Uganda: One of the Least Developed Countries in the World

822 Words2 Pages

Despite its economic progress, Uganda is still one of the least developed countries in the world. From the latest report from the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), Uganda has once again been listed among some of the least developed countries in the world. A per capita income of under US$170 makes Uganda today is one of the poorest countries in the world much like many of its neighboring African countries. It is a living testament today of the havoc caused by the political turmoil and economic decline brought about by insurmountable economic, political and social problems of the past several decades.
Uganda much like several of its neighboring countries was previously under colonial rule. This drastically altered the course of Uganda in terms of economics, politics and social problems. While under the rule of the British from 1888 to 1894, Ugandan life was essentially to serve and further the power of the British crown. However it wasn't simply the British that disrupted Ugandan life several other groups including Protestant and Catholic missionaries also served to alter the course of the landlocked country. Meaning essentially there was little progress on part of Uganda during this time to establish itself as a self-serving nation. This hindrance of self-sufficiency for several decades plays a significant part in why Uganda continues to struggle today. It wasn't until the 9th of October in 1962 that Uganda finally broke free from British rule.
This rule by the British can be said to have had a potentially major role on the Uganda we see today. Politically the Ugandan people truly had no say, although they weren't directly ruled by the crown their government was essentially a puppet government meant...

... middle of paper ...

...Uganda as well. The population of about 36 million is growing at an annual rate of 3.4% however HIV/AID's and malaria have impacted certain areas of Uganda making it difficult for them continue of the upwards path of development. The pandemic of HIV/AIDS specifically has caused the death of large numbers of young adults and orphaned up to 1.2 million children. While Malaria on the other hand shows in recent estimates that the disease kills at least 100,000 Ugandans a year, most of them being children under the age of five. However HIV/AIDS infection levels in Uganda have shown a slight decline over the past decade due a national campaign to control the spread of the virus. Whereas malaria still runs rampant even though it would be simple on part of the government to assist in alleviating the problem by spending more on mosquito nets and other preventative methods.

More about Uganda: One of the Least Developed Countries in the World

Open Document