Education in Uganda

Background information

Uganda is a landlocked country located in the eastern part of Africa.  It has a total surface of 241,039 square kilometers.  It is bordered to the north by Sudan, to the east by Kenya, to the south by Tanzania, to southwest by Rwanda and to the west by the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Uganda became in depended in 1962.  However, it went through a turbulent political history for about two decades marked by coups and military dictatorship that slowed its socio-economic growth.  It is not until 1986, when the National Resistance Movement (NRM) took over power, that the country started enjoying peace.  Since, it has recorded significant growth in various sectors of the economy.  It recorded an economic growth 5.3 per cent in 2005/6 and this is expected to rise to 5.6 per cent in 2006/7.  Similarly, it recorded an inflation rate of 5.3 per cent.

Agriculture is the mainstay of the economy, accounting for more than 50 per cent of the GDP.  According to the 2002 Housing and Population Census, Uganda has a population of 24.4 million people.  However, recent estimates put the population at 28 million as of 2006, with 50 per cent being children under 14 years.  Literacy rate is 68 per cent, with 76 per cent for males and 61 per cent for females.  English is the official language, however, Ganda or Luganda and Kiswahili are also widely spoken.

Although the country has operated a no-party system in the past 20 years, a national referendum held in July 2005 paved the way for the introduction of multiparty politics in the country.