Uganda and Kenya are both ex British colonies situated around the Great Rift Valley in East Africa. Although both have been relatively stable for the last decade their economies are not strong enough to support heavy spending on Health Services, while Structural Readjustment policies mean people have to pay for treatment out of their often meagre income. To compound the problem many people, especially children, are malnourished and suseptible to a range of diseases, while the spread of AIDS has further stretched resourses.
Uganda is known as the Pearl of Africa, and has been one of Africa's success stories in the 1990's after a turbulent history in the previous 20 years. A lot of the country's resourses are concentrated around the capital, Kampala, and the country has not been able to invest in much primary health care so people often have to travel quite a distance to obtain treatment. It was hit very hard in the early 90's by the spread of AIDS, but has implemented effective education programs and is now in a better position than many of it's neighbors.
Kenya was one of Britain's wealthier colonies, but with money concentrated in the hands of a small white elite. Compared to many African countries it has had a long period of relative political stability, and can attract many more foreign visitors with it's world famous parks. The west of the country, however, is relatively worse off and the economy has been weak in recent years.
