Uganda
Type of Government: Republic
Independence: 1962 from the UK
Head of State: President Lt. Gen. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni (January 26, 1986)
2007/2008 UN Development Index ranking (out of 177 countries): 154
2007 TI Corruption Perception Index (out of 179): 111
Political Development: The dictatorial regime of Idi Amin (1971-79) was responsible for the deaths of some 300,000 opponents; guerrilla war and human rights abuses under Milton Obote (1980-85) claimed at least another 100,000 lives. The rule of Yoweri Museveni since 1986 has brought relative stability and economic growth to Uganda. During the 1990s, the government promulgated non-party presidential and legislative elections. Recently, however, Museveni has changed the constitution to abolish term limits.
Adult HIV Rate: 4.1%
Life Expectancy: 51.75
GDP: $8.526 billion
Inflation: 6.6%
Poverty: 35%
Petroleum: N/A
Leading Export Partner: Belgium (9.9%)
Economic Note: 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. Since 1986, the government - with the support of foreign countries and international agencies - has acted to rehabilitate and stabilize the economy by undertaking currency reform, raising producer prices on export crops, increasing prices of petroleum products, and improving civil service wages. The policy changes are especially aimed at dampening inflation and boosting production and export earnings.
