Uganda

General Information

Official Name: Republic of Uganda

Form of Government: Presidential Republic

Capital: Kampala

Population: 45,711,874

Official Languages: English, Ganda or Luganda, Swahili

Currency: Ugandan Shilling

Area: 93,065 square miles (241,038 square kilometers)

Education

The typical school year runs from January to November. Education is encouraged and seen in most parts of the country as a very important stepping stone to success. Education is not compulsory, but to encourage parents to take their children to school the government has established the Universal Primary Education policy where four children from each family have their education costs subsidized in government-run schools. There are plans to extend this to the secondary school level. Most Ugandans attend primary education from age 6 through 13. Though, in rural areas especially, this governmental goal is not always realized.

Makerere University, the largest and oldest university in East Africa, is located in Kampala. For several decades, this was the only university in Uganda. However, in recent years, several universities have emerged to give options to the increasing number of students.

Some communities have resisted education. But overall, the attitude toward education has improved greatly and the graduate rate continues to increase.

Religion

The Constitution of Uganda provides for freedom of religion. In many areas, particularly in rural settings, some religions tend to be syncretistic. Deeply held traditional indigenous beliefs are commonly blended into or observed alongside the rites of recognized religions, particularly in areas that are predominantly Christian.

Missionary groups of several denominations are present and active in the country, including the Pentecostal Church, the Baptist Church, the Episcopal Church/Church of Uganda, the Church of God and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Private Koranic and Christian schools are common. In public schools, religious instruction is optional and the curriculum covers world religions rather than instruction in one particular religion. There are also many private schools sponsored by religious groups that offer religious instruction according to the school's affiliation. These private schools are open to students of other faiths, but they usually do not offer minority religious instruction.

Source: International Religious Freedom Report, released in 2012 by the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor.