Uganda has a population of about 27.4 million people (2006 estimate) with a population growth rate of 3.4%, one of the highest in Sub Saharan Africa.

Under the leadership of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni the country is governed by multiparty system and is divided into approximately 80 districts (50 districts in 2002). The districts are sub divided into lower administrative units. These are counties, sub counties, parishes and villages or Local Council (LC1). Through the Decentralization Policy Framework, substantial powers, functions and responsibilities have been devolved to Local Governments, with the objective of improving the delivery of services and ultimately the quality of life of the people.

Uganda’s population is made up of different ethnic groups with varying customs and norms. The cultural groupings, such as Baganda, Basoga and Itesot are headed by traditional kings or chiefs, who are not politically elected but have an indirect role in community governance and moral build up.

The country’s main religions are: Roman Catholic (45%), Protestant (35%), Muslim (10%), indigenous beliefs and others (10%).

The economy has continued to register impressive growth rates by many developing country standards. The economy of Uganda is primarily based on the agricultural sector, with over 70% of the working population being employed by this sector. Agriculture exports account for over 45% of the total export earnings with coffee, tobacco and fish continuing to be the main export commodities that bring in foreign exchange. The economy’s GDP growth rate has been on average 5% per annum in the past few years and inflation has also been maintained at 5% per annum. Percentage of Ugandans living below the poverty line has decreased consistently over time, from 56% in 1992 to 31% in 2006. However, the prolonged conflict in Northern Uganda has led to regional disparity in poverty levels. Uganda has also made significant progress in increasing school enrolment, reducing the gender gap in schools and improving levels of literacy.

Uganda, however, also faces several challenges that undermine poverty eradication efforts such as the high growth rate of the population (3.2%), high underemployment, poor health indicators with maternal and infant mortality recorded at 435 per 100,000 and 76 per 1,000, respectively. The gross domestic savings ratio is extremely low at about 10% in 2004/5, and donor dependence remains significantly high with grants accounting for over 30% of total government expenditure.

Policies and Programmes

The Poverty Eradication Action Plan (PEAP) is Uganda’s main policy document which aims to: (i) enable sustainable growth in the incomes of the poor; (ii) increase productivity and competitiveness of the economy; (iii) restore security, resolve conflicts and improve regional equity; (iv) strengthen governance; and (v) enhance human resource development. The PEAP is primarily implemented through sector wide plans which depend on resources provided within the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF), a three-year rolling spending plan. Uganda is also a signatory to the 2000 Millennium Declaration amongst several other international conventions.

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Useful Links

State House Uganda

Ministry for Finance, Planning and Economic Development

Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Uganda Bureau of Statistics