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Uganda

Uganda in central-eastern Africa was brutalized through the 1970's by the dictatorship of Idi Amin, with appalling human rights abuses continuing through the 1980's. Approaching half a million people lost their lives to state-sponsored violence during these years.

Today, while Uganda is comparatively more stable, peaceful and - by regional standards - wealthy (with rich natural resources and an economy based on agriculture), large swathes of the population - especially in the north - continue to suffer.

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Ugandan mother and child

Here, the scars of past dictatorships still run deep, while more recent strife (notably the horrific activities of the Lord's Resistance Army) and poverty and disease (notably HIV/AIDS) take a continuing toll.

In recent years however, Uganda has received acclaim from the international community for its efforts to tackle its problems, especially with a vigorous campaign to slow the spread and impact of AIDS.

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Area (size): 93,000 square miles (similar to UK) Capital city: Kampala

Population: 33 million, comprising dozens of African ethnic groups, many of which Bantu, Nilotic and Sudanic. Minorities from neigbouring countries included Congo, Rwanda & Kenya. Languages: English & Swahili (official); Luganda; Bantu & Nilotic ethnic languages.

Religion: Christianity (majority); Islam; traditional ethnic & other faith minorities.

Christians in Uganda

Having faced intense persecution during the Amin dictatorship, Christians in Uganda today enjoy religious freedom and there has been much renewal and spirit-filled growth in the church.

Pray for the ongoing need for believers to remain steadfast and grow in their faith; and that God will raise up more strong, trained local leaders and pastors. Pray for Christians confronting or facing complex problems such as the abduction of children in the north as soldiers or sex slaves, HIV/AIDS, and poverty.