Uganda has earned the title of 'Pearl of Africa' due to its significant natural resources, ample fertile land, regular rainfall and mineral deposits. As a result agriculture and related economic activities alone provides subsistence for over 80% of the population. However economic decline has left Uganda among the poorest and least developed countries in the world, ranked 143 out of 177 countries by the United Nations Development Programme in 2010 (a ranking based on statistics such as life expectancy, literacy and gross domestic product). 35% of its population live below the poverty line and the average daily Ugandan income is £2, compared to £40 in the UK.
Improved education is a priority of the Ugandan government. In 1997 Universal Primary Education (UPE) was introduced, with enrolment rising from 2.5 to 6 million pupils. in 2007 the government went one step further and made secondary education free. While it is now the single biggest item in government spending, finances are limited and schools are desperately under funded. One in five primary school children are orphans and the image of large classes held in the open is a common one in rural Uganda!
Uganda facts and figures:
- Motto: "For God and My Country"
- Anthem: "O Uganda, Land of Beauty"
- Capital: Kampala
- Official languages: English, Swahili
- Government: Democratic Republic
- President: Yoweri Museveni
- PM: Apollo Nsibambi
- Population: 30,900,000
- Main Exports: Coffee, fish and fish products, tea, tobacco, cotton, corn, beans, sesame
- Total area: 241, 038 sq km/93, 072 sq miles
- GDP: $52.93 billion (total)/$1,900 (per capita)
- Currency: Ugandan Shilling
- Life expectancy (UN): 51 years (men) 52 years (women)
- Living with HIV & AIDS: 6.7%