Embassy of the Republic of Uganda to the Kingdoms of Belgium & The Netherlands,
The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and The European Union


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    Slideshows
    President of the Republic of Uganda H.E. Yoweri Kaguta MUSEVENI
    Slideshows
    H.E. Ambassador Ms. Mirjam Blaak-Sow

    Country Profile


    Uganda is located in the heart of Sub-Saharan Africa and lies astride the Equator. The total area of the country is about 241,039 square kilometers of which about 43,942 sq. km are covered by fresh water bodies and swamps. Uganda is a country strategically positioned within East and Central Africa, a region that includes some of Africa's most economically important and resource rich countries with a substantial market and great future potential.

    The country is land-locked and borders the Sudan to the north, the Democratic Republic of Congo to the west, Kenya to the east, and Tanzania and Rwanda to the south.

    Country Data

    Area
    Land Area


    197,097 Sq. Km

    Water and Swamps

    43,942 Sq. Km

    Total Area

    241,039 Sq. Km

     

    Land Use

     

    Arable Land

    25%

    Permanent Crops

    9%

    Permanent Pastures

    9%

    Forests and Woodland

    28%

    Other

    29%

     

    Demographics

     

    Total Population (2002)

    24.7 million

    Female Population (2002)

    12.6 million

    Male Population (2002)

    12.1 million

    Percentage Urban (2002)

    12%

    Population of Kampala City (2002)

    1,208,544

    Female Population/Aged 15-54 (2002)

    5.4 million

    Male Population/Aged 15-54 (2002)

    5 million

    Young Adults/Aged 10-24 (2002)

    7.9 million

    Population/Aged under 5 years (2002)

    3.83 million

    Population/Aged 65+ (2002)

    0.77 million

    Population Density (2002)

    126 persons/km

    Inter-Censual Annual Population Growth Rate (1991-2002)

    3.4% per year

    Infant Mortality Rate (2000/01)

    88 per 1000 live births

    Life Expectancy (1991)
    Male
    Female

    48.1 years
    45.7 years
    50.5 years

    Population per Physician (Doctor)

    18,575

     

    Education

     

    Literacy Rate (2002)

    64%

     

    Religions

     

    Roman Catholic

    33%

    Protestant

    33%

    Muslim

    16%

    Indigenous Beliefs

    18%

     

    Form of State

    Republic

    President

    H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni

    Legal System

    Based on English law and the new Constitution enacted in October 1995.

    National Legislature

    319 Elected members (by Adult Suffrage 284 & electoral colleges 35) and 10 Ex-officio

    Last Elections

    Presidential, Parliamentary, Local Government February/March 2011

    Official language

    English 
    Other languages: Swahili, Luganda

    Capital City

    Kampala

    Currency

    Uganda Shilling

    Time

    GMT+ 3

     

    Uganda's Flag and its Meaning

    From the top, a total of six horizontal stripes of black, yellow, red, black, yellow, red. Black symbolises our African heritage and Uganda's fertile soil; yellow is for the glorious sunny days, so characteristic of Uganda; red symbolises the red blood that runs in our veins, forming a common bond to all humankind. The majestic crested crane (Regulorum gibbericeps) is Uganda's National Bird.

     

     

     

    Uganda's Coat of Arms

    Standing on a green mound is a shield and two crossed spears. The green symbolizes Uganda's lush, green vegetation. Supporting the shield are the Uganda Kob (Adenota kob Thomasi), symbolizing abundance of wildlife; and the Crested Crane (Regulorum gibbericeps), Uganda's national bird. The shield and spears symbolize our readiness to defend our motherland against all enemies. Across the top of the shield are the waves of Lake Victoria, the second largest fresh water lake on earth. In the centre of the shield is the sun, representing Uganda's glorious sunny days. At the bottom of the shield is the traditional African drum, used for dancing, ceremonial rituals, and for summoning the people to rally. Coffee and cotton, Uganda's main cash crops, are displayed on the green mound; together with the River Nile, the world's longest river; which starts its 8000 km (5000 mile) journey in Uganda. The Uganda motto is "For God and My Country".

     

    The National Anthem of Uganda National Anthem of Uganda

    "Oh Uganda, Land of Beauty" is the Uganda National Anthem. It was adopted in 1962 with words and music composed by George Wilberforce Kakoma.

    Oh, Uganda! May God uphold thee,
    We lay our future in thy hand;
    United, free for liberty
    together we'll always stand.

    ---------------------

    Oh, Uganda! The land of freedom,
    Our love and labour we give;
    And with neighbours all
    At our country's call
    In peace and friendship we'll live.

    ----------------------

    Oh, Uganda! The land that feeds us,
    By sun and fertile soil grown;
    For our own dear land,
    We'll always stand,
    The Pearl of Africa's Crown


    Public Holidays 2012

    Muslim festivals are timed according to local sightings of various phases of the moon and the dates given here are approximations. During the lunar month of Ramadan that precedes Eid al-Fitr, Muslims fast during the day and feast at night and normal business patterns may be interrupted. Many restaurants are closed during the day and there may be restrictions on smoking and drinking. Some disruption may continue into Eid al-Fitr itself. Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha may last anything from two to 10 days, depending on the region.

    January 1 (Sunday) New Year's Day
    January 26 (Thursday) Liberation Day
    March 8 (Thursday) International Women's Day
    April 6 (Friday) Good Friday
    April 9 (Monday) Easter Monday
    May 1 (Tuesday) Labour Day
    June 3 (Sunday) Martyrs' Day
    June 9 (Saturday) National Heroes' Day
    August 19 (Sunday) Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan)
    October 9 (Tuesday) Independence Day.
    October 26 (Friday) Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice)
    December 25 (Tuesday) Christmas Day
    December 26 (Wednesday) Boxing Day

    Overview of the Economy

    Uganda has substantial natural resources, including fertile soils, regular rainfall, and sizable mineral deposits of copper and cobalt. Agriculture is the most important sector of the economy, employing over 80% of the work force. Coffee accounts for the bulk of export revenues.

    The economic reforms implemented by the present government in Uganda since 1987, coupled with political stability, have contributed to economic growth rates averaging 6% perannum in the last decade. This has made Uganda one of the fastest growing countries in Africa. Inflation is under control and has been maintained below 10% per annum for the last four years. Most economic activities are fully liberalized and open to foreign investment. There are no restrictions to 100% foreign ownership of investments and no barriers to remittance of dividends.


    The Uganda Shilling is fully convertible and has remained stable over the last years. The foreign exchange market is now wholly liberalized following a move by government, effective July 1997, to liberalize capital account transactions. Uganda is now one of about only five countries in the whole of Africa that have no restrictions on capital amount transfers. Within Africa and the merging markets, Uganda enjoys a high status with donors and lenders.

    Taxes on imports and locally manufactured goods continue to fall in line with the Government's commitment to support the growth of the manufacturing sector. In general, the environment for private sector investment has improved significantly with the formal economy growing in importance. As well as pure growth, Uganda is seeing a shift from the firmly agricultural based economy of 1986 towards construction manufacturing and regional trade/distribution.

    For more information on the economy go to:

    www.finance.go.ug

    www.bou.or.ug








     

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    The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and The European Union