Uganda achieved independence from the UK in 1962. Read More… Uganda achieved independence from the UK in 1962. The dictatorial regime of Idi AMIN (1971-79) was responsible for the deaths of some 300,000 opponents; guerrilla war and human rights abuses under Milton OBOTE (1980-85) claimed at least another 100,000 lives. During the 1990s, the government promulgated non-party presidential and legislative elections.

Population: 27,269,482

Literacy: 69.9%

Life expectancy: 51.59 years

People living with AIDS: 530,000 (2001 est.)

Population living below poverty: 35% (2001 est.)

Land use:arable land: 25.88%

Permanent crops: 10.65%

Other: 63.47% (2001)

Natural resources: copper, cobalt, hydropower, limestone, salt, arable land