Uganda: Country Brief

Uganda is located in East Africa and is roughly the size of the US state Oregon. The official languages are English and Swahili though there are roughly 40 other languages organized into three families ( Bantu, Nilotic and Central Sudanic). Uganda has a population of about 35 million, making it the 10th most populated country in Africa (out of 57). Relative to it's land size, it's the 11th most densely populated country in Africa.

Uganda has been politically stable for the last few decades though it's early years were plagued with military coups, wars and instability.  Yoweri Museveni has been in power since 1986, with his first decades being uncontested and elections being held in 2006 and 2011. Museveni is hardly the model president but the country remains relatively stable, especially when compared to neighboring countries and it's own volatile past. 

Uganda has recently been in the Western Media due to the pursuit of Joseph Koney and members of the Lord Resistance Army(LRA). The LRA was basically a militant cult group that grew in a response to some Northern Alcoholi people feeling marginalized by the government. Their activity peaked in the late 90's and there have not been any more attacks since 2006. The group has since moved their base to neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo and appear to be weakened, though still a threat.

I'll be located in Kitgum(see map), which is the far north of Uganda. Kitgum District has the highest poverty indicators on the area.  In 2010 population has been estimated in 358.728 people with a density in population of near 48 people per square kilometer. The district counts with one of the highest rate in population growth with 4, 19% compared with the national level of 3.4%. An important percentage of the population in Kitgum District is from the Acholi tribe with almost an 85% of the total. Women constitute the 52% of the total population.

Health indicators linked to this area are very weak with a life expectancy of 44.3 years.
The low health indicators are related to different factors such as economic poverty, breakdown of community structure because of the long rebel forces with almost 20 years of conflicts and, in general, the lack of development in the region.

The 10 leading causes of mortality announced by the OPD (Out Patients Department) in all health establishments in the district are: malaria (affecting to the 59% of children under 5 years old and a 40% of children over 5 years old), severe respiratory infections (23,1% children under 5 years old and a 15,6% to children over 5 years old) pneumonia, gastrointestinal conditions, severe diarrhea  trauma  injuries, malnutrition, HIV/AIDS and skin diseases.

At the moment the district counts with 29 health centers that operates within the National Health Policy of Uganda and also counts with two general hospitals located in Kitgum District. There is a general shortage of health staff in the health care centers and hospitals. It is very difficult to attract and keep workers in these areas, especially those who have higher education.

So there it is folks, a run down of Uganda from what I can find on the internet. Hopefully this gives us some context.