Uganda vs. Rwanda
Introduction
Uganda | Rwanda | |
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Background | British influence in Uganda began in the 1860s with explorers seeking the source of the Nile and expanded in subsequent decades with various trade agreements and the establishment of the Uganda Protectorate in 1894. The colonial boundaries created by Britain to delimit Uganda grouped together a wide range of ethnic groups with different political systems and cultures. These differences complicated the establishment of a working political community after independence was achieved 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. The rule of Yoweri MUSEVENI since 1986 has brought relative stability and economic growth to Uganda. In December 2017, parliament approved the removal of presidential age limits, thereby making it possible for MUSEVENI to continue standing for office. Uganda faces numerous challenges, however, that could affect future stability, including explosive population growth, power and infrastructure constraints, corruption, underdeveloped democratic institutions, and human rights deficits. | A Rwandan kingdom dominated the region from the mid-18th century onward, with the Tutsi rulers conquering others militarily, centralizing power, and increasingly enacting anti-Hutu policies. German colonial rule began in 1898, but Belgian forces captured Rwanda in 1916 during World War I. Both European nations ruled through the kings and pursued a pro-Tutsi policy. In 1959, three years before independence from Belgium, the majority ethnic group, the Hutus, overthrew the ruling Tutsi king. Over the next several years, thousands of Tutsis were killed, and some 150,000 driven into exile in neighboring countries. The children of these exiles later formed a rebel group, the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF), and began a civil war in 1990. The war, along with several political and economic upheavals, exacerbated ethnic tensions, culminating in April 1994 in a state-orchestrated genocide, in which Rwandans killed approximately 800,000 of their fellow citizens, including approximately three-quarters of the Tutsi population. The genocide ended later that same year when the predominantly Tutsi RPF, operating out of Uganda and northern Rwanda, defeated the national army and Hutu militias, and established an RPF-led government of national unity. Rwanda held its first local elections in 1999 and its first post-genocide presidential and legislative elections in 2003. Rwanda joined the Commonwealth in late 2009. President Paul KAGAME won the presidential election in August 2017 after changing the constitution in 2016 to allow him to run for a third term. |
Geography
Uganda | Rwanda | |
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Location | East-Central Africa, west of Kenya, east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo | Central Africa, east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, north of Burundi |
Geographic coordinates | 1 00 N, 32 00 E | 2 00 S, 30 00 E |
Map references | Africa | Africa |
Area | total: 241,038 sq km land: 197,100 sq km water: 43,938 sq km | total: 26,338 sq km land: 24,668 sq km water: 1,670 sq km |
Area - comparative | slightly more than two times the size of Pennsylvania; slightly smaller than Oregon | slightly smaller than Maryland |
Land boundaries | total: 2,729 km border countries (5): Democratic Republic of the Congo 877 km, Kenya 814 km, Rwanda 172 km, South Sudan 475 km, Tanzania 391 km | total: 930 km border countries (4): Burundi 315 km, Democratic Republic of the Congo 221 km, Tanzania 222 km, Uganda 172 km |
Coastline | 0 km (landlocked) | 0 km (landlocked) |
Maritime claims | none (landlocked) | none (landlocked) |
Climate | tropical; generally rainy with two dry seasons (December to February, June to August); semiarid in northeast | temperate; two rainy seasons (February to April, November to January); mild in mountains with frost and snow possible |
Terrain | mostly plateau with rim of mountains | mostly grassy uplands and hills; relief is mountainous with altitude declining from west to east |
Elevation extremes | highest point: Margherita Peak on Mount Stanley 5,110 m lowest point: Albert Nile 614 m | highest point: Volcan Karisimbi 4,519 m lowest point: Rusizi River 950 m mean elevation: 1,598 m |
Natural resources | copper, cobalt, hydropower, limestone, salt, arable land, gold | gold, cassiterite (tin ore), wolframite (tungsten ore), methane, hydropower, arable land |
Land use | agricultural land: 71.2% (2018 est.) arable land: 34.3% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 11.3% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 25.6% (2018 est.) forest: 14.5% (2018 est.) other: 14.3% (2018 est.) | agricultural land: 74.5% (2018 est.) arable land: 47% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 10.1% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 17.4% (2018 est.) forest: 18% (2018 est.) other: 7.5% (2018 est.) |
Irrigated land | 140 sq km (2012) | 96 sq km (2012) |
Natural hazards | droughts; floods; earthquakes; landslides; hailstorms | periodic droughts; the volcanic Virunga Mountains are in the northwest along the border with Democratic Republic of the Congo volcanism: Visoke (3,711 m), located on the border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo, is the country's only historically active volcano |
Environment - current issues | draining of wetlands for agricultural use; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; water pollution from industrial discharge and water hyacinth infestation in Lake Victoria; widespread poaching | deforestation results from uncontrolled cutting of trees for fuel; overgrazing; land degradation; soil erosion; a decline in soil fertility (soil exhaustion); wetland degradation and loss of biodiversity; widespread poaching |
Environment - international agreements | party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification | party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea |
Geography - note | landlocked; fertile, well-watered country with many lakes and rivers; Lake Victoria, the world's largest tropical lake and the second largest fresh water lake, is shared among three countries: Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda | landlocked; most of the country is intensively cultivated and rugged with the population predominantly rural |
Total renewable water resources | 60.1 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) | 13.3 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) |
Population distribution | population density is relatively high in comparison to other African nations; most of the population is concentrated in the central and southern parts of the country, particularly along the shores of Lake Victoria and Lake Albert; the northeast is least populated as shown in this population distribution map | one of Africa's most densely populated countries; large concentrations tend to be in the central regions and along the shore of Lake Kivu in the west as shown in this population distribution map |
Demographics
Uganda | Rwanda | |
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Population | 44,712,143 (July 2021 est.) note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected | 12,943,132 (July 2021 est.) note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected |
Age structure | 0-14 years: 48.21% (male 10,548,913/female 10,304,876) 15-24 years: 20.25% (male 4,236,231/female 4,521,698) 25-54 years: 26.24% (male 5,202,570/female 6,147,304) 55-64 years: 2.91% (male 579,110/female 681,052) 65 years and over: 2.38% (male 442,159/female 589,053) (2020 est.) | 0-14 years: 39.95% (male 2,564,893/female 2,513,993) 15-24 years: 20.1% (male 1,280,948/female 1,273,853) 25-54 years: 33.06% (male 2,001,629/female 2,201,132) 55-64 years: 4.24% (male 241,462/female 298,163) 65 years and over: 2.65% (male 134,648/female 201,710) (2020 est.) |
Median age | total: 15.7 years male: 14.9 years female: 16.5 years (2020 est.) | total: 19.7 years male: 18.9 years female: 20.4 years (2020 est.) |
Population growth rate | 3.31% (2021 est.) | 1.8% (2021 est.) |
Birth rate | 41.6 births/1,000 population (2021 est.) | 27.18 births/1,000 population (2021 est.) |
Death rate | 5.17 deaths/1,000 population (2021 est.) | 5.95 deaths/1,000 population (2021 est.) |
Net migration rate | -3.37 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2021 est.) | -3.27 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2021 est.) |
Sex ratio | at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 0.94 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 0.85 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.85 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.75 male(s)/female total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2020 est.) | at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 0.91 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.81 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.67 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2020 est.) |
Infant mortality rate | total: 31.49 deaths/1,000 live births male: 34.98 deaths/1,000 live births female: 27.88 deaths/1,000 live births (2021 est.) | total: 27.16 deaths/1,000 live births male: 29.73 deaths/1,000 live births female: 24.52 deaths/1,000 live births (2021 est.) |
Life expectancy at birth | total population: 68.58 years male: 66.34 years female: 70.9 years (2021 est.) | total population: 65.48 years male: 63.55 years female: 67.47 years (2021 est.) |
Total fertility rate | 5.45 children born/woman (2021 est.) | 3.42 children born/woman (2021 est.) |
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate | 5.4% (2020 est.) | 2.5% (2020 est.) |
Nationality | noun: Ugandan(s) adjective: Ugandan | noun: Rwandan(s) adjective: Rwandan |
Ethnic groups | Baganda 16.5%, Banyankole 9.6%, Basoga 8.8%, Bakiga 7.1%, Iteso 7%, Langi 6.3%, Bagisu 4.9%, Acholi 4.4%, Lugbara 3.3%, other 32.1% (2014 est.) | Hutu, Tutsi, Twa (Pygmy) |
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS | 1.4 million (2020 est.) | 220,000 (2020 est.) |
Religions | Protestant 45.1% (Anglican 32.0%, Pentecostal/Born Again/Evangelical 11.1%, Seventh Day Adventist 1.7%, Baptist .3%), Roman Catholic 39.3%, Muslim 13.7%, other 1.6%, none 0.2% (2014 est.) | Protestant 49.5% (includes Adventist 11.8% and other Protestant 37.7%), Roman Catholic 43.7%, Muslim 2%, other 0.9% (includes Jehovah's Witness), none 2.5%, unspecified 1.3% (2012 est.) |
HIV/AIDS - deaths | 22,000 (2020 est.) | 2,500 (2020 est.) |
Languages | English (official language, taught in schools, used in courts of law and by most newspapers and some radio broadcasts), Ganda or Luganda (most widely used of the Niger-Congo languages and the language used most often in the capital), other Niger-Congo languages, Nilo-Saharan languages, Swahili (official), Arabic | Kinyarwanda (official, universal Bantu vernacular) 93.2%, French (official) <0.1, English (official) <0.1, Swahili/Kiswahili (official, used in commercial centers) <0.1, more than one language, other 6.3%, unspecified 0.3% (2002 est.) major-language sample(s): Inkoranya nzimbuzi y'isi, isoko fatizo y'amakuru y'ibanze. (Kinyarwanda) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. |
Literacy | definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 76.5% male: 82.7% female: 70.8% (2018) | definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 73.2% male: 77.6% female: 69.4% (2018) |
Major infectious diseases | degree of risk: very high (2020) food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: malaria, dengue fever, and Trypanosomiasis-Gambiense (African sleeping sickness) water contact diseases: schistosomiasis animal contact diseases: rabies | degree of risk: very high (2020) food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: malaria and dengue fever animal contact diseases: rabies |
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) | total: 10 years male: 10 years female: 10 years (2011) | total: 11 years male: 11 years female: 11 years (2019) |
Education expenditures | 2.1% of GDP (2018) | 3.1% of GDP (2018) |
Urbanization | urban population: 25.6% of total population (2021) rate of urbanization: 5.41% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) | urban population: 17.6% of total population (2021) rate of urbanization: 3.07% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) |
Drinking water source | improved: urban: 92.9% of population rural: 77.2% of population total: 80.8% of population unimproved: urban: 7.1% of population rural: 22.8% of population total: 19.2% of population (2017 est.) | improved: urban: 92% of population rural: 76.9% of population total: 79.5% of population unimproved: urban: 8% of population rural: 23.1% of population total: 20.5% of population (2017 est.) |
Sanitation facility access | improved: urban: 67.8% of population rural: 26.6% of population total: 36.2% of population unimproved: urban: 32.2% of population rural: 73.4% of population total: 63.8% of population (2017 est.) | improved: urban: 88.4% of population rural: 79.4% of population total: 80.9% of population unimproved: urban: 11.6% of population rural: 20.6% of population total: 19.1% of population (2017 est.) |
Major cities - population | 3.470 million KAMPALA (capital) (2021) | 1.170 million KIGALI (capital) (2021) |
Maternal mortality rate | 375 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) | 248 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) |
Children under the age of 5 years underweight | 10.4% (2016) | 7.7% (2019/20) |
Health expenditures | 6.5% (2018) | 7.5% (2018) |
Physicians density | 0.17 physicians/1,000 population (2017) | 0.13 physicians/1,000 population (2018) |
Obesity - adult prevalence rate | 5.3% (2016) | 5.8% (2016) |
Mother's mean age at first birth | 19.4 years (2016 est.) note: median age at first birth among women 20-49 | 22.7 years (2014/15 est.) note: median age at first birth among women 25-49 |
Demographic profile | Uganda has one of the youngest and most rapidly growing populations in the world; its total fertility rate is among the world's highest at 5.8 children per woman. Except in urban areas, actual fertility exceeds women's desired fertility by one or two children, which is indicative of the widespread unmet need for contraception, lack of government support for family planning, and a cultural preference for large families. High numbers of births, short birth intervals, and the early age of childbearing contribute to Uganda's high maternal mortality rate. Gender inequities also make fertility reduction difficult; women on average are less-educated, participate less in paid employment, and often have little say in decisions over childbearing and their own reproductive health. However, even if the birth rate were significantly reduced, Uganda's large pool of women entering reproductive age ensures rapid population growth for decades to come. Unchecked, population increase will further strain the availability of arable land and natural resources and overwhelm the country's limited means for providing food, employment, education, health care, housing, and basic services. The country's north and northeast lag even further behind developmentally than the rest of the country as a result of long-term conflict (the Ugandan Bush War 1981-1986 and more than 20 years of fighting between the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) and Ugandan Government forces), ongoing inter-communal violence, and periodic natural disasters. Uganda has been both a source of refugees and migrants and a host country for refugees. In 1972, then President Idi AMIN, in his drive to return Uganda to Ugandans, expelled the South Asian population that composed a large share of the country's business people and bankers. Since the 1970s, thousands of Ugandans have emigrated, mainly to southern Africa or the West, for security reasons, to escape poverty, to search for jobs, and for access to natural resources. The emigration of Ugandan doctors and nurses due to low wages is a particular concern given the country's shortage of skilled health care workers. Africans escaping conflicts in neighboring states have found refuge in Uganda since the 1950s; the country currently struggles to host tens of thousands from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Sudan, and other nearby countries. | Rwanda's fertility rate declined sharply during the last decade, as a result of the government's commitment to family planning, the increased use of contraceptives, and a downward trend in ideal family size. Increases in educational attainment, particularly among girls, and exposure to social media also contributed to the reduction in the birth rate. The average number of births per woman decreased from a 5.6 in 2005 to 4.5 in 2016. Despite these significant strides in reducing fertility, Rwanda's birth rate remains very high and will continue to for an extended period of time because of its large population entering reproductive age. Because Rwanda is one of the most densely populated countries in Africa, its persistent high population growth and increasingly small agricultural landholdings will put additional strain on families' ability to raise foodstuffs and access potable water. These conditions will also hinder the government's efforts to reduce poverty and prevent environmental degradation. The UNHCR recommended that effective 30 June 2013 countries invoke a cessation of refugee status for those Rwandans who fled their homeland between 1959 and 1998, including the 1994 genocide, on the grounds that the conditions that drove them to seek protection abroad no longer exist. The UNHCR's decision is controversial because many Rwandan refugees still fear persecution if they return home, concerns that are supported by the number of Rwandans granted asylum since 1998 and by the number exempted from the cessation. Rwandan refugees can still seek an exemption or local integration, but host countries are anxious to send the refugees back to Rwanda and are likely to avoid options that enable them to stay. Conversely, Rwanda itself hosts almost 160,000 refugees as of 2017; virtually all of them fleeing conflict in neighboring Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. |
Contraceptive prevalence rate | 41.8% (2018) | 53.2% (2014/15) |
Dependency ratios | total dependency ratio: 92.3 youth dependency ratio: 88.5 elderly dependency ratio: 3.8 potential support ratio: 26.2 (2020 est.) | total dependency ratio: 74.2 youth dependency ratio: 68.8 elderly dependency ratio: 5.4 potential support ratio: 18.4 (2020 est.) |
Government
Uganda | Rwanda | |
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Country name | conventional long form: Republic of Uganda conventional short form: Uganda etymology: from the name "Buganda," adopted by the British as the designation for their East African colony in 1894; Buganda had been a powerful East African state during the 18th and 19th centuries | conventional long form: Republic of Rwanda conventional short form: Rwanda local long form: Republika y'u Rwanda local short form: Rwanda former: Ruanda, German East Africa etymology: the name translates as "domain" in the native Kinyarwanda language |
Government type | presidential republic | presidential republic |
Capital | name: Kampala geographic coordinates: 0 19 N, 32 33 E time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: the site of the original British settlement was referred to by its native name as Akasozi ke'Empala ("hill of the impala" [plural]); over time this designation was shortened to K'empala and finally Kampala | name: Kigali geographic coordinates: 1 57 S, 30 03 E time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: the city takes its name from nearby Mount Kigali; the name "Kigali" is composed of the Bantu prefix "ki" and the Rwandan "gali" meaning "broad" and likely refers to the broad, sprawling hill that has been dignified with the title of "mount" |
Administrative divisions | 134 districts and 1 capital city*; Abim, Adjumani, Agago, Alebtong, Amolatar, Amudat, Amuria, Amuru, Apac, Arua, Budaka, Bududa, Bugiri, Bugweri, Buhweju, Buikwe, Bukedea, Bukomansimbi, Bukwo, Bulambuli, Buliisa, Bundibugyo, Bunyangabu, Bushenyi, Busia, Butaleja, Butambala, Butebo, Buvuma, Buyende, Dokolo, Gomba, Gulu, Hoima, Ibanda, Iganga, Isingiro, Jinja, Kaabong, Kabale, Kabarole, Kaberamaido, Kagadi, Kakumiro, Kalaki, Kalangala, Kaliro, Kalungu, Kampala*, Kamuli, Kamwenge, Kanungu, Kapchorwa, Kapelebyong, Karenga, Kasese, Kasanda, Katakwi, Kayunga, Kazo, Kibaale, Kiboga, Kibuku, Kikuube, Kiruhura, Kiryandongo, Kisoro, Kitagwenda, Kitgum, Koboko, Kole, Kotido, Kumi, Kwania, Kween, Kyankwanzi, Kyegegwa, Kyenjojo, Kyotera, Lamwo, Lira, Luuka, Luwero, Lwengo, Lyantonde, Madi-Okollo, Manafwa, Maracha, Masaka, Masindi, Mayuge, Mbale, Mbarara, Mitooma, Mityana, Moroto, Moyo, Mpigi, Mubende, Mukono, Nabilatuk, Nakapiripirit, Nakaseke, Nakasongola, Namayingo, Namisindwa, Namutumba, Napak, Nebbi, Ngora, Ntoroko, Ntungamo, Nwoya, Obongi, Omoro, Otuke, Oyam, Pader, Pakwach, Pallisa, Rakai, Rubanda, Rubirizi, Rukiga, Rukungiri, Rwampara, Sembabule, Serere, Sheema, Sironko, Soroti, Tororo, Wakiso, Yumbe, Zombo | 4 provinces (in French - provinces, singular - province; in Kinyarwanda - intara for singular and plural) and 1 city* (in French - ville; in Kinyarwanda - umujyi); Est (Eastern), Kigali*, Nord (Northern), Ouest (Western), Sud (Southern) |
Independence | 9 October 1962 (from the UK) | 1 July 1962 (from Belgium-administered UN trusteeship) |
National holiday | Independence Day, 9 October (1962) | Independence Day, 1 July (1962) |
Constitution | history: several previous; latest adopted 27 September 1995, promulgated 8 October 1995 amendments: proposed by the National Assembly; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote of the Assembly membership in the second and third readings; proposals affecting "entrenched clauses," including the sovereignty of the people, supremacy of the constitution, human rights and freedoms, the democratic and multiparty form of government, presidential term of office, independence of the judiciary, and the institutions of traditional or cultural leaders, also requires passage by referendum, ratification by at least two-thirds majority vote of district council members in at least two thirds of Uganda's districts, and assent ofthe president of the republic; amended several times, last in 2017 (2021) | history: several previous; latest adopted by referendum 26 May 2003, effective 4 June 2003 amendments: proposed by the president of the republic (with Council of Ministers approval) or by two-thirds majority vote of both houses of Parliament; passage requires at least three-quarters majority vote in both houses; changes to constitutional articles on national sovereignty, the presidential term, the form and system of government, and political pluralism also require approval in a referendum; amended several times, last in 2015 |
Legal system | mixed legal system of English common law and customary law | mixed legal system of civil law, based on German and Belgian models, and customary law; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court |
Suffrage | 18 years of age; universal | 18 years of age; universal |
Executive branch | chief of state: President Yoweri Kaguta MUSEVENI (since seizing power on 26 January 1986; re-elected for sixth term on 14 January 2021); Vice President Jessica Rose Epel ALUPO (since 21 June 2021); Prime Minister Robinah NABBANJA (since 21 June 2021); First Deputy Prime Minister Rebecca KADAGA (since 24 June 2021); Second Deputy Prime Minister Moses ALI (since 21 June 2021); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government head of government: President Yoweri Kaguta MUSEVENI (since seizing power on 26 January 1986; re-elected for sixth term on 14 January 2021); Vice President Jessica Rose Epel ALUPO (since 21 June 2021); Prime Minister Robinah NABBANJA (since 21 June 2021); First Deputy Prime Minister Rebecca KADAGA (since 24 June 2021); Second Deputy Prime Minister Moses ALI (since 21 June 2021) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president from among elected members of the National Assembly or persons who qualify to be elected as members of the National Assembly elections/appointments: president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (no term limits); election last held on 14 January 2021 (next to be held in 2026) election results: Yoweri Kaguta MUSEVENI reelected president in the first round; percent of vote - Yoweri Kaguta MUSEVENI (NRM) 58.6%, Bobi WINE (NUP) 34.8%, Patrick Oboi AMURIAT (FDC) 3.2%, other 3.4% head of state: President Yoweri Kaguta MUSEVENI (since seizing power on 26 January 1986); Vice President Jessica Rose Epel ALUPO (since 21 June 2021); note - the president is both head of state and head of government | chief of state: President Paul KAGAME (since 22 April 2000) head of government: Prime Minister Edouard NGIRENTE (since 30 August 2017) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections/appointments: president directly elected by simple majority vote for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); note - a constitutional amendment approved in December 2016 reduced the presidential term from 7 to 5 years but included an exception that allowed President KAGAME to serve another 7-year term in 2017, potentially followed by two additional 5-year terms; election last held on 4 August 2017 (next to be held in August 2024); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Paul KAGAME reelected president; Paul KAGAME (RPF) 98.8%, Philippe MPAYIMANA (independent) 0.7%, Frank HABINEZA (DGPR)0.5% |
Legislative branch | description: unicameral National Assembly or Parliament (445 seats; 290 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote, 112 for women directly elected in single-seat districts by simple majority vote, and 25 "representatives" reserved for special interest groups - army 10, disabled 5, youth 5, labor 5; up to 18 ex officio members appointed by the president; members serve 5-year terms) elections: last held on 18 February 2016 (next to be held in February 2021) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NRM 292, FDC 37, DP 5, UPDF 10, UPC 6, independent 66 (excludes 19 ex-officio members) | description: bicameral Parliament consists of: Senate or Senat (26 seats; 12 members indirectly elected by local councils, 8 appointed by the president, 4 appointed by the Political Organizations Forum - a body of registered political parties, and 2 selected by institutions of higher learning; members serve 8-year terms) Chamber of Deputies or Chambre des Deputes (80 seats; 53 members directly elected by proportional representation vote, 24 women selected by special interest groups, and 3 selected by youth and disability organizations; members serve 5-year terms) elections: Senate - last held on 16-18 September 2019 (next to be held in 2027) Chamber of Deputies - last held on 3 September 2018 (next to be held in September 2023) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA; composition - men 16, women 10, percent of women 38.5% Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Rwandan Patriotic Front Coalition 40, PSD 5, PL 4, other 4 indirectly elected 27; composition - men 26, women 54, percent of women 67.5%; note - total Parliament percent of women 60.4% |
Judicial branch | highest courts: Supreme Court of Uganda (consists of the chief justice and at least 6 justices) judge selection and term of office: justices appointed by the president of the republic in consultation with the Judicial Service Commission, an 8-member independent advisory body, and approved by the National Assembly; justices serve until mandatory retirement at age 70 subordinate courts: Court of Appeal (also acts as the Constitutional Court); High Court (includes 12 High Court Circuits and 8 High Court Divisions); Industrial Court; Chief Magistrate Grade One and Grade Two Courts throughout the country; qadhis courts; local council courts; family and children courts | highest courts: Supreme Court (consists of the chief and deputy chief justices and 15 judges; normally organized into 3-judge panels); High Court (consists of the court president, vice president, and a minimum of 24 judges and organized into 5 chambers) judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court judges nominated by the president after consultation with the Cabinet and the Superior Council of the Judiciary (SCJ), a 27-member body of judges, other judicial officials, and legal professionals) and approved by the Senate; chief and deputy chief justices appointed for 8-year nonrenewable terms; tenure of judges NA; High Court president and vice president appointed by the president of the republic upon approval by the Senate; judges appointed by the Supreme Court chief justice upon approval of the SCJ; judge tenure NA subordinate courts: High Court of the Republic; commercial courts including the High Commercial Court; intermediate courts; primary courts; and military specialized courts |
Political parties and leaders | Alliance for National Transformation or ANT [Ms. Alice ALASO, acting national coordinator]; note - Mugisha MUNTU resigned his position as ANT national coordinator in late June 2020 to run in the 2021 presidential election Activist Party [Stephen BAMPIGGA] Democratic Party or DP [Norbert MAO] Conservative Party [Walyemera Daniel MASUMBA] Forum for Democratic Change or FDC [Patrick Oboi AMURIAT] Justice Forum or JEEMA [Asuman BASALIRWA] National Resistance Movement or NRM [Yoweri MUSEVENI] Uganda People's Congress or UPC [James AKENA] National Unity Platform [Nkonge KIBALAMA] | Democratic Green Party of Rwanda or DGPR [Frank HABINEZA] Liberal Party or PL [Donatille MUKABALISA] Party for Progress and Concord or PPC [Dr. Alivera MUKABARAMBA] Party Imberakuri or PS-Imberakuri [Christine MUKABUNANI] Rwandan Patriotic Front or RPF [Paul KAGAME] Rwandan Patriotic Front Coalition (includes RPF, PPC) [Paul KAGAME] Social Democratic Party or PSD [Vincent BIRUTA] |
International organization participation | ACP, AfDB, AU, C, COMESA, EAC, EADB, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NAM, OIC, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO | ACP, AfDB, AU, C, CEPGL, COMESA, EAC, EADB, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINUSMA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNISFA, UNMISS, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO |
Diplomatic representation in the US | chief of mission: Ambassador Mull Sebujja KATENDE (since 8 September 2017) chancery: 5911 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20011 telephone: [1] (202) 726-7100 FAX: [1] (202) 726-1727 email address and website: washington@mofa.go.ug; info@ugandaembassysus.org; ambauganda@aol.com https://washington.mofa.go.ug/ | chief of mission: Ambassador Mathilde MUKANTABANA (since 18 July 2013) chancery: 1714 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 232-2882 FAX: [1] (202) 232-4544 email address and website: info@rwandaembassy.org https://rwandaembassy.org/ |
Diplomatic representation from the US | chief of mission: Ambassador Natalie E. BROWN (since 17 November 2020) embassy: 1577 Ggaba Road, Kampala mailing address: 2190 Kampala Place, Washington DC 20521-2190 telephone: [256] (0) 312-306-001 FAX: [256] (0) 414-259-794 email address and website: KampalaUScitizen@state.gov https://ug.usembassy.gov/ | chief of mission: Ambassador Peter H. VROOMAN (since 5 April 2018) embassy: 2657 Avenue de la Gendarmerie (Kaciyiru), P. O. Box 28 Kigali mailing address: 2210 Kigali Place, Washington DC 20521-2210 telephone: [250] 252 596-400 FAX: [250] 252 580-325 email address and website: consularkigali@state.gov https://rw.usembassy.gov/ |
Flag description | six equal horizontal bands of black (top), yellow, red, black, yellow, and red; a white disk is superimposed at the center and depicts a grey crowned crane (the national symbol) facing the hoist side; black symbolizes the African people, yellow sunshine and vitality, red African brotherhood; the crane was the military badge of Ugandan soldiers under the UK | three horizontal bands of sky blue (top, double width), yellow, and green, with a golden sun with 24 rays near the fly end of the blue band; blue represents happiness and peace, yellow economic development and mineral wealth, green hope of prosperity and natural resources; the sun symbolizes unity, as well as enlightenment and transparency from ignorance |
National anthem | name: Oh Uganda, Land of Beauty! lyrics/music: George Wilberforce KAKOMOA note: adopted 1962 | name: "Rwanda nziza" (Rwanda, Our Beautiful Country) lyrics/music: Faustin MURIGO/Jean-Bosco HASHAKAIMANA note: adopted 2001 |
International law organization participation | accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; accepts ICCt jurisdiction | has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt |
National symbol(s) | grey crowned crane; national colors: black, yellow, red | traditional woven basket with peaked lid; national colors: blue, yellow, green |
Citizenship | citizenship by birth: no citizenship by descent only: at least one parent or grandparent must be a native-born citizen of Uganda dual citizenship recognized: yes residency requirement for naturalization: an aggregate of 20 years and continuously for the last 2 years prior to applying for citizenship | citizenship by birth: no citizenship by descent only: the father must be a citizen of Rwanda; if the father is stateless or unknown, the mother must be a citizen dual citizenship recognized: no residency requirement for naturalization: 10 years |
Economy
Uganda | Rwanda | |
---|---|---|
Economy - overview | Uganda has substantial natural resources, including fertile soils, regular rainfall, substantial reserves of recoverable oil, and small deposits of copper, gold, and other minerals. Agriculture is one of the most important sectors of the economy, employing 72% of the work force. The country's export market suffered a major slump following the outbreak of conflict in South Sudan, but has recovered lately, largely due to record coffee harvests, which account for 16% of exports, and increasing gold exports, which account for 10% of exports. Uganda has a small industrial sector that is dependent on imported inputs such as refined oil and heavy equipment. Overall, productivity is hampered by a number of supply-side constraints, including insufficient infrastructure, lack of modern technology in agriculture, and corruption. Uganda's economic growth has slowed since 2016 as government spending and public debt has grown. Uganda's budget is dominated by energy and road infrastructure spending, while Uganda relies on donor support for long-term drivers of growth, including agriculture, health, and education. The largest infrastructure projects are externally financed through concessional loans, but at inflated costs. As a result, debt servicing for these loans is expected to rise. Oil revenues and taxes are expected to become a larger source of government funding as oil production starts in the next three to 10 years. Over the next three to five years, foreign investors are planning to invest $9 billion in production facilities projects, $4 billion in an export pipeline, as well as in a $2-3 billion refinery to produce petroleum products for the domestic and East African Community markets. Furthermore, the government is looking to build several hundred million dollars' worth of highway projects to the oil region. Uganda faces many economic challenges. Instability in South Sudan has led to a sharp increase in Sudanese refugees and is disrupting Uganda's main export market. Additional economic risks include: poor economic management, endemic corruption, and the government's failure to invest adequately in the health, education, and economic opportunities for a burgeoning young population. Uganda has one of the lowest electrification rates in Africa - only 22% of Ugandans have access to electricity, dropping to 10% in rural areas. | Rwanda is a rural, agrarian country with agriculture accounting for about 63% of export earnings, and with some mineral and agro-processing. Population density is high but, with the exception of the capital Kigali, is not concentrated in large cities - its 12 million people are spread out on a small amount of land (smaller than the state of Maryland). Tourism, minerals, coffee, and tea are Rwanda's main sources of foreign exchange. Despite Rwanda's fertile ecosystem, food production often does not keep pace with demand, requiring food imports. Energy shortages, instability in neighboring states, and lack of adequate transportation linkages to other countries continue to handicap private sector growth. The 1994 genocide decimated Rwanda's fragile economic base, severely impoverished the population, particularly women, and temporarily stalled the country's ability to attract private and external investment. However, Rwanda has made substantial progress in stabilizing and rehabilitating its economy well beyond pre-1994 levels. GDP has rebounded with an average annual growth of 6%-8% since 2003 and inflation has been reduced to single digits. In 2015, 39% of the population lived below the poverty line, according to government statistics, compared to 57% in 2006. The government has embraced an expansionary fiscal policy to reduce poverty by improving education, infrastructure, and foreign and domestic investment. Rwanda consistently ranks well for ease of doing business and transparency. The Rwandan Government is seeking to become a regional leader in information and communication technologies and aims to reach middle-income status by 2020 by leveraging the service industry. In 2012, Rwanda completed the first modern Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Kigali. The SEZ seeks to attract investment in all sectors, but specifically in agribusiness, information and communications, trade and logistics, mining, and construction. In 2016, the government launched an online system to give investors information about public land and its suitability for agricultural development. |
GDP (purchasing power parity) | $96.838 billion (2019 est.) $90.669 billion (2018 est.) $85.406 billion (2017 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars | $28.118 billion (2019 est.) $25.695 billion (2018 est.) $23.665 billion (2017 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars |
GDP - real growth rate | 4.8% (2017 est.) 2.3% (2016 est.) 5.7% (2015 est.) | 6.1% (2017 est.) 6% (2016 est.) 8.9% (2015 est.) |
GDP - per capita (PPP) | $2,187 (2019 est.) $2,122 (2018 est.) $2,075 (2017 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars | $2,227 (2019 est.) $2,089 (2018 est.) $1,975 (2017 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars |
GDP - composition by sector | agriculture: 28.2% (2017 est.) industry: 21.1% (2017 est.) services: 50.7% (2017 est.) | agriculture: 30.9% (2017 est.) industry: 17.6% (2017 est.) services: 51.5% (2017 est.) |
Population below poverty line | 21.4% (2016 est.) | 38.2% (2016 est.) |
Household income or consumption by percentage share | lowest 10%: 2.4% highest 10%: 36.1% (2009 est.) | lowest 10%: 2.1% highest 10%: 43.2% (2011 est.) |
Inflation rate (consumer prices) | 2.8% (2019 est.) 2.6% (2018 est.) 5.6% (2017 est.) | 3.3% (2019 est.) -0.3% (2018 est.) 8.4% (2017 est.) |
Labor force | 15.84 million (2015 est.) | 6.227 million (2017 est.) |
Labor force - by occupation | agriculture: 71% industry: 7% services: 22% (2013 est.) | agriculture: 75.3% industry: 6.7% services: 18% (2012 est.) |
Unemployment rate | 9.4% (2014 est.) | 2.7% (2014 est.) |
Distribution of family income - Gini index | 42.8 (2016 est.) 45.7 (2002) | 43.7 (2016 est.) 51.3 (2010 est.) |
Budget | revenues: 3.848 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 4.928 billion (2017 est.) | revenues: 1.943 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 2.337 billion (2017 est.) |
Industries | sugar processing, brewing, tobacco, cotton textiles; cement, steel production | cement, agricultural products, small-scale beverages, soap, furniture, shoes, plastic goods, textiles, cigarettes |
Industrial production growth rate | 4.4% (2017 est.) | 4.2% (2017 est.) |
Agriculture - products | sugar cane, plantains, cassava, maize, sweet potatoes, milk, vegetables, beans, bananas, sorghum | bananas, sweet potatoes, cassava, potatoes, plantains, beans, maize, gourds, milk, taro |
Exports | $7.686 billion (2019 est.) $6.511 billion (2018 est.) $5.958 billion (2017 est.) | $1.05 billion (2017 est.) $745 million (2016 est.) |
Exports - commodities | gold, coffee, milk, fish and fish products, tobacco (2019) | gold, refined petroleum, coffee, tea, tin (2019) |
Exports - partners | United Arab Emirates 58%, Kenya 9% (2019) | United Arab Emirates 35%, Democratic Republic of the Congo 28%, Uganda 5% (2019) |
Imports | $9.991 billion (2019 est.) $8.006 billion (2018 est.) $7.44 billion (2017 est.) | $1.922 billion (2017 est.) $2.036 billion (2016 est.) |
Imports - commodities | packaged medicines, aircraft, delivery trucks, cars, wheat (2019) | refined petroleum, gold, raw sugar, packaged medicines, broadcasting equipment (2019) |
Imports - partners | China 19%, India 17%, Kenya 16%, United Arab Emirates 7%, Japan 5% (2019) | China 17%, Kenya 10%, Tanzania 9%, United Arab Emirates 9%, India 7%, Saudi Arabia 5% (2019) |
Debt - external | $13.85 billion (2019 est.) $12.187 billion (2018 est.) $6.241 billion (31 December 2016 est.) | $3.258 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $2.611 billion (31 December 2016 est.) |
Exchange rates | Ugandan shillings (UGX) per US dollar - 3,680 (2020 est.) 3,685 (2019 est.) 3,735 (2018 est.) 3,234.1 (2014 est.) 2,599.8 (2013 est.) | Rwandan francs (RWF) per US dollar - 839.1 (2017 est.) 787.25 (2016 est.) 787.25 (2015 est.) 720.54 (2014 est.) 680.95 (2013 est.) |
Fiscal year | 1 July - 30 June | calendar year |
Public debt | 40% of GDP (2017 est.) 37.4% of GDP (2016 est.) | 40.5% of GDP (2017 est.) 37.3% of GDP (2016 est.) |
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold | $3.654 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $3.034 billion (31 December 2016 est.) note: excludes gold | $997.6 million (31 December 2017 est.) $1.104 billion (31 December 2016 est.) |
Current Account Balance | -$1.212 billion (2017 est.) -$707 million (2016 est.) | -$622 million (2017 est.) -$1.336 billion (2016 est.) |
GDP (official exchange rate) | $34.683 billion (2019 est.) | $9.136 billion (2017 est.) |
Credit ratings | Fitch rating: B+ (2015) Moody's rating: B2 (2016) Standard & Poors rating: B (2014) | Fitch rating: B+ (2014) Moody's rating: B2 (2016) Standard & Poors rating: B+ (2019) |
Ease of Doing Business Index scores | Overall score: 60 (2020) Starting a Business score: 71.4 (2020) Trading score: 66.7 (2020) Enforcement score: 60.6 (2020) | Overall score: 76.5 (2020) Starting a Business score: 93.2 (2020) Trading score: 75 (2020) Enforcement score: 69.1 (2020) |
Taxes and other revenues | 14.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.) | 21.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.) |
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-) | -4.1% (of GDP) (2017 est.) | -4.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.) |
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24 | total: 14.8% male: 12.7% female: 17.3% (2017 est.) | total: 20.5% male: 18.8% female: 22.4% (2019 est.) |
GDP - composition, by end use | household consumption: 74.3% (2017 est.) government consumption: 8% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 23.9% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 0.3% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 18.8% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -25.1% (2017 est.) | household consumption: 75.9% (2017 est.) government consumption: 15.2% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 22.9% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 0.5% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 18.2% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -32.8% (2017 est.) |
Gross national saving | 22.2% of GDP (2019 est.) 21.3% of GDP (2018 est.) 23.6% of GDP (2017 est.) | 12.5% of GDP (2018 est.) 15.5% of GDP (2017 est.) 7.5% of GDP (2015 est.) |
Energy
Uganda | Rwanda | |
---|---|---|
Electricity - production | 3.463 billion kWh (2016 est.) | 525 million kWh (2016 est.) |
Electricity - consumption | 3.106 billion kWh (2016 est.) | 527.3 million kWh (2016 est.) |
Electricity - exports | 121 million kWh (2015 est.) | 4 million kWh (2015 est.) |
Electricity - imports | 50 million kWh (2016 est.) | 42 million kWh (2016 est.) |
Oil - production | 0 bbl/day (2018 est.) | 0 bbl/day (2018 est.) |
Oil - imports | 0 bbl/day (2015 est.) | 0 bbl/day (2015 est.) |
Oil - exports | 0 bbl/day (2015 est.) | 0 bbl/day (2015 est.) |
Oil - proved reserves | 2.5 billion bbl (1 January 2018 est.) | 0 bbl (1 January 2018 est.) |
Natural gas - proved reserves | 14.16 billion cu m (1 January 2018 est.) | 56.63 billion cu m (1 January 2018 est.) |
Natural gas - production | 0 cu m (2017 est.) | 0 cu m (2017 est.) |
Natural gas - consumption | 0 cu m (2017 est.) | 0 cu m (2017 est.) |
Natural gas - exports | 0 cu m (2017 est.) | 0 cu m (2017 est.) |
Natural gas - imports | 0 cu m (2017 est.) | 0 cu m (2017 est.) |
Electricity - installed generating capacity | 1.02 million kW (2016 est.) | 191,000 kW (2016 est.) |
Electricity - from fossil fuels | 19% of total installed capacity (2016 est.) | 42% of total installed capacity (2016 est.) |
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants | 68% of total installed capacity (2017 est.) | 51% of total installed capacity (2017 est.) |
Electricity - from nuclear fuels | 0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.) | 0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.) |
Electricity - from other renewable sources | 12% of total installed capacity (2017 est.) | 7% of total installed capacity (2017 est.) |
Refined petroleum products - production | 0 bbl/day (2015 est.) | 0 bbl/day (2015 est.) |
Refined petroleum products - consumption | 32,000 bbl/day (2016 est.) | 6,700 bbl/day (2016 est.) |
Refined petroleum products - exports | 0 bbl/day (2015 est.) | 0 bbl/day (2015 est.) |
Refined petroleum products - imports | 31,490 bbl/day (2015 est.) | 6,628 bbl/day (2015 est.) |
Electricity access | electrification - total population: 29% (2019) electrification - urban areas: 66% (2019) electrification - rural areas: 17% (2019) | electrification - total population: 53% (2019) electrification - urban areas: 76% (2019) electrification - rural areas: 48% (2019) |
Telecommunications
Uganda | Rwanda | |
---|---|---|
Telephones - main lines in use | total subscriptions: 76,492 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: less than 1 (2019 est.) | total subscriptions: 11,393 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: less than 1 (2019 est.) |
Telephones - mobile cellular | total subscriptions: 25,395,503 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 60.71 (2019 est.) | total subscriptions: 9,658,548 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 77.53 (2019 est.) |
Internet country code | .ug | .rw |
Internet users | total: 9,620,681 percent of population: 23.71% (July 2018 est.) | total: 2,653,197 percent of population: 21.77% (July 2018 est.) |
Telecommunication systems | general assessment: telecom infrastructure has developed through private partnerships; as of 2018, fixed-fiber backbone infrastructure is available in over half of Uganda's districts; mobile phone companies now provide 4G networks across all major cities and national parks, while offering 3G coverage in small cities and most rural areas with road access; price of commercial Internet services dropped substantially in 2019; consumers rely on mobile infrastructure to provide voice and broadband services as fixed-line infrastructure is poor; 5G migration is developing slowly; government commissioned broadband satellite services for rural areas in 2019 (2020) (2020) domestic: fixed-line 1 per 100 and mobile- cellular systems teledensity about 57 per 100 persons; intercity traffic by wire, microwave radio relay, and radiotelephone communication stations (2019) international: country code - 256; satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) and 1 Inmarsat; analog and digital links to Kenya and Tanzania note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced downturn, particularly in mobile device production; many network operators delayed upgrades to infrastructure; progress towards 5G implementation was postponed or slowed in some countries; consumer spending on telecom services and devices was affected by large-scale job losses and the consequent restriction on disposable incomes; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home became evident, and received some support from governments | general assessment: telecom market impacted by energy shortages and instability in neighboring states; government investing in smart city infrastructure; growing economy and foreign aid from South Korea help launch telecom sector, despite widespread poverty; expansion of LTE services; competing operators roll out national fiber optic backbone through connection to submarine cables, ending expensive dependence on satellite; importer of broadcasting equipment from China (2021) (2020)domestic: the capital, Kigali, is connected to provincial centers by microwave radio relay, and recently by cellular telephone service; much of the network depends on wire and HF radiotelephone; fixed-line less than 1 per 100 and mobile-cellular telephone density has increased to 76 telephones per 100 persons (2019) international: country code - 250; international connections employ microwave radio relay to neighboring countries and satellite communications to more distant countries; satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) in Kigali (includes telex and telefax service); international submarine fiber-optic cables on the African east coast has brought international bandwidth and lessened the dependency on satellites note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced downturn, particularly in mobile device production; many network operators delayed upgrades to infrastructure; progress towards 5G implementation was postponed or slowed in some countries; consumer spending on telecom services and devices was affected by large-scale job losses and the consequent restriction on disposable incomes; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home became evident, and received some support from governments |
Broadband - fixed subscriptions | total: 9,485 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: less than 1 (2018 est.) | total: 8,885 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: less than 1 (2018 est.) |
Broadcast media | public broadcaster, Uganda Broadcasting Corporation (UBC), operates radio and TV networks; 31 Free-To-Air (FTA) TV stations, 2 digital terrestrial TV stations, 3 cable TV stations, and 5 digital satellite TV stations; 258 operational FM stations | 13 TV stations; 35 radio stations registered, including international broadcasters, government owns most popular TV and radio stations; regional satellite-based TV services available |
Transportation
Uganda | Rwanda | |
---|---|---|
Roadways | total: 20,544 km (excludes local roads) (2017) paved: 4,257 km (2017) unpaved: 16,287 km (2017) | total: 4,700 km (2012) paved: 1,207 km (2012) unpaved: 3,493 km (2012) |
Waterways | (there are no long navigable stretches of river in Uganda; parts of the Albert Nile that flow out of Lake Albert in the northwestern part of the country are navigable; several lakes including Lake Victoria and Lake Kyoga have substantial traffic; Lake Albert is navigable along a 200-km stretch from its northern tip to its southern shores) (2011) | (Lac Kivu navigable by shallow-draft barges and native craft) (2011) |
Ports and terminals | lake port(s): Entebbe, Jinja, Port Bell (Lake Victoria) | lake port(s): Cyangugu, Gisenyi, Kibuye (Lake Kivu) |
Airports | total: 47 (2013) | total: 7 (2013) |
Airports - with paved runways | total: 5 (2019) over 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 | total: 4 (2019) over 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 1 |
Airports - with unpaved runways | total: 42 (2013) over 3,047 m: 1 (2013) 1,524 to 2,437 m: 8 (2013) 914 to 1,523 m: 26 (2013) under 914 m: 7 (2013) | total: 3 (2013) 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2013) under 914 m: 1 (2013) |
National air transport system | number of registered air carriers: 6 (2020) inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 26 annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 21,537 (2018) | number of registered air carriers: 1 (2020) inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 12 annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 1,073,528 (2018) |
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix | 5X | 9XR |
Military
Uganda | Rwanda | |
---|---|---|
Military branches | Uganda People's Defense Force (UPDF): Land Forces, Air Forces, Marine Forces, Special Forces Command, Reserve Force (2021) | Rwanda Defense Force (RDF): Rwanda Army (Rwanda Land Force), Rwanda Air Force (Force Aerienne Rwandaise, FAR), Rwanda Reserve Force (2021) |
Military service age and obligation | 18-25 years of age for voluntary military duty (must be single, no children); 9-year service obligation (2019) | 18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription; Rwandan citizenship is required; enlistment is either as contract (5-years, renewable twice) or career (2019) |
Military expenditures - percent of GDP | 2.1% of GDP (2019) 1.4% of GDP (2018) 1.5% of GDP (2017) 1.6% of GDP (2016) 1.4% of GDP (2015) | 1.2% of GDP (2019) 1.2% of GDP (2018) 1.2% of GDP (2017) 1.2% of GDP (2016) 1.2% of GDP (2015) |
Military and security service personnel strengths | information varies; approximately 45-50,000 troops, including about 1,000-1,500 air and marine personnel (2021) | the Rwanda Defense Force (RDF) has approximately 33,000 active personnel (32,000 Army; 1,000 Air Force) (2021) |
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions | the UPDF's inventory is mostly older Russian/Soviet-era equipment with a limited mix of more modern Russian- and Western-origin arms; since 2010, the leading suppliers of arms to the UPDF are Russia and Ukraine (2020) | the RDF's inventory includes mostly Soviet-era and older Western - mostly French and South African - equipment; Rwanda has received a limited supply of imports since 2010 from a variety of countries, including China, Israel, Russia, and Turkey (2020) |
Military deployments | 6,200 Somalia (AMISOM); 620 Somalia (UNSOM); 250 Equatorial Guinea (Jan 2021) | 1,370 Central African Republic (MINUSCA); 1,125 Sudan (UNAMID); 2,750 South Sudan (UNMISS) (2021) note - in mid-2021, Rwanda sent about 1,000 combat troops to Mozambique to assist the Mozambique Government in combating an insurgency |
Transnational Issues
Uganda | Rwanda | |
---|---|---|
Disputes - international | Uganda is subject to armed fighting among hostile ethnic groups, rebels, armed gangs, militias, and various government forces that extend across its borders; Ugandan refugees as well as members of the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) seek shelter in southern Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo's Garamba National Park; LRA forces have also attacked Kenyan villages across the border | Burundi and Rwanda dispute two sq km (0.8 sq mi) of Sabanerwa, a farmed area in the Rukurazi Valley where the Akanyaru/Kanyaru River shifted its course southward after heavy rains in 1965; fighting among ethnic groups - loosely associated political rebels, armed gangs, and various government forces in Great Lakes region transcending the boundaries of Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DROC), Rwanda, and Uganda - abated substantially from a decade ago due largely to UN peacekeeping, international mediation, and efforts by local governments to create civil societies; nonetheless, 57,000 Rwandan refugees still reside in 21 African states, including Zambia, Gabon, and 20,000 who fled to Burundi in 2005 and 2006 to escape drought and recriminations from traditional courts investigating the 1994 massacres; the 2005 DROC and Rwanda border verification mechanism to stem rebel actions on both sides of the border remains in place |
Refugees and internally displaced persons | refugees (country of origin): 924,835 (South Sudan) (refugees and asylum seekers), 432,390 (Democratic Republic of the Congo), 51,039 (Burundi), 47,581 (Somalia) (refugees and asylum seekers), 17,750 (Rwanda), 17,658 (Eritrea) (2021) | refugees (country of origin): 74,836 (Democratic Republic of the Congo), 47,911 (Burundi) (2021) |
Environment
Uganda | Rwanda | |
---|---|---|
Air pollutants | particulate matter emissions: 48.41 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.) carbon dioxide emissions: 5.68 megatons (2016 est.) methane emissions: 30.24 megatons (2020 est.) | particulate matter emissions: 40.75 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.) carbon dioxide emissions: 1.11 megatons (2016 est.) methane emissions: 2.92 megatons (2020 est.) |
Total water withdrawal | municipal: 328 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 50 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 259 million cubic meters (2017 est.) | municipal: 61.4 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 20.5 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 102 million cubic meters (2017 est.) |
Revenue from forest resources | forest revenues: 7.32% of GDP (2018 est.) | forest revenues: 3.75% of GDP (2018 est.) |
Revenue from coal | coal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) | coal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) |
Waste and recycling | municipal solid waste generated annually: 7,045,050 tons (2016 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 422,703 tons (2017 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 6% (2017 est.) | municipal solid waste generated annually: 4,384,969 tons (2016 est.) |
Source: CIA Factbook