Constitution:
Turks and Caicos Islands Constitution Order 2006 (effective 9 August 2006)
Legal system:
based on laws of England and Wales, with a few adopted from Jamaica and The Bahamas
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor Gordon WETHERELL (since 5 August 2008) head of government: Premier Michael Eugene MISICK (chief minister since 15 August 2003, sworn in as premier on 9 August 2006); note - the office of premier was created in the 2006 constitution cabinet: Cabinet consists of the governor, the premier, six ministers appointed by the governor from among the members of the House of Assembly, and the attorney general elections: the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party is appointed premier by the governor
Legislative branch:
unicameral House of Assembly (21 seats of which 15 are popularly elected; members serve four-year terms) elections: last held 9 February 2007 (next to be held in 2011) election results: percent of vote by party - PNP 60%, PDM 40%; seats by party - PNP 13, PDM 2
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court; Court of Appeal
Political parties and leaders:
People's Democratic Movement or PDM [Floyd SEYMOUR]; ProgressiveNational Party or PNP [Michael Eugene MISICK]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
International organization participation:
Caricom (associate), CDB, Interpol (subbureau), UPU
Diplomatic representation in the US:
none (overseas territory of the UK)
Diplomatic representation from the US:
none (overseas territory of the UK)
Flag description:
blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the colonial shield centered on the outer half of the flag; the shield is yellow and contains a conch shell, lobster, and cactus
EconomyTurks and Caicos Islands
Economy - overview:
The Turks and Caicos economy is based on tourism, offshore financial services, and fishing. Most capital goods and food for domestic consumption are imported. The US is the leading source of tourists, accounting for more than three-quarters of the 175,000 visitors that arrived in 2004. Major sources of government revenue also include fees from offshore financial activities and customs receipts.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$216 million (2002 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):
GDP - real growth rate:
4.9% (2000 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$11,500 (2002 est.)
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA%
Labor force:
4,848 (1990 est.)
Labor force - by occupation:
note: about 33% in government and 20% in agriculture and fishing; significant numbers in tourism, financial, and other services
Unemployment rate:
10% (1997 est.)
Population below poverty line:
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $47 million expenditures: $33.6 million (1997-98 est.)
Fiscal year:
calendar year
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
4% (1995)
Agriculture - products:
corn, beans, cassava (tapioca), citrus fruits; fish
Industries:
tourism, offshore financial services
Industrial production growth rate:
Electricity - production:
10 million kWh (2006 est.)
Electricity - consumption:
9.3 million kWh (2006 est.)
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2007 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2007 est.)
Electricity - production by source:
fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)
Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2007 est.)
Oil - consumption:
80 bbl/day (2006 est.)
Oil - exports:
0 bbl/day (2005)
Oil - imports:
83.78 bbl/day (2005)
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2006 est.)
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2007 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2007 est.)
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2007 est.)
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2007 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.)
Exports:
$169.2 million (2000)
Exports - commodities:
lobster, dried and fresh conch, conch shells
Exports - partners:
Imports:
$175.6 million (2000)
Imports - commodities:
food and beverages, tobacco, clothing, manufactures, construction materials
Imports - partners:
Economic aid - recipient:
$4.1 million (1997)
Debt - external:
Currency (code):
US dollar (USD)
Currency code:
Exchange rates:
the US dollar is used
CommunicationsTurks and Caicos Islands
Telephones - main lines in use:
5,700 (2002)
Telephones - mobile cellular:
1,700 (1999)
Telephone system:
general assessment: fully digital system with international direct dialing domestic: full range of services available; GSM wireless service available international: country code - 1-649; the Americas Region Caribbean Ring System (ARCOS-1) fiber optic telecommunications submarine cable provides connectivity to South and Central America, parts of the Caribbean, and the US; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 2, FM 7, shortwave 0 (2003)
Radios:
8,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations:
0 (broadcasts received from The Bahamas; 2 cable television networks) (2003)
Televisions:
Internet country code:
.tc
Internet hosts:
2,352 (2008)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):
14 (2000)
Internet users:
TransportationTurks and Caicos Islands
Airports:
8 (2007)
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 6 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 2 (2007)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 2 under 914 m: 2 (2007)
Roadways:
total: 121 km paved: 24 km unpaved: 97 km (2003)
Merchant marine:
registered in other countries: 1 (Panama 1) (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Grand Turk, Providenciales
MilitaryTurks and Caicos Islands
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 222 female: 214 (2008 est.)
Military - note:
defense is the responsibility of the UK
Transnational IssuesTurks and Caicos Islands
Disputes - international:
have received Haitians fleeing economic and civil disorder
Illicit drugs:
transshipment point for South American narcotics destined for the US and Europe
This page was last updated on 18 December, 2008
======================================================================
@Tuvalu
IntroductionTuvalu
Background:
In 1974, ethnic differences within the British colony of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands caused the Polynesians of the Ellice Islands to vote for separation from the Micronesians of the Gilbert Islands. The following year, the Ellice Islands became the separate British colony of Tuvalu. Independence was granted in 1978. In 2000, Tuvalu negotiated a contract leasing its Internet domain name ".tv" for $50 million in royalties over a 12-year period.
GeographyTuvalu
Location:
Oceania, island group consisting of nine coral atolls in the SouthPacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to Australia
Geographic coordinates:
Map references:
Oceania
Area:
total: 26 sq km land: 26 sq km water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:
0.1 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
24 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate:
tropical; moderated by easterly trade winds (March to November); westerly gales and heavy rain (November to March)
Terrain:
very low-lying and narrow coral atolls
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 5 m
Natural resources:
fish
Land use:
arable land: 0% permanent crops: 66.67% other: 33.33% (2005)
Irrigated land:
Natural hazards:
severe tropical storms are usually rare, but, in 1997, there were three cyclones; low level of islands make them sensitive to changes in sea level
Environment - current issues:
since there are no streams or rivers and groundwater is not potable, most water needs must be met by catchment systems with storage facilities (the Japanese Government has built one desalination plant and plans to build one other); beachhead erosion because of the use of sand for building materials; excessive clearance of forest undergrowth for use as fuel; damage to coral reefs from the spread of the Crown of Thorns starfish; Tuvalu is concerned about global increases in greenhouse gas emissions and their effect on rising sea levels, which threaten the country's underground water table; in 2000, the government appealed to Australia and New Zealand to take in Tuvaluans if rising sea levels should make evacuation necessary
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
one of the smallest and most remote countries on Earth; six of the nine coral atolls - Nanumea, Nui, Vaitupu, Nukufetau, Funafuti, and Nukulaelae - have lagoons open to the ocean; Nanumaya and Niutao have landlocked lagoons; Niulakita does not have a lagoon
PeopleTuvalu
Population:
12,177 (July 2008 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 29.4% (male 1,826/female 1,754) 15-64 years: 65.4% (male 3,891/female 4,073) 65 years and over: 5.2% (male 236/female 397) (2008 est.)
Median age:
total: 25.2 years male: 24.2 years female: 26.4 years (2008 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.577% (2008 est.)
Birth rate:
22.75 births/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Death rate:
6.98 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Net migration rate:
NA (2008 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.59 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2008 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 18.97 deaths/1,000 live births male: 21.56 deaths/1,000 live births female: 16.25 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 68.97 years male: 66.7 years female: 71.36 years (2008 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.94 children born/woman (2008 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
Nationality:
noun: Tuvaluan(s) adjective: Tuvaluan
Ethnic groups:
Polynesian 96%, Micronesian 4%
Religions:
Church of Tuvalu (Congregationalist) 97%, Seventh-Day Adventist 1.4%, Baha'i 1%, other 0.6%
Languages:
Tuvaluan, English, Samoan, Kiribati (on the island of Nui)
Literacy:
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 11 years male: 11 years female: 11 years (2001)
Education expenditures:
GovernmentTuvalu
Country name:
conventional long form: none conventional short form: Tuvalu local long form: none local short form: Tuvalu former: Ellice Islands note: "Tuvalu" means "group of eight," referring to the country's eight traditionally inhabited islands
Government type:
constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary democracy
Capital:
name: Funafuti geographic coordinates: 8 30 S, 179 12 E time difference: UTC+12 (17 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) note: administrative offices are located in Vaiaku Village on Fongafale Islet
Administrative divisions:
none
Independence:
1 October 1978 (from UK)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 1 October (1978)
Constitution:
1 October 1978
Legal system:
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General Filoimea TELITO (since 15 April 2005) head of government: Prime Minister Apisai IELEMIA (since 14 August 2006) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the recommendation of the prime minister elections: the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch on the recommendation of the prime minister; prime minister and deputy prime minister elected by and from the members of Parliament; election last held 14 August 2006 (next to be held following parliamentary elections in 2010) election results: Apisai IELEMIA elected Prime Minister in a Parliamentary election on 14 August 2006
Legislative branch:
unicameral Parliament or Fale I Fono, also called House of Assembly (15 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 3 August 2006 (next to be held in 2010) election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - independents 15
Judicial branch:
High Court (a chief justice visits twice a year to preside over its sessions; its rulings can be appealed to the Court of Appeal in Fiji); eight Island Courts (with limited jurisdiction)
Political parties and leaders:
there are no political parties but members of Parliament usually align themselves in informal groupings
Political pressure groups and leaders:
none
International organization participation:
ACP, ADB, C, FAO, IFRCS (observer), IMO, IOC, ITU, OPCW, PIF,Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WHO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
Tuvalu does not have an embassy in the US - the country's only diplomatic post is in Fiji - Tuvalu does, however, have a UN office located at 800 2nd Avenue, Suite 400D, New York, NY 10017, telephone: [1] (212) 490-0534
Diplomatic representation from the US:
the US does not have an embassy in Tuvalu; the US ambassador to Fiji is accredited to Tuvalu
Flag description:
light blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant; the outer half of the flag represents a map of the country with nine yellow five-pointed stars symbolizing the nine islands
EconomyTuvalu
Economy - overview:
Tuvalu consists of a densely populated, scattered group of nine coral atolls with poor soil. The country has no known mineral resources and few exports. Subsistence farming and fishing are the primary economic activities. Fewer than 1,000 tourists, on average, visit Tuvalu annually. Job opportunities are scarce and public sector workers make up the majority of those employed. About 15% of the adult male population work as seamen on merchant ships abroad and remittances are a vital source of income, contributing around $4 million in 2006. Substantial income is received annually from the Tuvalu Trust Fund (TTF), an international trust fund established in 1987 by Australia, NZ, and the UK and supported also by Japan and South Korea. Thanks to wise investments and conservative withdrawals, this fund grew from an initial $17 million to an estimated value of $77 million in 2006. The TFF contributed nearly $9 million towards the government budget in 2006 and is an important cushion for meeting shortfalls in the government's budget. The US Government is also a major revenue source for Tuvalu because of payments from a 1988 treaty on fisheries. In an effort to ensure financial stability and sustainability, the government is pursuing public sector reforms, including privatization of some government functions and personnel cuts. Tuvalu also derives royalties from the lease of its ".tv" Internet domain name, with revenue of more than $2 million in 2006. A minor source of government revenue comes from the sale of stamps and coins. With merchandise exports only a fraction of merchandise imports, continued reliance must be placed on fishing and telecommunications license fees, remittances from overseas workers, official transfers, and income from overseas investments. Growing income disparities and the vulnerability of the country to climatic change are among leading concerns for the nation.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$14.94 million (2002 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):
$14.94 million (2002)
GDP - real growth rate:
3% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$1,600 (2002 est.)
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 16.6% industry: 27.2% services: 56.2% (2002)
Labor force:
3,615 (2004 est.)
Labor force - by occupation:
note: people make a living mainly through exploitation of the sea, reefs, and atolls and from wages sent home by those abroad (mostly workers in the phosphate industry and sailors)
Unemployment rate:
Population below poverty line:
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $21.54 million expenditures: $23.05 million (2006)
Fiscal year:
calendar year
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
3.8% (2006 est.)
Agriculture - products:
coconuts; fish
Industries:
fishing, tourism, copra
Industrial production growth rate:
Electricity - production by source:
fossil fuel: NA hydro: NA nuclear: NA other: NA
Current account balance:
-$11.68 million (2003)
Exports:
$1 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)
Exports - commodities:
copra, fish
Exports - partners:
Germany 60.5%, Italy 20.1%, Fiji 6.9% (2006)
Imports:
$12.91 million c.i.f. (2005)
Imports - commodities:
food, animals, mineral fuels, machinery, manufactured goods
Imports - partners:
Fiji 46.1%, Japan 18.9%, China 18.2%, Australia 7.7%, NZ 4.1% (2006)
Economic aid - recipient:
$10.49 million note: includes distributions from the Tuvalu Trust Fund (2006)
Debt - external:
Currency (code):
Australian dollar (AUD); note - there is also a Tuvaluan dollar
Currency code:
Exchange rates:
Tuvaluan dollars or Australian dollars (AUD) per US dollar - 1.2137 (2007), 1.3285 (2006), 1.3095 (2005), 1.3598 (2004), 1.5419 (2003)
CommunicationsTuvalu
Telephones - main lines in use:
900 (2005)
Telephones - mobile cellular:
1,300 (2005)
Telephone system:
general assessment: serves particular needs for internal communications domestic: radiotelephone communications between islands international: country code - 688; international calls can be made by satellite
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 0 (2004)
Radios:
4,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations:
0 (2004)
Televisions:
800
Internet country code:
.tv
Internet hosts:
56,209 (2008)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):
1 (2000)
Internet users:
1,300 (2002)
TransportationTuvalu
Airports:
1 (2007)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2007)
Roadways:
total: 8 km paved: 8 km (2002)
Merchant marine:
total: 80 by type: bulk carrier 7, cargo 30, chemical tanker 14, container 2, passenger 2, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 22, refrigerated cargo 1, specialized tanker 1 foreign-owned: 63 (China 16, Hong Kong 7, Kenya 1, South Korea 1, Malaysia 1, Maldives 1, Norway 1, Russia 2, Singapore 23, Thailand 1, Turkey 2, Ukraine 1, US 1, Vietnam 5) (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Funafuti
MilitaryTuvalu
Military branches:
no regular military forces; Tuvalu Police Force (2008)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 128 female: 125 (2008 est.)
Military expenditures:
Transnational IssuesTuvalu
Disputes - international:
none
This page was last updated on 18 December, 2008
======================================================================
@Uganda
IntroductionUganda
Background:
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.
GeographyUganda
Location:
Eastern Africa, west of Kenya
Geographic coordinates:
Map references:
Africa
Area:
total: 236,040 sq km land: 199,710 sq km water: 36,330 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than Oregon
Land boundaries:
total: 2,698 km border countries: Democratic Republic of the Congo 765 km, Kenya 933 km, Rwanda 169 km, Sudan 435 km, Tanzania 396 km
Coastline:
0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:
none (landlocked)
Climate:
tropical; generally rainy with two dry seasons (December to February, June to August); semiarid in northeast
Terrain:
mostly plateau with rim of mountains
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Lake Albert 621 m highest point: Margherita Peak on Mount Stanley 5,110 m
Natural resources:
copper, cobalt, hydropower, limestone, salt, arable land
Land use:
arable land: 21.57% permanent crops: 8.92% other: 69.51% (2005)
Irrigated land:
90 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
66 cu km (1970)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 0.3 cu km/yr (43%/17%/40%) per capita: 10 cu m/yr (2002)
Natural hazards:
Environment - current issues:
draining of wetlands for agricultural use; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; water hyacinth infestation in Lake Victoria; widespread poaching
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification
Geography - note:
landlocked; fertile, well-watered country with many lakes and rivers
PeopleUganda
Population:
31,367,972 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2008 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 50% (male 7,903,935/female 7,789,792) 15-64 years: 47.8% (male 7,528,073/female 7,469,938) 65 years and over: 2.2% (male 284,122/female 392,112) (2008 est.)
Median age:
total: 15 years male: 14.9 years female: 15.1 years (2008 est.)
Population growth rate:
3.603% (2008 est.)
Birth rate:
48.15 births/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Death rate:
12.32 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Net migration rate:
0.21 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.72 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2008 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 65.99 deaths/1,000 live births male: 69.65 deaths/1,000 live births female: 62.21 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 52.34 years male: 51.31 years female: 53.4 years (2008 est.)
Total fertility rate:
6.81 children born/woman (2008 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
4.1% (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
530,000 (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
78,000 (2003 est.)
Major infectious diseases:
degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: chikungunya, malaria, plague, and African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness) water contact disease: schistosomiasis (2008)
Nationality:
noun: Ugandan(s) adjective: Ugandan
Ethnic groups:
Baganda 16.9%, Banyakole 9.5%, Basoga 8.4%, Bakiga 6.9%, Iteso 6.4%, Langi 6.1%, Acholi 4.7%, Bagisu 4.6%, Lugbara 4.2%, Bunyoro 2.7%, other 29.6% (2002 census)
Religions:
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)
Languages:
English (official national language, taught in grade schools, used in courts of law and by most newspapers and some radio broadcasts), Ganda or Luganda (most widely used of the Niger-Congo languages, preferred for native language publications in the capital and may be taught in school), other Niger-Congo languages, Nilo-Saharan languages, Swahili, Arabic
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 66.8% male: 76.8% female: 57.7% (2002 census)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 10 years male: 11 years female: 10 years (2004)
Education expenditures:
5.2% of GDP (2004)
GovernmentUganda
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Uganda conventional short form: Uganda
Government type:
republic
Capital:
name: Kampala geographic coordinates: 0 19 N, 32 25 E time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
56 districts; Adjumani, Apac, Arua, Bugiri, Bundibugyo, Bushenyi, Busia, Gulu, Hoima, Iganga, Jinja, Kabale, Kabarole, Kaberamaido, Kalangala, Kampala, Kamuli, Kamwenge, Kanungu, Kapchorwa, Kasese, Katakwi, Kayunga, Kibale, Kiboga, Kisoro, Kitgum, Kotido, Kumi, Kyenjojo, Lira, Luwero, Masaka, Masindi, Mayuge, Mbale, Mbarara, Moroto, Moyo, Mpigi, Mubende, Mukono, Nakapiripirit, Nakasongola, Nebbi, Ntungamo, Pader, Pallisa, Rakai, Rukungiri, Sembabule, Sironko, Soroti, Tororo, Wakiso, Yumbe note: as of a July 2005, 13 new districts were reportedly added bringing the total up to 69; the new districts are Amolatar, Amuria, Budaka, Butaleja, Ibanda, Kaabong, Kabingo, Kaliro, Kiruhura, Koboko, Manafwa, Mityana, Nakaseke; a total of ten more districts are in the process of being added
Independence:
9 October 1962 (from UK)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 9 October (1962)
Constitution:
8 October 1995; in 2005 the constitution was amended removing presidential term limits and legalizing a multiparty political system
Legal system:
in 1995, the government restored the legal system to one based on English common law and customary law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Lt. Gen. Yoweri Kaguta MUSEVENI (since seizing power 26 January 1986); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government head of government: President Lt. Gen. Yoweri Kaguta MUSEVENI (since seizing power 26 January 1986); Prime Minister Apolo NSIBAMBI (since 5 April 1999); note - the prime minister assists the president in the supervision of the cabinet cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president from among elected legislators elections: president reelected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 23 February 2006 (next to be held in 2011) election results: Lt. Gen. Yoweri Kaguta MUSEVENI elected president; percent of vote - Lt. Gen. Yoweri Kaguta MUSEVENI 59.3%, Kizza BESIGYE 37.4%, other 3.3%
Legislative branch:
unicameral National Assembly (332 seats; 215 members elected by popular vote, 104 nominated by legally established special interest groups [women 79, army 10, disabled 5, youth 5, labor 5], 13 ex officio members; to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 23 February 2006 (next to be held in 2011) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NRM 191, FDC 37, UPC 9, DP 8, CP 1, JEEMA 1, independents 36, other 49
Judicial branch:
Court of Appeal (judges are appointed by the president and approved by the legislature); High Court (judges are appointed by the president)
Political parties and leaders:
Conservative Party or CP [Ken LUKYAMUZI]; Democratic Party or DP[Kizito SSEBAANA]; Forum for Democratic Change or FDC [KizzaBESIGYE]; Justice Forum or JEEMA [Muhammad Kibirige MAYANJA];National Resistance Movement or NRM [Yoweri MUSEVENI]; PeoplesProgressive Party or PPP [Bidandi SSALI]; Ugandan People's Congressor UPC [Miria OBOTE]note: a national referendum in July 2005 opened the way for Uganda'stransition to a multi-party political system
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Lord's Resistence Group or LRA [Joseph KONY]; Young ParliamentaryAssociation [Henry BANYENZAKI]; Parliamentary Advocacy Forum orPAFO; National Association of Women Organizations in Uganda or NAWOU[Florence NEKYON]; The Ugandan Coalition for PoliticalAccountability to Wormen or COPAW
International organization participation:
ACP, AfDB, AU, C, COMESA, EAC, EADB, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO,ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD, ILO, IMF, Interpol,IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINURCAT,NAM, OIC, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO,UNMIS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Perezi Karukubiro KAMUNANWIRE chancery: 5911 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20011 telephone: [1] (202) 726-7100 through 7102, 0416 FAX: [1] (202) 726-1727
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Steven BROWNING embassy: 1577 Ggaba Road, Kampala mailing address: P. O. Box 7007, Kampala telephone: [256] (414) 259, 306-001 FAX: [256] (414) 258-451
Flag description:
six equal horizontal bands of black (top), yellow, red, black, yellow, and red; a white disk is superimposed at the center and depicts a red-crested crane (the national symbol) facing the hoist side
EconomyUganda
Economy - overview:
Uganda has substantial natural resources, including fertile soils, regular rainfall, and sizable mineral deposits of copper, cobalt, gold, and other minerals. 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. During 1990-2001, the economy turned in a solid performance based on continued investment in the rehabilitation of infrastructure, improved incentives for production and exports, reduced inflation, gradually improved domestic security, and the return of exiled Indian-Ugandan entrepreneurs. Growth continues to be solid, despite variability in the price of coffee, Uganda's principal export, and a consistent upturn in Uganda's export markets. In 2000, Uganda qualified for enhanced Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) debt relief worth $1.3 billion and Paris Club debt relief worth $145 million. These amounts combined with the original HIPC debt relief added up to about $2 billion.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$29.13 billion (2007 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):
$11.23 billion (2007 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
6% (2007 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$1,000 (2007 est.)
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 30.2% industry: 24.7% services: 45.1% (2007 est.)
Labor force:
14.02 million (2007 est.)
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 82% industry: 5% services: 13% (1999 est.)
Unemployment rate:
Population below poverty line:
35% (2001 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 2.3% highest 10%: 37.7% (2002)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
45.7 (2002)
Investment (gross fixed):
25.4% of GDP (2007 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $2.211 billion expenditures: $2.443 billion; including capital expenditures of $NA (2007 est.)
Fiscal year:
1 July - 30 June
Public debt:
20.6% of GDP (2007 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
6.1% (2007 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
14.68% (31 December 2007)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
19.11% (31 December 2007)
Stock of money:
$1.363 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money:
$1.302 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$907.3 million (31 December 2007)
Agriculture - products:
coffee, tea, cotton, tobacco, cassava (tapioca), potatoes, corn, millet, pulses, cut flowers; beef, goat meat, milk, poultry
Industries:
sugar, brewing, tobacco, cotton textiles; cement, steel production
Industrial production growth rate:
5.8% (2007 est.)
Electricity - production:
1.161 billion kWh (2006 est.)
Electricity - consumption:
899.7 million kWh (2006 est.)
Electricity - exports:
180 million kWh (2006)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2007 est.)
Electricity - production by source:
fossil fuel: 0.9% hydro: 99.1% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)
Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2007 est.)
Oil - consumption:
11,570 bbl/day (2006 est.)
Oil - exports:
115.2 bbl/day (2005)
Oil - imports:
11,540 bbl/day (2005)
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2006 est.)
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2007 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2007 est.)
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2007 est.)
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2007 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.)
Current account balance:
-$744.7 million (2007 est.)
Exports:
$1.686 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Exports - commodities:
coffee, fish and fish products, tea, cotton, flowers, horticultural products; gold
Exports - partners:
Netherlands 10.2%, Belgium 9.8%, Germany 7.9%, France 7.2%, Rwanda 5.6% (2007)
Imports:
$2.983 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Imports - commodities:
capital equipment, vehicles, petroleum, medical supplies; cereals
Imports - partners:
Kenya 31.8%, China 7.8%, UAE 7.7%, South Africa 5.9%, India 5.2%,Japan 4.8% (2007)
Economic aid - recipient:
$1.198 billion (2005)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$2.56 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Debt - external:
$1.498 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$103.4 million (2005)
Currency (code):
Ugandan shilling (UGX)
Currency code:
Exchange rates:
Ugandan shillings (UGX) per US dollar - 1,685.8 (2007), 1,834.9 (2006), 1,780.7 (2005), 1,810.3 (2004), 1,963.7 (2003)
CommunicationsUganda
Telephones - main lines in use:
162,300 (2007)
Telephones - mobile cellular:
4.195 million (2007)
Telephone system:
general assessment: seriously inadequate; mobile cellular service is increasing rapidly, but the number of main lines is still deficient; e-mail and Internet services are available domestic: intercity traffic by wire, microwave radio relay, and radiotelephone communication stations, fixed and mobile-cellular systems for short-range traffic international: country code - 256; satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) and 1 Inmarsat; analog links to Kenya and Tanzania
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 7, FM 33, shortwave 2 (2001)
Radios:
5 million (2001)
Television broadcast stations:
8 (plus 1 repeater) (2001)
Televisions:
500,000 (2001)
Internet country code:
.ug
Internet hosts:
1,090 (2008)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):
2 (2000)
Internet users:
2 million (2007)
TransportationUganda
Airports:
32 (2007)
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 5 over 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2007)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 27 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 6 914 to 1,523 m: 11 under 914 m: 9 (2007)
Railways:
total: 1,244 km narrow gauge: 1,244 km 1.000-m gauge (2006)
Roadways:
total: 70,746 km paved: 16,272 km unpaved: 54,474 km (2003)
Waterways:
on Lake Victoria, 200 km on Lake Albert, Lake Kyoga, and parts of Albert Nile (2005)