• Uganda:
• Society

Uganda - Society

Population: 30,884,000 (2007); growth 3% p.a. 1970–90 and 3.2% p.a. 1990–2004; birth rate (2005) 47 per 1,000 people (51 in 1970); life expectancy 50 years (46 in 1970). The rural population predominates, with most settlement concentrated around Lake Victoria. Of the 12% urban dwellers, about 40% live in Kampala.

The majority of the population consists of Bantu peoples (Ganda, Nkole, Kiga, Soga, Gisu, Nyoro, Konjo, Gwere, Nyole and Samia) in the west, south and east; and most of the rest of Nilotic peoples (Teso, Langi, Acholi, Lugbara, Alur, Karimojong, Jopadhola, Madi, Sabiny and Kakwa) in the north and parts of the east; with minorities of Asians and refugees from neighbouring countries.

Religion: Christians 70% (mainly Roman Catholics and Protestants), Muslims 15%, and most of the rest holding traditional beliefs, which often coexist with other religions.

Language: The official language is English. Kiswahili and Luganda are widely spoken and there are several other African languages.

Media: English-language dailies include New Vision (state-owned) and The Monitor; The EastAfrican is published weekly.

Several private TV channels and radio stations were launched after liberalisation of the media in 1993. Uganda Television is the public broadcaster, and WBS and Channel Television are among the private channels. Radio Uganda is the publicly run network, operating five radio stations across the country. The BBC World Service is widely available on FM, and Radio France Internationale operates on FM in Kampala.

There are 18 TV sets (2002), five personal computers (2004) and 25 internet users (2006) per 1,000 people.

Education: Public spending on education was 5.2% of GDP in 2004. The primary net enrolment ratio is 16% (2002/03) and secondary, 15% (2005). The pupil–teacher ratio for primary is 52:1 and for secondary 21:1 (2005). The school year starts in February.

About 3% of the relevant age group is enrolled in tertiary education (2005). Makerere University (1922) and Mbarara University of Science and Technology (1989) are the principal public universities. Kyambogo University (2003) and Gulu University (2004) were established in the 2000s. The principal private universities include Busoga University (1999), Islamic University in Uganda (1988), Kampala International University (2001), Uganda Christian University (1997) and Uganda Martyrs University (1993). About 40% of all undergraduates are female (September 2003).

Illiteracy among people age 15–24 is 23.4% (2006).

Health: Trained medical assistants (many of whom practise privately) make up (to some extent) for the lack of doctors. Formal health facilities, which are adequate everywhere except in the north of the country, are mostly provided by non-governmental organisations. 60% of the population uses an improved drinking water source and 54% of people in urban areas have access to adequate sanitation facilities (2004/2005). Infant mortality was 79 per 1,000 live births in 2005 (133 in 1960).

The chief causes of death among adults are AIDS-related illnesses, tuberculosis, malaria and illnesses related to maternity; among children, malaria, pneumonia, diarrhoea. Uganda was the first African country openly to confront the menace of AIDS; the government runs a comprehensive information campaign directed at the general public. At the end of 2005, 6.3% of people age 15 and over were estimated to be HIV positive.

Communications: Country code 256. International calls can be made from phone shops, found in most towns. Mobile phone coverage extends to all major towns, and there are roaming agreements with international providers. There are internet cafes in most large towns.

There are four main telephone lines and 67 mobile phones per 1,000 people (2006).

Public holidays: New Year’s Day, Liberation Day (26 January), International Women’s Day (8 March), Labour Day (1 May), Uganda Martyrs’ Day (3 June), National Heroes’ Day (9 June), Independence Day (9 October), Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

Religious festivals whose dates vary from year to year include Good Friday, Easter Monday, Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan) and Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice).