Mother Earth Travel > Country Index > Uganda > Map Economy History |
| Economy - overview: Uganda has substantial natural resources,
including fertile soils, regular rainfall, and sizable mineral deposits of
copper and cobalt. Agriculture is the most important sector of the
economy, employing over 80% of the work force. Coffee is the major export
crop and accounts for the bulk of export revenues. Since 1986, the
government - with the support of foreign countries and international
agencies - has acted to rehabilitate and stabilize the economy by
undertaking currency reform, raising producer prices on export crops,
increasing prices of petroleum products, and improving civil service
wages. The policy changes are especially aimed at dampening inflation and
boosting production and export earnings. In 1990-2000, the economy turned
in a solid performance based on continued investment in the rehabilitation
of infrastructure, improved incentives for production and exports, reduced
inflation, gradually improved domestic security, and the return of exiled
Indian-Ugandan entrepreneurs. Ongoing Ugandan involvement in the war in
the Democratic Republic of the Congo, corruption within the government,
and slippage in the government's determination to press reforms raise
doubts about the continuation of strong growth. In 2000, Uganda qualified
for enhanced HIPC debt relief worth $1.3 billion and Paris Club debt
relief worth $145 million. These amounts combined with the original Highly
Indebted Poor Countries HIPC debt relief add up to about $2 billion.
Growth for 2001 should be somewhat lower than in 2000, because of a
decline in the price of coffee, Uganda's principal export. GDP: purchasing power parity -
$26.2 billion (2000 est.) SOURCE: The World Factbook |
Mother Earth Travel > Country Index > Uganda > Map Economy History