Uganda Country Information

Fact and Figures

Location - Eastern Africa, west of Kenya

Capital - Kampala

Population - 33.3 million

People - Over 56 ethnic groups. Bantu 64.8%. Nilotic 27.9%, Sudanic 5.4%

Language - English (official national language), Nilo-Saharan languages, Swahili, Arabic

Religion - Roman Catholic 41.9%, Protestant 42%, Muslim 12.1%, indigenous beliefs 4%

Literacy rate - 66.8%

Life expectancy - 52.9 years

% Living below $1/day - 85%

Sources The CIA World Fact Book 2008, Compassion International, www.news.bbc.co.uk

Uganda

Winston Churchill once described Uganda as the ‘Pearl of Africa’, owing to its striking, majestic scenery. The beauty of this country is undeniable, yet the landscapes of its people have been marred by tragedy.

After achieving independence from Britain in 1962, the following years plunged the country into chaos. Tribal warfare and the dictatorship of Idi Amin and Milton Obote destroyed much of the economic and social fabric of the nation. Since 1986, under the leadership of President Yoweri Museveni, the country has enjoyed relative stability and Uganda is now seen as one of the fastest growing economies in Africa.

However, there are still parts of the country which are suffering. Continued abduction of children as child soldiers in the north, violence in the west, AIDS and other diseases have left the majority of the population in desperate poverty.

There are an estimated two million orphans of AIDS and war. Children are shouldering the responsibility of households, and generations are growing up without the guidance and care of parents, resulting in the increase of street children and child labourers.

But in the midst of this there is hope. Uganda is one of the few African countries where HIV prevalence rates are declining and Compassion is working tirelessly to ensure the children of Uganda have a hope and a future to live for.

Compassion Uganda currently has 32 Child Survival Programmes.

Over 66,880 children are currently being assisted in more than 268 Child Sponsorship Programmes in Uganda.

Compassion Uganda currently has 311 active Leadership Development Programme students.