Uganda

The colonial boundaries created by Britain to delimit Uganda grouped together a wide range of ethnic groups with different political systems and cultures. These differences prevented the establishment of a working political community after independence was achieved in 1962. 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.

Population (1): 31,367,972

Religions (1): Roman Catholic 41.9%, Protestant 42% (Anglican 35.9%, Pentecostal 4.6%, Seventh Day Adventist 1.5%), Muslim 12.1%, other 3.1%, none 0.9% (2002 census)

HIV/AIDS 2003 estimates (1) : Adult prevalence rate: 4.1%
People living with HIV/AIDS: 530,000
HIV/AIDS deaths: 78,000

Life expectancy in years (2): 50

Annual per capita GNI U.S dollars (3): $300.00

Total number of orphans (4): 2,300,000

Education:
Children completing primary school (5): Male – 63%; Female – 64%
Children enrolled in secondary school (6): Male – 18%; Female – 14%

Number of physicians per 100,000 people (7): 8

(1) CIA – The World Factbook
(2) (5) (6) Source: State of the World Population 2007
(3) Source: World Bank World Development Indicator Database, 1 July 2007, 2006 estimates
(4) Sources: UNICEF Africa’s OVCs affected by AIDS 2005
(7) WHO Human Resources for Health

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Children playing on the campus of Rafiki Village Uganda

ROS serving in Uganda

Kim and Tyler Anderson
Nancy and Art Ballman
Carolyn and Mike Enis
Cecilia and Stan Gryde
Cricket Meyer