Uganda Profile


Uganda Profile

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Uganda has rightly been called the 'Pearl of Africa' for its unspoilt natural beauty and the warmth of its people. However in many ways its a stalled country with most of its population living below the poverty line in mud built homes without access to basic services such as water, electricity and sanitation. Recent oil discoveries may pump much needed investment into Uganda's infrastructure however, in many other African nations the onset of oil revenue has generated new social and political instability. Before independence from the UK in 1962, Uganda was not a country, rather a loose grouping of ethnic tribes and kingdoms with an equally large number of systems of governance. The largest such grouping is in Buganda, a sub kingdom within Uganda which has its own monarch, the Kabaka. Buganda occupies the central region of Uganda including its capital, Kampala.



Following independence Milton Obote became executive Prime Minister with the Kabaka of Buganda, Mutesa, becoming ceremonial president. Within a few years Obote became implicated together with the deputy commander of the armed forces, one Idi Amin, in a plot to smuggle gold, coffee and ivory out of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Refusing to bow to any investigation, Obote acted swiftly to secure his power. He suspended the constitution, declared himself president and ordered a state of emergency with many former cabinet members being arrested and detained. Obote then had his newly appointed Chief of Staff, Idi Amin, storm the president's palace sending Kabaka Mutesa into exile and he passed a new constitution ending Buganda's autonomy and the creation of an all powerful president, himself. There followed decades of harsh rule with life in Uganda becoming even more severe after Obete was ousted by Idi Amin however a further coup in 1986 installed the leader of the National Resistance Army, Yoweri Museveni, as president and since that time Uganda has made significant social and economic progress
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Street Children in Egypt


However, after decades of conflict the country, with scarce natural resources in the first place, continues to be one of the poorest countries in the world with sub standard health care, high rates of malnutrition and diseases such as malaria rampant, assisted by less than half of those living in Uganda having access to safe drinking water. Today Uganda is in 159th place out of 186 countries and territories in 2020 when ranked in terms of life expectancy, literacy, access to knowledge and the living standards of a country with a life expectancy of 64 yrs. For more about Uganda check out our profile pages below.




Uganda Profile: Volunteer in Uganda

African Volunteer Work: Uganda


Check out all the latest fee paying and free African volunteer work placements and charity work job opportunities abroad with local projects and volunteering organisations in Uganda.

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Uganda Profile: Uganda History

Uganda History


A brief overview of the history of Uganda including a timeline from independence to the present day including photographs and video.

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Uganda Profile: Life in Uganda

Life in Uganda


Facts and figures about daily life in Uganda today including its Human Development Index ranking and video documentary about life there.

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Uganda Profile: Children in Uganda

Children in Uganda


Find out more about children's lives in Uganda in pictures and video together with facts and figures.

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Uganda Profile: Uganda Education

Uganda Education


A facts and figures profile about the education system for children in Uganda including primary and secondary education where many volunteer opportunities are available.

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Uganda Profile: Street Children

Street Children in Uganda


Information and video about daily life for street children in Uganda together with details of a Ugandan run NGO working with these vulnerable young people that offers outreach placements where you can volunteer.

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Uganda Profile: Child Trafficking

Uganda Child Trafficking


Many Ugandan children are trafficked internally and abroad with Uganda being a Tier 2 country for child trafficking.

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Uganda Profile: Uganda Water

Uganda Water


A video documentary and facts and figures about the water situation in Uganda, a country that is likely to become water stressed within a decade.

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Uganda Profile: Kampala Profile

Kampala Profile


A complete profile of Kampala, the capital city of Uganda including Kampala information, facts, pictures and tourist attractions.

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Uganda Profile: Lord's Resistance Army

Lord's Resistance Army


The Lord's Resistance Army, led by Joseph Kony, was an armed rebellion including child soldiers against the Ugandan government but is now considered a spent force.

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Uganda Profile: Uganda Images

Uganda Images


Pictures and images of Uganda captured on video and camera showing the finest of the country from its gorillas to images of daily life.

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Uganda Profile: Uganda Quiz

Uganda Quiz


Take our online trivia quiz about Uganda and see how much you know about Uganda together with some innteresting facts about the country.

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Uganda Profile: Sponsor a Child

Child Sponsor Africa: Uganda


Details of how to sponsor children in Uganda with Ugandan child sponsor organisations, charities, programs and projects.

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Uganda Profile: Uganda Map

Uganda Map


Use this Google Earth satellite map of Uganda in Africa to explore and take a virtual tour of Uganda and zoom in on places of interest.

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Uganda Profile: Uganda News

Uganda News


Read all the latest and breaking news from Uganda here at our Uganda profile page. Updated daily.

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