DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Research and Markets(http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/b26eab/uganda_defence_and) has announced the addition of the "Uganda Defence and Security Report Q1 2012" report to their offering.
Uganda's defence expenditure is estimated to have risen 37.21% y-o-y in 2010, accounting for 12.9% of government spending. BMI expects growth in the region of 4.9% in 2011, reflecting Uganda's military commitments and economic growth. Nevertheless, as a proportion of GDP, Uganda's expenditure remains below that of other countries in the region. In the long term, the author expects to see the country make strong economic gains, despite its vulnerability to political insecurity in the surrounding countries. Uganda faces several internal security challenges including the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA), the ADF and terrorist threats from Somalia's al-Shabaab militia, which is affiliated with al-Qaeda. This latter threat is exacerbated by Uganda's military involvement in Somalia, on behalf of the internationally recognised government in Mogadishu. The battle against the LRA may be entering its last throes, given both US military assistance and the fact that possibly as few as 100 LRA fighters remain operationally active. It remains to be seen how South Sudanese independence and the insertion of US forces will affect the LRA situation.
Uganda's relations with the US have strengthened in recent years, owing to the two countries' common opposition to al-Shabaab and cooperation in fighting violent Islamist groups in the Horn of Africa. Kampala has also repaired relations with Israel after the low point of the 1970s during the regime of former president Idi Amin. Although Uganda is a major importer of Russian arms and weaponry, we could see Israel emerge as a key supplier in the coming years. International concern over the human rights record of President Yoweri Museveni's government remains strong, as does condemnation over the prevalence of violent homophobia, believed to be tacitly condoned by the state.
President Museveni was re-elected in 2011, despite anti-government protests attacking food shortages, government profligacy and corruption. Opposition leader Kizza Besigye claimed the election results were fraudulent, but Museveni claimed victory regardless.
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