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Uganda SOCIETY
Population: In 1990, 16.9 million (government
estimate); annual growth rate more than 3.2 percent,
increasingly
tempered by impact of acquired immune deficiency syndrome
(AIDS).
Nearly one-half population under age fifteen. Nearly 10
percent
urban, almost half in Kampala. Density varies from more
than 120
inhabitants per square kilometer in far southeast and
southwest
to fewer than 30 inhabitants per square kilometer in
northcentral region.
Languages: Three major language families found
in
Uganda--Bantu, Central Sudanic, and Nilotic. Lake Kyoga
rough
boundary between Bantu-speakers in south and Nilotic- and
Central
Sudanic-speakers of north. Official language: English.
Swahili
and Arabic also widely spoken.
Religion: 66 percent Christian, equally divided
between
Roman Catholics and Protestants; largest Protestant
denomination
Anglican (Episcopal). About 15 percent Muslim. Remainder
traditional or no religion.
Education: Education not compulsory but highly
regarded. Four levels: primary of seven years; lower
secondary of
three or four years; upper secondary of two years; and
postsecondary consisting of university, teachers'
colleges, or
commercial training. Pupils share expenses with central
government on primary and lower secondary levels;
thereafter,
education free. 1989 primary enrollment more than 2.5
million;
secondary, 265,000. Adult literacy rate 50 percent or
more.
Health: Large number of infectious diseases,
including
measles, pertussis, respiratory tract infections, anemia,
tetanus, malaria, and tuberculosis. Incidence of AIDS
quite high,
reaching epidemic proportions in southern areas. Uganda
had
20,000 hospital beds, more than 600 health centers, and
about 700
doctors in late 1980s. Low expenditures on health care and
facilities. Life expectancy in 1989 about fifty-three
years.
Data as of December 1990
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