Society of Uganda

KEY FACTS 2015

Population per sq km:  194

Life expectancy:  62 years

Net primary enrolment: 84%

Population: 39,032,000 (2015); 15 per cent of people live in urban areas and 5 per cent in urban agglomerations of more than a million people; growth 3.3 per cent p.a. 1990–2015; birth rate 43 per 1,000 people (49 in 1970); life expectancy 62 years (50 in 1970 and 48 in 1990).

The majority of the population consists of Bantu peoples (Baganda 17 per cent, Banyankore ten per cent, Basoga eight per cent, Bakiga seven per cent, Bagisu five per cent and Bunyoro three per cent) in the west, south and east; and most of the rest of Nilotic peoples (Iteso seven per cent, Langi six per cent, Acholi five per cent, Lugbara four per cent, Alur, Karimojong and Kakwa) in the north and parts of the east; with minorities of Asians and refugees from neighbouring countries (2002 census).

Language: The official languages are English and Kiswahili; Kiswahili and Luganda are widely spoken and there are several other African languages.

Religion: Mainly Christians (Roman Catholics 42 per cent, Anglicans 36 per cent, Pentecostals five per cent), Muslims 12 per cent, and most of the rest holding traditional beliefs, which often coexist with other religions (2002 census).

Media: English-language dailies include New Vision (state-owned) and Daily Monitor. The East African and The Observer are published weekly.

Uganda Broadcasting Corporation operates public radio and TV services and, since liberalisation of the media in 1993, many private radio stations and TV channels have been launched.

Public holidays: New Year’s Day, Liberation Day (26 January), International Women’s Day (8 March), Labour Day (1 May), Uganda Martyrs’ Day (3 June), National Heroes’ Day (9 June), Independence Day (9 October), Christmas Day and Boxing Day,

Religious festivals whose dates vary from year to year include Good Friday, Easter Monday, Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan) and Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice).