$Unique_ID{COW03823} $Pretitle{274} $Title{Uganda Introduction} $Subtitle{} $Author{} $Affiliation{} $Subject{uganda government kenya miles } $Date{} $Log{} Country: Uganda Book: Profile: Republic of Uganda Introduction GEOGRAPHY: Uganda, 93,981 sq. miles (slightly smaller than Oregon) lies astride the Equator, right in the heart of Africa. It is bordered by Zaire - W, Sudan - N, Kenya E, Tanzania and Rwanda S. The nearest port is 800 miles at Mombasa, Kenya. The alternative route to the sea is Dares-Salaam, 1000 miles across Lake Victoria. Uganda is a highland plateau with moderate temperature and 2 well distributed rainy seasons. Ruwenzori-Mountains of the Moon, 16,764 ft. is snow capped all year round, forming part of the border with Zaire. On the east border is Elgon, one of the world's largest volcanic mountain (extinct) 14,178 ft. Uganda's large fresh water lakes and swamps are 18% of total area, 12% is equatorial forest and game reserve and 70% is tropical forest and woodland savannah. Uganda is endowed with fertile soil, adequate rainfall, suitable for crop agriculture and animal husbandry. Minerals include copper, cobalt, gold, limestone, iron, hydrocarbons, granite, wolfram, phosphates, salt and columbite. Kampala is the capital and Entebbe is the international Airport. At Jinja, the River Nile, (World's longest) starts its 4,160 mile journey to the Mediterranean. The Owen Falls Dam provides hydro-power for Kenya and Uganda and there is immense potential for future development. PEOPLE: 1987 estimates put Uganda's population at slightly over 16 million. Kampala is 500,000. 90% Ugandans live in rural areas on individually owned small farms and are engaged in agriculture, by nature, a hardworking people. Highest population density is around Mount Elgon, the Lake Victoria Crescent and the South West Highlands. The population is mainly African of three main ethnic groups. English is the official language. Swahili and Luganda are widely spoken. GOVERNMENT Uganda is a Republic headed by an Executive President. After 5 years a struggle against dictatorship, the National Resistance Movement (N.R.M.) and Army (N.R.A.), headed by Yoweri Kaguta Museveni took power on January 26, 1986. The N.R.M. Government is broad-based, drawn from all the Political Parties that took part in the 1980 General Election and the Fighting Forces that opposed Obote between 1980 - 1985. The President exercises Executive powers in conjuction with the Cabinet, the National Resistance Council (NRC) exercises legislative powers. The Judiciary is independent under a Chief Justice. Independent Public Service Commissions appoint and discipline public servants. The Inspect General of Government ensures fair play between the people and the Administration, including fighting corruption and misuse of public office. Local Government is in the hands of elected Resistance Councils 1 to 5 whose terms of office is 2 years. Cotton ginning, coffee curing and sugar account for 17% of industrial value, manufacturing of food products - tea, dairy, grain and processed foods providing 6% and miscellaneous manufacturing industries, including beverages, tobacco, textiles, soap, steel, building materials and paper accounting for 77%. COMMUNICATIONS:- Uganda used to have a very good network of all weather roads which were allowed to go into disrepair. Major communications constitute 17,000 miles of roads and 800 miles of railroads linking the rich agricultural interior to the capital Kampala. The North Corridor from Southern Africa runs through Uganda to the Kenya Coast, so does the trans-Africa Highway from Mombasa in Kenya to Lagos, Nigeria (the Uganda/Kenya section is complete). Uganda's Satellite Earth Station facilitates fast telecommunications by phone, telex, facsimile and television. Entebbe International Airport has a long runway. Uganda Airlines, Kenya Airways, Tanzania Airways, Air Rwanda, Sabena, Ethiopian Airlines and Aeroflot operate international flights. Uganda Airlines and Katatumba Airways operate internal flights. Bel Air and Uganda Police Airwing Offer Small Aircraft Charter Services. A wagon ferry service links Uganda across lake Victoria to Kisumu in Kenya and Mwanza in Tanzania. NRM ADMINISTRATION: Uganda should be one of the richest countries in Africa, blessed with abundant rainfall, fertile soil and an energetic people. For a few years following independence in 1962, Uganda had a well-diversified economy. Real Gross National Product (GNP) grew by 5%, suggesting a minimum per capita growth of 2%. Government revenues increased faster than expenditures allowing it to finance significant development activities. Domestic savings averaged 15% and the country enjoyed a healthy balance of payment with a significant reserve. Between 1966 and 1985, Uganda went through a period of political turmoil, economic mismanagement, corruption and civil wars. The economic situation inherited by the N.R.M. Government in January 1986 was catastropic. Rich agricultural areas were turned into wasteland, their inhabitants killed or displaced, the infrastructure was destroyed, manufacturing and transportation were also largely destroyed, the currency was grossly overvalued, inflation ran rampant and the budget deficit was out of control. It also inherited a considerable foreign debt. The N.R.M. Government has brought peace and stability to the country, restored the rule of law and respect for human rights. A Human Rights Commission, headed by a High Court Judge was instituted to monitor human rights violations. A Constitutional Commission has been charged with drafting a Constitution acceptable to the people of Uganda. The N.R.M. set itself a limited political agenda outlined in a Ten Point Program. In 1987, the Government announced a major economic program for rehabilitation and reconstruction supported by World Bank, IMF, the Paris Club and USAID. Christmas Day - December 25 Boxing Day - December 26 Measure: - Metric System Driving: - Keep Left. Contact: - Embassy of the Republic of Uganda 5909 16th Street N.W. Washington, D.C. 20011 Phone (202) 726-7100 Telex: 440338 Telefax (202) 726-1727 Permanent Mission for the Republic of Uganda to The United Nations 336 East 45th Street New York, NY 10017 Phone: (212) 949-0110 Telex: 234554 Uganda High Commission 231 Cobourg Street Ottawa Ontario KIN BJ2 Phone: (613) 233-7797/8 Telex: 534469