Uganda

Date of Independence: October 9, 1962 Capital: Kampala Languages: English (official), Swahili, Ganda, various Bantu languages Ethnic groups: Baganda, Ankole, Basoga, Iteso, Bakiga, Langi, Rwanda, Bagisu, Acholi, Lugbara, Batoro, Bunyoro, Alur, Bagwere, Bakonjo, Jopodhola, Karamojong, Rundi, non- African (European, Asian, Arab) Major Religions: Christianity, Islam Currency: Ugandan shilling Population: 27.6 million (2005) Main Exports: Coffee, fish and fish products, tea; tobacco, cotton, corn, beans, sesame

Uganda's recorded history dates back to A.D. 100, with evidence of a developed form of agriculture and the use of iron. Between the 14^th and 15^th centuries, migrants from the Sudan area dominated the area, establishing several kingdoms in the region including the Bunyaro, Toro and Buganda kingdoms. It was with the kingdom of Buganda that Arab traders established relations with, introducing Islam to the region in the process. In the late 19^th century, explorers curious about the source of the Nile river drove European expansion in the area. The expansion was led by missionaries eager for converts and led to the rise of three distinct sects: Protestant, Catholic and Muslim. The factions warred with each other and destabilized the Kingdom of Buganda. Great Britain took advantage of the weakened state and in 1893 forced the ruler of Buganda to accept British protection. In 1894, Britain established a protectorate over all of present-day Uganda, incorporating all four kingdoms.

Uganda became an independent nation in 1962. Milton Obote, head of the Uganda People’s Congress, was elected Prime Minister Minister with Edward Mutesa II, the kabaka (king) of Buganda serving as the ceremonial president. A rift soon appeared however, as the Bugandans, fearful of losing dominance in newly-independent Uganda, sought to remove Obote as Prime Minister. Obote responded by crushing the king’s forces to take control of the local Buganda government. In 1967, he introduced a new constitution which abolished all kingdoms within Uganda’s borders and eliminated federal powers. He remained in power until 1971, when he was deposed by his Chief of Staff, Idi Amin.

For over a decade during Amin’s rule, and a brief return by Obote, Uganda was synonymous with the worst human rights abuses. Over 500,000 people were killed during this period. Amin also forcibly expelled a large Indian minority population, who virtually controlled the commercial sector: a move which sunk the country deeper into poverty. Amin was finally ousted in 1979, with help from the Tanzanian government and forced to flee to Libya in 1979. Obote briefly returned to power but was removed in 1986 by Yoweri Museveni, who formed a multi-ethnic guerilla force, the National Resistance Army, and took power in 1986. Museveni quickly established a multi-party cabinet and abolished all political parties formed along ethnic lines. He has been praised for introduced democratic reforms, improving human rights and promoting economic growth.

He has not, however, been able to quell the Lord’s Resistance Army, a rebel group in the north whose leader has declared that he wants to run the country according to the Ten Commandments. The violence has displaced more than 1.6 million people; tens of thousands have been killed or kidnapped in the course of nearly two decades.

Sources:

The World Factbook, Central Intelligence Agency, available at : http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/ug.html

Country Profile: Uganda, BBC News, available at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/country_profiles/1069166.stm

Uganda, MSN Encarta, available at: http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761566572/Uganda.html

Uganda, Wikipedia, available at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uganda