a white disk is superimposed at the center and
depicts a red-crested crane (the national symbol) facing the hoist
side

Economy Uganda

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 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. During 1990-2001, 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. 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 Highly Indebted Poor Countries
(HIPC) debt relief worth $1.3 billion and Paris Club debt relief
worth $145 million. These amounts combined with the original HIPC
debt relief added up to about $2 billion. Growth for 2001-02 was
solid despite continued decline in the price of coffee, Uganda's
principal export. Solid growth in 2003 reflected an upturn in
Uganda's export markets.

GDP:
purchasing power parity - $36.1 billion (2003 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:
4.4% (2003 est.)

GDP - per capita:
purchasing power parity - $1,400 (2003 est.)

GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 36.1%
industry: 21.2%
services: 42.8% (2003 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):
20.3% of GDP (2003)

Population below poverty line:
35% (2001 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 4%
highest 10%: 21% (2000)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:
37.4 (1996)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):
7.9% (2003 est.)

Labor force:
12.09 million (2003 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture 82%, industry 5