<text><span class="style12">UGANDA</span><span class="style42">Official name:</span><span class="style13"> The Republic of Uganda</span><span class="style42">Member of: </span><span class="style13">UN, Commonwealth, OAU</span><span class="style42">Area: </span><span class="style13">241139 km2 (93104 sq mi)</span><span class="style42">Population: </span><span class="style13">16583000 (1991 census)</span><span class="style42">Capital: </span><span class="style13">Kampala 773000 (1991 census)</span><span class="style42">Other major cities:</span><span class="style13"> Jinja 61000, Mbale 54000 (1991 census)</span><span class="style42">Languages: </span><span class="style13">English and Swahili (both official), with local languages including Luganda</span><span class="style42">Religions: </span><span class="style13">Roman Catholic (45%), animist (32%), various Protestant Churches (17%), Sunni Islam (6%)</span><span class="style42">GOVERNMENT</span><span class="style13">Elections were held in 1994 for a 288-member (constituent) Assembly comprising 214 members elected by universal adult suffrage, 10 members nominated by the President, 56 members nominated by special interest groups (trade unions, womenΓÇÖs organizations, etc.) and eight members nominated by the four principal political parties in operation before parties were banned in 1988. The President, who is elected by the Assembly for five years, appoints a Prime Minister and other Ministers. </span><span class="style42">GEOGRAPHY</span><span class="style13">Most of Uganda is a plateau. This ends in the west at the Great Rift Valley and the Ruwenzori Mountains, rising to Ngaliema at 5118 m (16 763 ft). Lake Victoria covers southeast Uganda. </span><span class="style42">Principal river: </span><span class="style13">Nile 6648 km (4132 mi). </span><span class="style42">Climate: </span><span class="style13">UgandaΓÇÖs tropical climate is moderated by its altitude.</span><span class="style42">ECONOMY</span><span class="style13">Agriculture involves over 75% of the labor force; coffee accounts for 90% of UgandaΓÇÖs exports. Subsistence crops include plantains, cassava and sweet potatoes. Instability has damaged the economy. </span><span class="style42">Currency: </span><span class="style13">Uganda shilling.</span><span class="style42">HISTORY</span><span class="style13">The British protectorate of Uganda ΓÇô established in 1894 ΓÇô was built around the powerful African kingdom of Buganda, whose continuing special status contributed to the disunity that has plagued the country since independence in 1962. Dr Milton Obote, who suppressed the Buganda monarchy in 1966, was overthrown in a coup by General Idi Amin in 1971. Amin earned international criticism when political and human rights were curtailed, opponents of the regime were murdered and the Asian population was expelled. The army took over in 1979, supported by Tanzanian troops. Obote was restored but was ousted in a military coup in 1985, since when instability and guerrilla action have continued.# In 1994, a constituent assembly was called and the traditional kingdoms, including Buganda, were revived. In some rural areas, AIDS has devastated the population.</span></text>