Population: 32.7 million (UN, 2009)
Capital: Kampala
Area: 241,038 sq km (93,072 sq miles)
Major languages: English (official), Swahili (official), Luganda, various Bantu and Nilotic languages
Major religions: Christianity, Islam
Life expectancy: 52 years (men), 53 years (women) (UN)
Monetary unit: 1 Ugandan shilling = 100 cents
Main exports: Coffee, fish and fish products, tea; tobacco, cotton, corn, beans, sesame
GNI per capita: US $420 (World Bank, 2008)
Internet domain: .ug
International dialling code: +256
President: Yoweri Museveni
Yoweri Museveni, Uganda's leader since 1986, was declared the winner of elections in February 2006, the first multi-party poll in 25 years.
Uganda's veteran leader, Yoweri Museveni
Officials said he took 59% of the vote versus the 37% share of his main rival, Kizza Besigye from the opposition Forum for Democratic Change.
Observers said the conduct of the poll was an improvement on the 2001 vote, but critics accused the government of intimidating the opposition in the run-up. Dr Besigye has faced treason and rape charges - as well as terrorism charges in a military court - which his supporters say are politically motivated.
Parliament abolished a constitutional limit on presidential terms in 2005, paving the way for Mr Museveni to seek a third elected term and alarming some Western donors.
Severe restrictions on multi-party politics were imposed by Mr Museveni in 1986; only the president's "Movement" system was allowed to take part in elections.
Ugandans voted to lift the curbs in 2005, with the president maintaining that the country's factional rifts had been healed.
Born in western Uganda in 1944, Yoweri Museveni studied political science in Tanzania. There he became involved with the Front for the Liberation of Mozambique (Frelimo) and picked up the techniques of guerrilla warfare.
After a brief spell in the Ugandan government, Mr Museveni fled to Tanzania in 1971 when Idi Amin toppled Milton Obote, returning in 1980.
But when his party was defeated in elections which he said had been rigged, he formed the National Resistance Army which brought him to power in 1986. Ten years later he won Uganda's first direct presidential election and was re-elected in
TV IN UGANDA
UBC TV - public, run by Uganda Broadcasting Corporation
WBS - private, operated by Wavah Broadcasting Service
Pulse TV - private
Bukkede TV - operated by state-owned New Vision Group
NTV Uganda - private
East Africa TV - private
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