Uganda (population 25 million) is a landlocked country in Eastern Africa that covers an area of 236,040 square kilometres. Its boundaries border Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, Sudan and Tanzania. The capital Kampala (population 1.28 million) is situated near Lake Victoria.

The country became independent of Britain in 1962 and has been governed by President Museveni since 1986. Conflicts over the past 15 years have disrupted the lives of many Ugandans, particularly in the north.

According to the United Nations human development index (HDI)¹, Uganda is ranked 146/177 countries worldwide (value 0.493) and 18/45 African countries for which a value is available. This places Uganda in the low human development group.