Changes

*Health (2009): Infant mortality rate—79.4/1,000. Life expectancy—52.7 yrs

*Health (2009): Infant mortality rate—79.4/1,000. Life expectancy—52.7 yrs

===Religion===

===Religion===

According to official government figures, an estimated 85%  of the country is Christian, 12% Muslim, and the remaining 3% follow traditional indigenous beliefs, Hinduism, Baha'i, and Judaism. Some Muslims and Christians believe that that the Muslim community is larger than the government numbers reflect.  

According to official government figures, an estimated 85%  of the country is Christian, 12% Muslim, and the remaining 3% follow traditional indigenous beliefs, Hinduism, Baha'i, and Judaism. Some Muslims and Christians believe that the Muslim community is larger than the government numbers reflect.  

Of the Christian population, the Roman Catholic Church has the largest number of followers with 42%, the Anglican Church has an estimated 36%, and the Evangelical and Pentecostal claim the rest. Evangelical and Pentecostal churches are very active. The Muslim population is primarily Sunni. Traditional indigenous beliefs are practiced in some rural areas and are sometimes blended with or practiced alongside Christianity or Islam. Indian nationals are the most significant immigrant population; members of this community are primarily Shi'a Muslim followers of the Aga Khan or practice Hinduism. The northern and West Nile regions are predominantly Catholic, while Iganga District in eastern Uganda has the highest percentage of Muslims. The rest of the country has a mix of religious affiliations.

Of the Christian population, the Roman Catholic Church has the largest number of followers with 42%, the Anglican Church has an estimated 36%, and the Evangelical and Pentecostal claim the rest. Evangelical and Pentecostal churches are very active. The Muslim population is primarily Sunni. Traditional indigenous beliefs are practiced in some rural areas and are sometimes blended with or practiced alongside Christianity or Islam. Indian nationals are the most significant immigrant population; members of this community are primarily Shi'a Muslim followers of the Aga Khan or practice Hinduism. The northern and West Nile regions are predominantly Catholic, while Iganga District in eastern Uganda has the highest percentage of Muslims. The rest of the country has a mix of religious affiliations.

==Government==

==Government==

The 1995 constitution established Uganda as a [[republic]] with an executive, legislative, and judicial branch. The constitution provides for an executive president, to be elected every 5 years. President [[Yoweri Museveni]], in power since 1986, was elected in 1996 and reelected in 2001 and 2006. Legislative responsibility is vested in the parliament; legislative elections were last held February 2006. There currently are 332 members of parliament, of which 79 are women. The Ugandan judiciary operates as an independent branch of government and consists of magistrate's courts, high courts, courts of appeals, and the [[Supreme Court]]. [[Parliament]] and the [[judiciary]] have significant amounts of independence and wield significant power.

The 1995 constitution established Uganda as a [[republic]] with an executive, legislative, and judicial branch. The constitution provides for an executive president, to be elected every 5 years. President [[Yoweri Museveni]], in power since 1986, was elected in 1996 and reelected in 2001 and 2006. Legislative responsibility is vested in the parliament; legislative elections were last held in February 2006. There currently are 332 members of parliament, of which 79 are women. The Ugandan judiciary operates as an independent branch of government and consists of magistrate's courts, high courts, courts of appeals, and the [[Supreme Court]]. [[Parliament]] and the [[judiciary]] have significant amounts of independence and wield significant power.

===Principal Government Officials===  

===Principal Government Officials===  

===Foreign Relations===

===Foreign Relations===

The Ugandan Government generally seeks good relations with other nations without reference to [[ideological]] orientation.<ref>http://dosfan.lib.uic.edu/ERC/bgnotes/af/uganda9103.html</ref> Relations with [[Rwanda]], [[Congo]] and [[Sudan]] have sometimes been strained because of [[security]] concerns. President Museveni has been highly active in attempts implement a peace agreement [[Burundi]] and has supported peace initiatives in Sudan and [[Somalia]].  

The Ugandan Government generally seeks good relations with other nations without reference to [[ideological]] orientation.<ref>http://dosfan.lib.uic.edu/ERC/bgnotes/af/uganda9103.html</ref> Relations with [[Rwanda]], [[Congo]] and [[Sudan]] have sometimes been strained because of [[security]] concerns. President Museveni has been highly active in attempts to implement a peace agreement [[Burundi]] and has supported peace initiatives in Sudan and [[Somalia]].  

In the past, neighbors were concerned about Uganda's relationship with [[Libya]], which had supplied military equipment and bartered [[fuel]] to Uganda. In addition to its friendly ties to Western nations, Uganda has maintained friendly ties with [[North Korea]]. Uganda's has strained relations with Sudan because of past Sudanese support for the LRA. The LRA seeks to overthrow the Uganda Government and has inflicted brutal violence on the population in northern Uganda, including rape, kidnapping, torture, and murder. In 2002 Uganda and Sudan reestablished diplomatic ties and signed a [[protocol]] permitting the UPDF to enter southern Sudan and engage the LRA. The protocol ought to be renewed periodically.  

In the past, neighbors were concerned about Uganda's relationship with [[Libya]], which had supplied military equipment and bartered [[fuel]] to Uganda. In addition to its friendly ties to Western nations, Uganda has maintained friendly ties with [[North Korea]]. Uganda has strained relations with Sudan because of past Sudanese support for the LRA. The LRA seeks to overthrow the Uganda Government and has inflicted brutal violence on the population in northern Uganda, including rape, kidnapping, torture, and murder. In 2002 Uganda and Sudan reestablished diplomatic ties and signed a [[protocol]] permitting the UPDF to enter southern Sudan and engage the LRA. The protocol ought to be renewed periodically.  

Another rebel group operating in western Uganda and eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, near the [[Rwenzori Mountains]], the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), emerged as a threat in 1996 and wields considerable power over the local population. It has largely been defeated by the UPDF and the affected areas of western Uganda have been secured. Remnants of the ADF remain in eastern Congo.

Another rebel group operating in western Uganda and eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, near the [[Rwenzori Mountains]], the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), emerged as a threat in 1996 and wields considerable power over the local population. It has largely been defeated by the UPDF and the affected areas of western Uganda have been secured. Remnants of the ADF remain in eastern Congo.

Negotiations between the Okello government and the NRA were conducted in [[Nairobi]] in the fall of 1985, with Kenyan President [[Daniel Moi]] seeking a cease-fire and a coalition government in Uganda. Although agreeing in late 1985 to a [[cease-fire]], the NRA continued fighting, seized Kampala in late January 1986, and assumed control of the country, forcing Okello to flee north into [[Sudan]]. Museveni's forces organized a government with Museveni as president and dominated by the political grouping called the National Resistance Movement (NRM or the "Movement").  

Negotiations between the Okello government and the NRA were conducted in [[Nairobi]] in the fall of 1985, with Kenyan President [[Daniel Moi]] seeking a cease-fire and a coalition government in Uganda. Although agreeing in late 1985 to a [[cease-fire]], the NRA continued fighting, seized Kampala in late January 1986, and assumed control of the country, forcing Okello to flee north into [[Sudan]]. Museveni's forces organized a government with Museveni as president and dominated by the political grouping called the National Resistance Movement (NRM or the "Movement").  

A referendum was held in March 2000 on whether Uganda should retain the Movement system, with limited operation of political parties, or adopt multi-party politics. Although 70% of voters endorsed retention of the Movement system, the referendum was widely criticized for low voter turnout and unfair restrictions on Movement opponents. Museveni was reelected to a second five-year term in March 2001. Parliamentary elections were held in June 2001, and more than 50% of contested seats were won by newcomers. Movement supporters nevertheless remained in firm control of the legislative branch. Observers believed that the 2001 presidential and parliamentary elections generally reflected the will of the electorate; however, both were marred by serious irregularities, particularly in the period leading up to the elections, such as restrictions on political party activities, incidents of violence, voter intimidation, and fraud.  

A referendum was held in March 2000 on whether Uganda should retain the Movement system, with limited operation of political parties, or adopt multi-party politics. Although 70% of voters endorsed retention of the Movement system, the referendum was widely criticized for low voter turnout and unfair restrictions on Movement opponents. Museveni was re-electedA to a second five-year term in March 2001. Parliamentary elections were held in June 2001, and more than 50% of contested seats were won by newcomers. Movement supporters nevertheless remained in firm control of the legislative branch. Observers believed that the 2001 presidential and parliamentary elections generally reflected the will of the electorate; however, both were marred by serious irregularities, particularly in the period leading up to the elections, such as restrictions on political party activities, incidents of violence, voter intimidation, and fraud.  

A Constitutional Review Commission (CRC) issued a report proposing comprehensive constitutional change in December 2003. The government, however, took issue with many CRC recommendations and made counter-proposals in September 2004. A July 2005 national referendum resulted in the adoption of a multiparty system of government and the subsequent inclusion of opposition parties in elections and government.  

A Constitutional Review Commission (CRC) issued a report proposing comprehensive constitutional change in December 2003. The government, however, took issue with many CRC recommendations and made counter-proposals in September 2004. A July 2005 national referendum resulted in the adoption of a multiparty system of government and the subsequent inclusion of opposition parties in elections and government.  

==Anti-Homosexuality Bill of 2009==

==Anti-Homosexuality Bill of 2009==

In 2009, Parliament member David Bahati submitted a bill before the Parliament of Uganda which would have introduced the death penalty for "aggravated homosexuality", including cases where at least one participant was a minor, or those who were repeat offenders, [[HIV]] positive, or disabled.<ref name="bbc">[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-13392723 Ugandan anti-gay bill 'shelved by parliament']</ref> In addition, the bill required anyone who had knowledge about a homosexual person to turn them over to authorities or face prosecution themselves.<ref name="bbc"/> People in Uganda already face life in prison for sodomy.<ref name="bbc"/> The bill also criminalises the [[homosexual agenda|promotion of homosexuality]], thereby making it illegal to protest the measures once they are passed.

In 2009, Parliament member David Bahati submitted a bill before the Parliament of Uganda which would have introduced the death penalty for "aggravated homosexuality", including cases where at least one participant was a minor, or those who repeated offenders, [[HIV]] positive, or disabled.<ref name="bbc">[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-13392723 Ugandan anti-gay bill 'shelved by parliament']</ref> In addition, the bill required anyone who had knowledge about a homosexual person to turn them over to authorities or face prosecution themselves.<ref name="bbc"/> People in Uganda already face life in prison for sodomy.<ref name="bbc"/> The bill also criminalizes the [[homosexual agenda|promotion of homosexuality]], thereby making it illegal to protest the measures once they are passed.

Most HIV infection in Africa occurs through heterosexual contact, so arguments in favor of Uganda's action on that count carry little weight. Various high-profile politicians around the world including President [[Obama]], pressured the Ugandan parliament to drop the legislation. The Ugandan Parliament adjourned in May 2011 without debating the bill.<ref name="bbc"/>

Most HIV infection in Africa occurs through heterosexual contact, so arguments in favor of Uganda's action on that count carry little weight. Various high-profile politicians around the world including President [[Obama]], pressured the Ugandan parliament to drop the legislation. The Ugandan Parliament adjourned in May 2011 without debating the bill.<ref name="bbc"/>