Uganda: Debt up by 50 percent

Uganda's external debt increased over the last ten years from $3 billion in 1994 to $4.5 billion in 2004. According to a document from Uganda Debt Network (UDN) released on Monday, the indebtedness affects Uganda's development and expenditure for essential services. "The odious debt is hampering our rate of development and expenditure on essential services for poverty-reducing sectors such as primary education, primary health care, water and sanitation, agricultural extension and rural roads," the document says.