Uganda Online - Country Profile

COUNTRY PROFILE:

Since the late 1980s Uganda has rebounded from the abyss of civil war and economic catastrophe to become a model of relative peace, stability and even some prosperity

In the 1970s and 1980s Uganda was notorious for its human rights abuses, first during the military dictatorship of Idi Amin from 1971 to 1979 and then after the return to power of Milton Obote, who had been ousted by Amin. During this time up to half a million people were killed in state-sponsored violence.

OVERVIEW.

However, since becoming president in 1986 Yoweri Museveni has introduced democratic reforms and has been credited for substantially improving the country's human rights record, notably by reducing abuses by the army and the police.

In addition, Mr Museveni introduced Western-backed economic reforms which produced solid annual growth and falls in inflation in the 1990s.

In 2003 Mr Museveni proposed that a 17-year ban on multiparty politics should be lifted, subject to a referendum.

President Museveni came under criticism for Uganda's military intervention in the civil war in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

At home, he has been unable to end rebel insurgencies in the north and west of the country which have led to the death, kidnapping and displacement of tens of thousands of people.

FACTS

Population: 27.6 million (UN, 2005)

Capital: Kampala

Area: 241,038 sq km (93,072 sq miles)

Major languages: English (official), Swahili, Ganda, various Bantu languages

Major religions: Christianity, Islam

Life expectancy: 45 years (men), 47 years (women) (UN)

Monetary unit: 1 Ugandan shilling = 100 cents

Main exports: Coffee, fish and fish products, tea; tobacco, cotton, corn, beans, sesame

GNI per capita: US $240 (World Bank, 2003)

Internet domain: .ug

International dialling code: +256

LEADERS

President: Yoweri Museveni

Born in 1944, Mr Museveni received his university education in Tanzania. There he became involved with the Front for the Liberation of Mozambique (Frelimo), from whom he learnt the techniques of guerrilla warfare.

After a brief spell in the Ugandan government, Mr Museveni fled to Tanzania in 1971 when Idi Amin toppled Milton Obote, returning in 1980. But when his party was defeated in elections which he said had been rigged, he formed the National Resistance Army which brought him to power in 1986.

Mr Museveni was returned to office in 1996 in Uganda's first direct presidential election, and was re-elected in 2001.

He is regarded as a man with a vision. He is also a man who believes strongly that he has the capacity to lead Uganda.

The force of his convictions is both his strength, as it enables him to get things done, and his weakness, as it has led him to find it increasingly hard to brook opposition.

· Vice president: Gilbert Bukenya

· Prime minister: Apolo Nsimbambi

MEDIA

Uganda has seen a mushrooming of independent FM radio and television stations since the government loosened its control of the media in 1993.

The government occasionally voices unhappiness about the conduct of some the 100-or-so private radio and TV stations. Some have been accused of raising ethnic tensions, others of dwelling on "bed matters".

State-owned Uganda Radio broadcasts throughout the country in English and several vernacular languages. BBC World Service is widely available on FM, and Radio France Internationale operates on FM in Kampala.

Although the print media are led by the state-owned New Vision newspaper, it enjoys considerable independence and often publishes articles which are anti-government.

The press

New Vision - state-owned daily, as are its sister vernacular papers, Bukedde, Etop, Rupiny and Orumiri

The Monitor - privately-owned daily

Television

Uganda Television - state owned

Wavahmuno Broadcasting Service (WBS) - commercial

Channel Television - commercial

Radio

Radio Uganda - state-owned, operates five stations including commercial Star FM

Radio Simba - private FM station

Capital Radio - private FM station

Radio Monitor - private, affiliated to Monitor newspaper