity traffic by wire, microwave radio relay, and radiotelephone communication stations (2019) | international: country code - 256; satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) and 1 Inmarsat; analog and digital links to Kenya and Tanzania | note: the COVID-19 outbreak is negatively impacting telecommunications production and supply chains globally; consumer spending on telecom devices and services has also slowed due to the pandemic's effect on economies worldwide; overall progress towards improvements in all facets of the telecom industry - mobile, fixed-line, broadband, submarine cable and satellite - has moderated

Telephones - fixed lines [time series]

total subscriptions: 184,065 | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: less than 1 (2019 est.)

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

total subscriptions: 23,957,740 | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 57.27 (2019 est.)

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

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

Budget [time series]

revenues: 3.848 billion (2017 est.) | expenditures: 4.928 billion (2017 est.)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-) [time series]

-4.1% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Credit ratings [time series]

Fitch rating: B+ (2015) | Moody's rating: B2 (2016) | Standard & Poors rating: B (2014)

Current account balance [time series]

-$1.212 billion (2017 est.) | -$707 million (2016 est.)

Debt - external [time series]

$10.8 billion (22 March 2018 est.) | $11.54 billion (31 December 2017 est.) | $6.241 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

Ease of Doing Business Index scores [time series]

66.7 (2020)

Economic overview [time series]

Uganda has substantial natural resources, including fertile soils, regular rainfall, substantial reserves of recoverable oil, and small deposits of copper, gold, and other minerals. Agriculture is one of the most important sectors of the economy, employing 72% of the work force. The country’s export market suffered a major slump following the outbreak of conflict in South Sudan, but has recovered lately, largely due to record coffee harvests, which account for 16% of exports, and increasing gold exports, which account for 10% of exports. Uganda has a small industrial sector that is dependent on imported inputs such as refined oil and heavy equipment. Overall, productivity is hampered by a number of supply-side constraints, including insufficient infrastructure, lack of modern technology in agriculture, and corruption. Uganda’s economic growth has slowed since 2016 as government spending and public debt has grown. Uganda’s budget is dominated by energy and road infrastructure spending, while Uganda relies on donor support for long-term drivers of growth, including agriculture, health, and education. The largest infrastructure projects are externally financed through concessional loans, but at inflated costs. As a result, debt servicing for these loans is expected to rise. Oil revenues and taxes are expected to become a larger source of government funding as oil production starts in the next three to 10 years. Over the next three to five years, foreign investors are planning to invest $9 billion in production facilities projects, $4 billion in an export pipeline, as well as in a $2-3 billion refinery to produce petroleum products for the domestic and East African Community markets. Furthermore, the government is looking to build several hundred million dollars’ worth of highway projects to the oil region. Uganda faces many economic challenges. Instability in South Sudan has led to a sharp increase in Sudanese refugees and is disrupting Uganda's main export market. Additional economic risks include: poor economic management, endemic corruption, and the government’s failure to invest adequately in the health, education, and economic opportunities for a burgeoning young population. Uganda has one of the lowest electrification rates in Africa - only 22% of Ugandans have access to electricity, dropping to 10% in rural areas.

Exchange rates [time series]

Ugandan shillings (UGX) per US dollar - | 3,680 (2020 est.) | 3,685 (2019 est.) | 3,735 (2018 est.) | 3,234.1 (2014 est.) | 2,599.8 (2013 est.)

Exports [time series]

$7.686 billion (2019 est.) | $6.511 billion (2018 est.) | $5.958 billion (2017 est.)

Exports - commodities [time series]

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

Exports - partners [time series]

Kenya 17.7%, UAE 16.7%, Democratic Republic of the Congo 6.6%, Rwanda 6.1%, Italy 4.8% (2017)

Fiscal year [time series]

1 July - 30 June

GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]

$34.683 billion (2019 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP (purchasing power parity) - real) [time series]

$89.19 billion (2017 est.) | $85.07 billion (2016 est.) | $83.14 billion (2015 est.) | note: data are in 2017 dollars

GDP - composition, by end use [time series]

household consumption: 74.3% (2017 est.) | government consumption: 8% (2017 est.) | investment in fixed capital: 23.9% (2017 est.) | investment in inventories: 0.3% (2017 est.) | exports of goods and services: 18.8% (2017 est.) | imports of goods and services: -25.1% (2017 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin [time series]

agriculture: 28.2% (2017 est.) | industry: 21.1% (2017 est.) | services: 50.7% (2017 est.)

Real GDP per capita (GDP - per capita (PPP)) [time series]

$2,400 (2017 est.) | $2,300 (2016 est.) | $2,300 (2015 est.) | note: data are in 2017 dollars

Real GDP growth rate (GDP real growth rate) [time series]

4.8% (2017 est.) | 2.3% (2016 est.) | 5.7% (2015 est.)

Gross national saving [time series]

20.6% of GDP (2017 est.) | 21.5% of GDP (2016 est.) | 17.7% of GDP (2015 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

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

Imports [time series]

$9.991 billion (2019 est.) | $8.006 billion (2018 est.) | $7.44 billion (2017 est.)

Imports - commodities [time series]

capital equipment, vehicles, petroleum, medical supplies; cereals

Imports - partners [time series]

China 17.4%, India 13.4%, UAE 12.2%, Kenya 7.9%, Japan 6.4%, Saudi Arabia 6.3%, Indonesia 4.4%, South Africa 4.1% (2017)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

4.4% (2017 est.)

Industries [time series]

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

2.8% (2019 est.) | 2.6% (2018 est.) | 5.6% (2017 est.)

Labor force [time series]

15.84 million (2015 est.)

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

agriculture: 71% | industry: 7% | services: 22% (2013 est.)

Population below poverty line [time series]

21.4% (2017 est.)

Public debt [time series]

40% of GDP (2017 est.) | 37.4% of GDP (2016 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold [time series]

$3.654 billion (31 December 2017 est.) | $3.034 billion (31 December 2016 est.) | note: excludes gold

Taxes and other revenues [time series]

14.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Unemployment rate [time series]

9.4% (2014 est.)

Energy

Carbon dioxide emissions (Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy) [time series]

4.703 million Mt (2017 est.)

Crude oil - exports [time series]

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Crude oil - imports [time series]

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Crude oil - production [time series]

0 bbl/day (2018 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves [time series]

2.5 billion bbl (1 January 2018 est.)

Electricity - consumption [time series]

3.106 billion kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - exports [time series]

121 million kWh (2015 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels [time series]

19% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants [time series]

68% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels [time series]

0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources [time series]

12% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

Electricity - imports [time series]

50 million kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity [time series]

1.02 million kW (2016 est.)

Electricity - production [time series]

3.463 billion kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity access [time series]

population without electricity: 32 million (2019) | electrification - total population: 29% (2019) | electrification - urban areas: 66% (2019) | electrification - rural areas: 17% (2019)

Natural gas - consumption [time series]

0 cu m (2017 est.)

Natural gas - exports [time series]

0 cu m (2017 est.)

Natural gas - imports [time series]

0 cu m (2017 est.)

Natural gas - production [time series]

0 cu m (2017 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]

14.16 billion cu m (1 January 2018 est.)

Refined petroleum products - consumption [time series]

32,000 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports [time series]

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports [time series]

31,490 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production [time series]

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 241,038 sq km | land: 197,100 sq km | water: 43,938 sq km

Area - comparative [time series]

slightly more than two times the size of Pennsylvania; slightly smaller than Oregon | Area comparison map: The World Factbook Field Image Modal × Africa :: Uganda Print Image Description slightly more than two times the size of Pennsylvania; slightly smaller than Oregon

Climate [time series]

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

Coastline [time series]

0 km (landlocked)

Elevation [time series]

lowest point: Albert Nile 614 m | highest point: Margherita Peak on Mount Stanley 5,110 m

Environment - current issues [time series]

draining of wetlands for agricultural use; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; water pollution from industrial discharge and water hyacinth infestation in Lake Victoria; widespread poaching

International environmental agreements (Environment - international agreements) [time series]

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 [time series]

1 00 N, 32 00 E

Geography - note [time series]

landlocked; fertile, well-watered country with many lakes and rivers; Lake Victoria, the world's largest tropical lake and the second largest fresh water lake, is shared among three countries: Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda

Irrigated land [time series]

140 sq km (2012)

Land boundaries [time series]

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 [time series]

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

Location [time series]

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

Map references [time series]

Africa

Maritime claims [time series]

none (landlocked)

Natural hazards [time series]

droughts; floods; earthquakes; landslides; hailstorms

Natural resources [time series]

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

Population distribution [time series]

population density is relatively high in comparison to other African nations; most of the population is concentrated in the central and southern parts of the country, particularly along the shores of Lake Victoria and Lake Albert; the northeast is least populated as shown in this population distribution map

Terrain [time series]

mostly plateau with rim of mountains

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

134 districts and 1 capital city*; Abim, Adjumani, Agago, Alebtong, Amolatar, Amudat, Amuria, Amuru, Apac, Arua, Budaka, Bududa, Bugiri, Bugweri, Buhweju, Buikwe, Bukedea, Bukomansimbi, Bukwo, Bulambuli, Buliisa, Bundibugyo, Bunyangabu, Bushenyi, Busia, Butaleja, Butambala, Butebo, Buvuma, Buyende, Dokolo, Gomba, Gulu, Hoima, Ibanda, Iganga, Isingiro, Jinja, Kaabong, Kabale, Kabarole, Kaberamaido, Kagadi, Kakumiro, Kalaki, Kalangala, Kaliro, Kalungu, Kampala*, Kamuli, Kamwenge, Kanungu, Kapchorwa, Kapelebyong, Karenga, Kasese, Kasanda, Katakwi, Kayunga, Kazo, Kibaale, Kiboga, Kibuku, Kikuube, Kiruhura, Kiryandongo, Kisoro, Kitagwenda, Kitgum, Koboko, Kole, Kotido, Kumi, Kwania, Kween, Kyankwanzi, Kyegegwa, Kyenjojo, Kyotera, Lamwo, Lira, Luuka, Luwero, Lwengo, Lyantonde, Madi-Okollo, Manafwa, Maracha, Masaka, Masindi, Mayuge, Mbale, Mbarara, Mitooma, Mityana, Moroto, Moyo, Mpigi, Mubende, Mukono, Nabilatuk, Nakapiripirit, Nakaseke, Nakasongola, Namayingo, Namisindwa, Namutumba, Napak, Nebbi, Ngora, Ntoroko, Ntungamo, Nwoya, Obongi, Omoro, Otuke, Oyam, Pader, Pakwach, Pallisa, Rakai, Rubanda, Rubirizi, Rukiga, Rukungiri, Rwampara, Sembabule, Serere, Sheema, Sironko, Soroti, Tororo, Wakiso, Yumbe, Zombo

Capital [time series]

name: Kampala | geographic coordinates: 0 19 N, 32 33 E | time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) | etymology: the site of the original British settlement was referred to by its native name as Akasozi ke'Empala ("hill of the impala" [plural]); over time this designation was shortened to K'empala and finally Kampala

Citizenship [time series]

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 [time series]

history: several previous; latest adopted 27 September 1995, promulgated 8 October 1995 | amendments: proposed by the National Assembly; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote of the Assembly membership in the second and third readings; proposals affecting "entrenched clauses," including the sovereignty of the people, supremacy of the constitution, human rights and freedoms, the democratic and multiparty form of government, presidential term of office, independence of the judiciary, and the institutions of traditional or cultural leaders, also requires passage by referendum, ratification by at least two-thirds majority vote of district council members in at least two thirds of Uganda's districts, and assent ofthe president of the republic; amended several times, last in 2017

Country name [time series]

conventional long form: Republic of Uganda | conventional short form: Uganda | etymology: from the name "Buganda," adopted by the British as the designation 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 [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Natalie E. BROWN (since 17 November 2020) | telephone: (256)-414-259791 | embassy: 1577 Ggaba Road, Kampala | mailing address: P.O. Box 7007, Kampala | FAX: [256] 414-306-009

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Mull Sebujja KATENDE (since 8 September 2017) | chancery: 5911 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20011 | telephone: [1] (202) 726-7100 | FAX: [1] (202) 726-1727

Executive branch [time series]

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) | 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 limits); election last held on 18 February 2016 (next scheduled to be held February 2021) | election results: Yoweri Kaguta MUSEVENI reelected president in the first round; percent of vote - Yoweri Kaguta MUSEVENI (NRM) 60.6%, Kizza BESIGYE (FDC) 35.6%, other 3.8% | head 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 head of state and head of government

Flag (Flag description) [time series]

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 [time series]

presidential republic

Independence [time series]

9 October 1962 (from the UK)

International law organization participation [time series]

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation [time series]

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 [time series]

highest courts: Supreme Court of Uganda (consists of the chief justice and at least 6 justices) | judge selection and term of office: justices appointed by the president of the republic in consultation with the Judicial Service Commission, an 8-member independent advisory body, and approved by the National Assembly; justices serve until mandatory retirement at age 70 | subordinate courts: Court of Appeal (also acts 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 [time series]

mixed legal system of English common law and customary law

Legislative branch [time series]

description: unicameral National Assembly or Parliament (445 seats; 290 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote, 112 for women directly elected in single-seat districts by simple majority vote, and 25 "representatives" reserved for special interest groups - army 10, disabled 5, youth 5, labor 5; up to 18 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 - NRM 292, FDC 37, DP 5, UPDF 10, UPC 6, independent 66 (excludes 19 ex-officio members)

National anthem(s) (National anthem) [time series]

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

National holiday [time series]

Independence Day, 9 October (1962)

National symbol(s) [time series]

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

Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]

Alliance for National Transformation or ANT [Ms. Alice ALASO, acting national coordinator]; note - Mugisha MUNTU resigned his position as ANT national coordinator in late June 2020 to run in the 2021 presidential election Activist Party [Stephen BAMPIGGA] Democratic Party or DP [Norbert MAO] Conservative Party [Walyemera Daniel MASUMBA] Forum for Democratic Change or FDC [Patrick Oboi AMURIAT] Justice Forum or JEEMA [Asuman BASALIRWA] National Resistance Movement or NRM [Yoweri MUSEVENI] Uganda People's Congress or UPC [James AKENA] National Unity Platform [Nkonge KIBALAMA]

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal

Introduction

Background [time series]

British influence in Uganda began in the 1860s with explorers seeking the source of the Nile and expanded in subsequent decades with various trade agreements and the establishment of the Uganda Protectorate in 1894. 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. In December 2017, parliament approved the removal of presidential age limits, thereby making it possible for MUSEVENI to continue standing for office. Uganda faces numerous challenges, however, that could affect future stability, including explosive population growth, power and infrastructure constraints, corruption, underdeveloped democratic institutions, and human rights deficits.

Military and Security

Military and security forces [time series]

Uganda People's Defense Force (UPDF): Land Forces, Air Forces, Marine Forces, Special Operations Command, Reserve Force (2019)

Military and security service personnel strengths [time series]

size estimates for the Uganda People's Defense Force (UPDF) vary; approximately 50,000 troops, including about 1,000 air and marine personnel (2019 est.)

Military deployments [time series]

6,200 Somalia (AMISOM); 620 Somalia (UNSOM); 250 Equatorial Guinea (2020)

Military equipment inventories and acquisitions [time series]

the UPDF's inventory is mostly older Russian/Soviet-era equipment with a limited mix of more modern Russian- and Western-origin arms; since 2010, the leading suppliers of arms to the UPDF are Russia and Ukraine (2019)

Military expenditures [time series]

2.1% of GDP (2019) | 1.4% of GDP (2018) | 1.3% of GDP (2017) | 1.3% of GDP (2016) | 1.2% of GDP (2015)

Military service age and obligation [time series]

18-25 years of age for voluntary military duty (must be single, no children); 9-year service obligation (2019)

People and Society

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 48.21% (male 10,548,913/female 10,304,876) | 15-24 years: 20.25% (male 4,236,231/female 4,521,698) | 25-54 years: 26.24% (male 5,202,570/female 6,147,304) | 55-64 years: 2.91% (male 579,110/female 681,052) | 65 years and over: 2.38% (male 442,159/female 589,053) (2020 est.) | population pyramid: The World Factbook Field Image Modal × Africa :: Uganda Print Image Description This is the population pyramid for Uganda. A population pyramid illustrates the age and sex structure of a country's population and may provide insights about political and social stability, as well as economic development. The population is distributed along the horizontal axis, with males shown on the left and females on the right. The male and female populations are broken down into 5-year age groups represented as horizontal bars along the vertical axis, with the youngest age groups at the bottom and the oldest at the top. The shape of the population pyramid gradually evolves over time based on fertility, mortality, and international migration trends. For additional information, please see the entry for Population pyramid on the Definitions and Notes page under the References tab.

Birth rate [time series]

42.3 births/1,000 population (2020 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight [time series]

10.4% (2016)

Contraceptive prevalence rate [time series]

41.8% (2018)

Current health expenditure (Current Health Expenditure) [time series]

6.3% (2017)

Death rate [time series]

5.3 deaths/1,000 population (2020 est.)

Demographic profile [time series]

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 business people 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 [time series]

total dependency ratio: 92.3 | youth dependency ratio: 88.5 | elderly dependency ratio: 3.8 | potential support ratio: 26.2 (2020 est.)

Drinking water source [time series]

Education expenditure (Education expenditures) [time series]

2.1% of GDP (2018)

Ethnic groups [time series]

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 [time series]

6.1% (2019 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

21,000 (2019 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS [time series]

1.5 million (2019 est.)

Hospital bed density [time series]

0.5 beds/1,000 population (2010)

Infant mortality rate [time series]

total: 32.6 deaths/1,000 live births | male: 36.1 deaths/1,000 live births | female: 28.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2020 est.)

Languages [time series]

English (official language, taught in 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 and the language used most often in the capital), other Niger-Congo languages, Nilo-Saharan languages, Swahili (official), Arabic

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 68.2 years | male: 66 years | female: 70.5 years (2020 est.)

Literacy [time series]

definition: age 15 and over can read and write | total population: 76.5% | male: 82.7% | female: 70.8% (2018)

Major infectious diseases [time series]

degree of risk: very high (2020) | 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 diseases: schistosomiasis | animal contact diseases: rabies

Major urban areas - population [time series]

3.298 million KAMPALA (capital) (2020)

Maternal mortality ratio (Maternal mortality rate) [time series]

375 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)

Median age [time series]

total: 15.7 years | male: 14.9 years | female: 16.5 years (2020 est.)

Mother's mean age at first birth [time series]

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

Nationality [time series]

noun: Ugandan(s) | adjective: Ugandan

Net migration rate [time series]

-3.5 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2020 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate [time series]

5.3% (2016)

Physician density (Physicians density) [time series]

0.17 physicians/1,000 population (2017)

Population [time series]

43,252,966 (July 2020 est.) | 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

Population distribution [time series]

Population growth rate [time series]

3.34% (2020 est.)

Religions [time series]

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 [time series]

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) [time series]

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

Sex ratio [time series]

Total fertility rate [time series]

5.54 children born/woman (2020 est.)

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) (Unemployment, youth ages 15-24) [time series]

total: 14.8% | male: 12.7% | female: 17.3% (2017 est.)

Urbanization [time series]

urban population: 25% of total population (2020) | rate of urbanization: 5.7% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.) | total population growth rate v. urban population growth rate, 2000-2030: PDF

Terrorism

Terrorist group(s) [time series]

al-Shabaab; Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham - Central Africa (2020) | note: details about the history, aims, leadership, organization, areas of operation, tactics, targets, weapons, size, and sources of support of the group(s) appear(s) in Appendix-T

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international [time series]

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 [time series]

refugees (country of origin): 887,832 (South Sudan) (refugees and asylum seekers), 418,369 (Democratic Republic of the Congo) (refugees and asylum seekers), 49,554 (Burundi), 43,371 (Somalia) (refugees and asylum seekers), 17,239 (Rwanda) (refugees and asylum seekers), 14,865 (Eritrea) (refugees and asylum seekers) (2020) | IDPs: 32,000 (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, land disputes, and cattle raids) (2019)

Transportation

Airports [time series]

47 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 5 (2019) | over 3,047 m: 3 | 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 | 914 to 1,523 m: 1

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

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

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix [time series]

5X (2016)

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 1 | by type: bulk carrier 1 (2019)

National air transport system [time series]

number of registered air carriers: 6 (2020) | inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 26 | annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 21,537 (2018)

Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]

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

Railways [time series]

total: 1,244 km (2014) | narrow gauge: 1,244 km 1.000-m gauge (2014)

Roadways [time series]

total: 20,544 km (excludes local roads) (2017) | paved: 4,257 km (2017) | unpaved: 16,287 km (2017)

Waterways [time series]

(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)