Uganda

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Overview

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Uganda

Anthem Oh Uganda, Land of Beauty
Capital Kampala
Largest city Kampala
Official language(s) English / Swahili
 
Demonym
 

Ugandan
Government Democratic Republic
Area 236,040 km2, 91,136 sq mi
Population ~ 32 million
Currency Ugandan shilling (UGX)
Internet TLD .ug

Geography

Uganda
The Republic of Uganda is a landlocked country in East Africa. It is bordered on the east by Kenya, on the north by Sudan, on the west by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, on the southwest by Rwanda, and on the south by Tanzania.
Uganda
Most important cities are located in the south, near Lake Victoria, including Kampala and the nearby city of Entebbe. Kampala is the largest city and capital of Uganda. As of 2008, the city had an estimated population of 1,420,200.

Society and culture

Population

Uganda’s population has grown from 4.8 million people in 1950 to 33,398,682 in 2010. Uganda has a very young population, with a median age of 15 years. Uganda is home to many different ethnic groups. None of these groups forms a majority of the population. Some of the ethnic groups are: Baganda 16.9%, Banyakole 9.5%, Basoga 8.4%, Bakiga 6.9%, Iteso 6.4%, Langi 6.1%.

Languages

Around forty different languages are regularly and currently in use in the country. The most widely spoken local language is Luganda. However, English is the official national language. It is taught in schools, used in courts of law and by most newspapers and some radio broadcasts. Swahili is also widely used and an important lingua franca in the northern regions.

Religion

According to the census of 2002, Christians made up about 84% of Uganda's population. Around 42% were Roman Catholic and 42% Protestants. The next most reported religion of Uganda is Islam, with Muslims representing 12% of the population.

Government and politics

Uganda is a republic. The President of the republic, currently Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, is both head of state and head of government. The parliament is formed by the National Assembly, which has 332 members. The judiciary power is vested in the Court of Appeal and the High Court.

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 workforce. Uganda depends on Kenya for access to international markets.
 

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