American Language 250

Standard American Almanac

World · permanent entity record · UG

Flag of Uganda

Uganda

Thirty-second orientation

Uganda at a glance

Capital
Kampala
CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Population
51,384,894
World Bank, World Development Indicators · observation year 2025
Area
241,038 sq km
CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Nationality / demonym
noun: Ugandan(s); adjective: Ugandan
CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Government
presidential republic
CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Languages
English (official), Ganda or Luganda (most widely used of the Niger-Congo languages and the language used most often in the capital), other Niger-Congo languages, Nilo-Saharan languages, Swahili (official), Arabic
CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04

Independently structured milestones · not a complete national history

Uganda through time

  1. Admitted to the United Nations

    Uganda became a member of the United Nations.

    United Nations, Member States · source checked 2026-09-04

Source history · changed fields only

Changes since the final CIA profile

FieldMaintained Almanac valueFinal CIA profile
Population51,384,894World Bank, World Development Indicators · observation year 2025total: 50,863,850 (2025 est.) male: 24,835,513 female: 26,028,337CIA World Factbook · as of 2026-01-18

A difference may reflect a newer observation, a revised estimate, or a different source definition. This table reports the values and dates; it does not manufacture a trend.

World Development Indicators · latest available observation

People, economy, and access

Observation years vary by measure. Each row identifies the series and year instead of presenting unlike dates as one current snapshot.

Gross domestic product
$62.0 billion
World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator NY.GDP.MKTP.CD · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator NY.GDP.MKTP.CD. Underlying providers: National statistical authorities, central banks, OECD national accounts, and World Bank staff estimates. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Gross domestic product per person
$1,206
World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator NY.GDP.PCAP.CD · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator NY.GDP.PCAP.CD. Underlying providers: National statistical authorities, central banks, OECD national accounts, and World Bank staff estimates. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Life expectancy at birth
68.5 years
World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator SP.DYN.LE00.IN · observation year 2024 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2024; indicator SP.DYN.LE00.IN. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, national statistical offices, and Eurostat. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Urban population
31.9%
World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, World Urbanization Prospects. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Access to electricity
55.3%
World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator EG.ELC.ACCS.ZS · observation year 2024 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2024; indicator EG.ELC.ACCS.ZS. Underlying providers: World Bank ESMAP, Tracking SDG 7. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
People using the internet
8.9%
World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator IT.NET.USER.ZS · observation year 2024 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2024; indicator IT.NET.USER.ZS. Underlying providers: International Telecommunication Union. Source footnote: Source and notes: Uganda Bureau of Statistics, Retrieved 2026-09-08.

World Development Indicators data are provided under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0). The linked indicator metadata identifies the underlying statistical providers.

Maintained profile

Capital
Kampala
CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · The nation set and displayed federal short name follow the current State Department independent-states register, dated August 11, 2026.
Area
241,038 sq km
CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · Final CIA source data preserved by a community mirror after the Factbook was retired; the mirror is not the issuing authority.
Population
51,384,894
World Bank, World Development Indicators · World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator SP.POP.TOTL. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, national statistical offices, and Eurostat. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Currency
Ugandan shillings (UGX)
CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · Currency label extracted from the Factbook exchange-rate field.
Languages
English (official), Ganda or Luganda (most widely used of the Niger-Congo languages and the language used most often in the capital), other Niger-Congo languages, Nilo-Saharan languages, Swahili (official), Arabic
CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · Factbook language listing reproduced without inferring official status beyond the source wording.
Nationality / demonym
noun: Ugandan(s); adjective: Ugandan
CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · The source’s noun and adjective forms are retained. These are language labels, not evidence of any individual person’s citizenship.
Government
presidential republic
CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json ·
UN membership
1962-10-25
United Nations, Member States ·
Continent
Africa
CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Continental label standardized from the archived profile region “Africa.”
Coastline
0 km (landlocked)
CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Climate
tropical; generally rainy with two dry seasons (December to February, June to August); semiarid in northeast
CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Religions
Protestant 45.1% (Anglican 32.0%, Pentecostal/Born Again/Evangelical 11.1%, Seventh Day Adventist 1.7%, Baptist .3%), Roman Catholic 39.3%, Muslim 13.7%, other 1.6%, none 0.2% (2014 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Flag colors
black, yellow, red, white
CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Colors extracted from the flag description in the preserved final CIA profile.
National symbol
grey crowned crane
CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Highest point
Margherita Peak on Mount Stanley · 16,765 ft (5,110 m)
CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Lowest point
Albert Nile · 2,014 ft (614 m)
CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
NATO membership
Not a member
NATO, What is NATO? · Membership status is reported from the organization's current member list as of the stated date.
BRICS membership
Not a member
BRICS Brazil, About the BRICS · Membership status is reported from the organization's current member list as of the stated date.

Preserved public-domain record · not maintained current data

Final CIA World Factbook profile

This is the preserved historical baseline from the Factbook’s final public snapshot. It is presented as the CIA stated it, not as a current Standard American Almanac finding. Current, independently maintained facts appear above when available.

CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · profile updated · pinned source record · commit d81154954b8b

Introduction1 fields
Background
An ancient crossroads for various migrations, Uganda has as many as 65 ethnic groups that speak languages from three of Africa’s four major linguistic families. As early as 1200, fertile soils and regular rainfall in the south fostered the formation of several large, centralized kingdoms, including Buganda, from which the country derives its name. Muslim traders from Egypt reached northern Uganda in the 1820s, and Swahili merchants from the Indian Ocean coast arrived in the south by the 1840s. The area attracted the attention of British explorers seeking the source of the Nile River in the 1860s, and this influence expanded in subsequent decades with the arrival of Christian missionaries and trade agreements; Uganda was declared a British protectorate in 1894. Buganda and other southern kingdoms negotiated agreements with Britain to secure privileges and a level of autonomy that were rare during the colonial period in Africa. Uganda's colonial boundaries grouped together a wide range of ethnic groups with different political systems and cultures, and the disparities between how Britain governed southern and northern areas compounded these differences, complicating efforts to establish a cohesive independent country. Uganda gained independence in 1962 with one of the more developed economies and one of the strongest education systems in Sub-Saharan Africa, but it descended within a few years into political turmoil and internal conflict that lasted more than two decades. In 1966, Prime Minister Milton OBOTE suspended the constitution and violently deposed President Edward MUTESA, who was also the king of Buganda. Idi AMIN seized power in 1971 through a military coup and led the country into economic ruin and rampant mass atrocities that killed as many as 500,000 civilians. AMIN’s annexation of Tanzanian territory in 1979 provoked Tanzania to invade Uganda, depose AMIN, and install a coalition government. In the aftermath, Uganda continued to experience atrocities, looting, and political instability and had four different heads of state between 1979 and 1980. OBOTE regained the presidency in 1980 through a controversial election that sparked renewed guerrilla warfare, killing as an estimated 300,000 civilians. Gen. Tito OKELLO seized power in a coup in 1985, but his rule was short-lived, with Yoweri MUSEVENI becoming president in 1986 after his insurgency captured the capital. MUSEVENI is widely credited with restoring relative stability and economic growth to Uganda but has resisted calls to leave office. In 2017, parliament removed presidential age limits, making it possible for MUSEVENI to remain in office for life.
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Geography20 fields
Location
East-Central Africa, west of Kenya, east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Geographic coordinates
1 00 N, 32 00 E
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Map references
Africa
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Area
total : 241,038 sq km land: 197,100 sq km water: 43,938 sq km
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Area - comparative
slightly more than two times the size of Pennsylvania; slightly smaller than Oregon
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Land boundaries
total: 2,729 km border countries (5): Democratic Republic of the Congo 877 km; Kenya 814 km; Rwanda 172 km; South Sudan 475 km; Tanzania 391 km
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Coastline
0 km (landlocked)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Maritime claims
none (landlocked)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Climate
tropical; generally rainy with two dry seasons (December to February, June to August); semiarid in northeast
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Terrain
mostly plateau with rim of mountains
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Elevation
highest point: Margherita Peak on Mount Stanley 5,110 m lowest point: Albert Nile 614 m
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Natural resources
copper, cobalt, hydropower, limestone, salt, arable land, gold
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Land use
agricultural land: 71.9% (2023 est.) arable land: 34.4% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 11% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 26.5% (2023 est.) forest: 12.1% (2023 est.) other: 16% (2023 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Irrigated land
105 sq km (2013)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Major lakes (area sq km)
fresh water lake(s): Lake Victoria (shared with Tanzania and Kenya) - 62,940 sq km; Lake Albert (shared with Democratic Republic of Congo) - 5,590 sq km; Lake Kyoga - 4,430 sq km; Lake Edward (shared with Democratic Republic of Congo) - 2,150 sq km
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Major rivers (by length in km)
Nile (shared with Rwanda [s], Tanzania, South Sudan, Sudan, and Egypt [m]) - 6,650 km note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Major watersheds (area sq km)
Atlantic Ocean drainage: Congo (3,730,881 sq km), (Mediterranean Sea) Nile (3,254,853 sq km)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Population distribution
population density is relatively high in comparison to other African nations; most of the population is concentrated in the central and southern parts of the country, particularly along the shores of Lake Victoria and Lake Albert; the northeast is least populated, as shown in this population distribution map
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Natural hazards
droughts; floods; earthquakes; landslides; hailstorms
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Geography - note
landlocked; fertile, well-watered country with many lakes and rivers; Lake Victoria, the world's largest tropical lake and second-largest freshwater lake, is shared among three countries: Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
People and Society35 fields
Population
total: 50,863,850 (2025 est.) male: 24,835,513 female: 26,028,337
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Nationality
noun: Ugandan(s) adjective: Ugandan
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Ethnic groups
Baganda 16.5%, Banyankole 9.6%, Basoga 8.8%, Bakiga 7.1%, Iteso 7%, Langi 6.3%, Bagisu 4.9%, Acholi 4.4%, Lugbara 3.3%, other 32.1% (2014 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Languages
English (official), Ganda or Luganda (most widely used of the Niger-Congo languages and the language used most often in the capital), other Niger-Congo languages, Nilo-Saharan languages, Swahili (official), Arabic
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Religions
Protestant 45.1% (Anglican 32.0%, Pentecostal/Born Again/Evangelical 11.1%, Seventh Day Adventist 1.7%, Baptist .3%), Roman Catholic 39.3%, Muslim 13.7%, other 1.6%, none 0.2% (2014 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Age structure
0-14 years: 47% (male 11,747,745/female 11,427,932) 15-64 years: 50.6% (male 11,788,483/female 13,131,051) 65 years and over: 2.4% (2024 est.) (male 504,332/female 683,498)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Dependency ratios
total dependency ratio: 96.9 (2025 est.) youth dependency ratio: 92.1 (2025 est.) elderly dependency ratio: 4.8 (2025 est.) potential support ratio: 20.8 (2025 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Median age
total: 16.4 years (2025 est.) male: 15.5 years female: 17.1 years
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Population growth rate
3.13% (2025 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Birth rate
38.91 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Death rate
4.61 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Net migration rate
-2.96 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Population distribution
population density is relatively high in comparison to other African nations; most of the population is concentrated in the central and southern parts of the country, particularly along the shores of Lake Victoria and Lake Albert; the northeast is least populated, as shown in this population distribution map
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Urbanization
urban population: 26.8% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 5.41% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Major urban areas - population
3.846 million KAMPALA (capital) (2023)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Sex ratio
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.9 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.74 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Mother's mean age at first birth
19.4 years (2016 est.) note: data represents median age at first birth among women 20-49
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Maternal mortality ratio
170 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Infant mortality rate
total: 27.5 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.) male: 31.8 deaths/1,000 live births female: 25.1 deaths/1,000 live births
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Life expectancy at birth
total population: 69.7 years (2024 est.) male: 67.5 years female: 72 years
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Total fertility rate
5.08 children born/woman (2025 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Gross reproduction rate
2.5 (2025 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Drinking water source
urban: 80.3% of population (2022 est.) rural: 51.8% of population (2022 est.) total: 59.3% of population (2022 est.) urban: 19.7% of population (2022 est.) rural: 48.2% of population (2022 est.) total: 40.7% of population (2022 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Health expenditure
4.7% of GDP (2021) 4.9% of national budget (2022 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Physician density
0.19 physicians/1,000 population (2022)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Sanitation facility access
urban: 67.1% of population (2022 est.) rural: 27.9% of population (2022 est.) total: 38.2% of population (2022 est.) urban: 32.9% of population (2022 est.) rural: 72.1% of population (2022 est.) total: 61.8% of population (2022 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Obesity - adult prevalence rate
5.3% (2016)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Alcohol consumption per capita
total: 6.82 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) beer: 0.85 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) wine: 0.01 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) spirits: 0.5 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) other alcohols: 5.46 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Tobacco use
total: 4.5% (2025 est.) male: 7.8% (2025 est.) female: 1.5% (2025 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Children under the age of 5 years underweight
9.7% (2022 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Currently married women (ages 15-49)
57.8% (2022 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Child marriage
women married by age 15: 7.3% (2016) women married by age 18: 34% (2016) men married by age 18: 5.5% (2016)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Education expenditure
2.6% of GDP (2022 est.) 8.5% national budget (2022 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Literacy
total population: 69.1% (2016 est.) male: 78.5% (2016 est.) female: 61% (2016 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
total: 9 years (2016 est.) male: 10 years (2016 est.) female: 9 years (2016 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Environment10 fields
Environmental issues
draining of wetlands for agricultural use; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; water pollution from industrial discharge and water hyacinth infestation in Lake Victoria; widespread poaching
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
International environmental agreements
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Climate
tropical; generally rainy with two dry seasons (December to February, June to August); semiarid in northeast
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Land use
agricultural land: 71.9% (2023 est.) arable land: 34.4% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 11% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 26.5% (2023 est.) forest: 12.1% (2023 est.) other: 16% (2023 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Urbanization
urban population: 26.8% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 5.41% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Carbon dioxide emissions
6.354 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from coal and metallurgical coke: -398 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 6.354 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Particulate matter emissions
31.3 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Waste and recycling
municipal solid waste generated annually: 7.045 million tons (2024 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 24.1% (2022 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Total water withdrawal
municipal: 328 million cubic meters (2022 est.) industrial: 50 million cubic meters (2022 est.) agricultural: 259 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Total renewable water resources
60.1 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Government23 fields
Country name
conventional long form: Republic of Uganda conventional short form: Uganda etymology: the name is derived from the Swahili word u, meaning "land" or "country," and the Ganda people; the origin of the Ganda name is unclear
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Government type
presidential republic
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Capital
name: Kampala geographic coordinates: 0 19 N, 32 33 E time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: the name is said to come from an African antelope, the impala
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Administrative divisions
134 districts and 1 capital city*; Abim, Adjumani, Agago, Alebtong, Amolatar, Amudat, Amuria, Amuru, Apac, Arua, Budaka, Bududa, Bugiri, Bugweri, Buhweju, Buikwe, Bukedea, Bukomansimbi, Bukwo, Bulambuli, Buliisa, Bundibugyo, Bunyangabu, Bushenyi, Busia, Butaleja, Butambala, Butebo, Buvuma, Buyende, Dokolo, Gomba, Gulu, Hoima, Ibanda, Iganga, Isingiro, Jinja, Kaabong, Kabale, Kabarole, Kaberamaido, Kagadi, Kakumiro, Kalaki, Kalangala, Kaliro, Kalungu, Kampala*, Kamuli, Kamwenge, Kanungu, Kapchorwa, Kapelebyong, Karenga, Kasese, Kasanda, Katakwi, Kayunga, Kazo, Kibaale, Kiboga, Kibuku, Kikuube, Kiruhura, Kiryandongo, Kisoro, Kitagwenda, Kitgum, Koboko, Kole, Kotido, Kumi, Kwania, Kween, Kyankwanzi, Kyegegwa, Kyenjojo, Kyotera, Lamwo, Lira, Luuka, Luwero, Lwengo, Lyantonde, Madi-Okollo, Manafwa, Maracha, Masaka, Masindi, Mayuge, Mbale, Mbarara, Mitooma, Mityana, Moroto, Moyo, Mpigi, Mubende, Mukono, Nabilatuk, Nakapiripirit, Nakaseke, Nakasongola, Namayingo, Namisindwa, Namutumba, Napak, Nebbi, Ngora, Ntoroko, Ntungamo, Nwoya, Obongi, Omoro, Otuke, Oyam, Pader, Pakwach, Pallisa, Rakai, Rubanda, Rubirizi, Rukiga, Rukungiri, Rwampara, Sembabule, Serere, Sheema, Sironko, Soroti, Tororo, Wakiso, Yumbe, Zombo
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Legal system
mixed system of English common law and customary law
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Constitution
history: several previous; latest adopted 27 September 1995, promulgated 8 October 1995 amendment process: proposed by the National Assembly; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote of the Assembly membership in the second and third readings; proposals affecting "entrenched clauses," including the sovereignty of the people, supremacy of the constitution, human rights and freedoms, the democratic and multiparty form of government, presidential term of office, independence of the judiciary, and the institutions of traditional or cultural leaders, also requires passage by referendum, ratification by at least two-thirds majority vote of district council members in at least two thirds of Uganda's districts, and assent of the president of the republic
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
International law organization participation
accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Citizenship
citizenship by birth: no citizenship by descent only: at least one parent or grandparent must be a native-born citizen of Uganda dual citizenship recognized: yes residency requirement for naturalization: an aggregate of 20 years and continuously for the last 2 years prior to applying for citizenship
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Executive branch
chief of state: President Yoweri Kaguta MUSEVENI (since 26 January 1986) head of government: Prime Minister Robinah NABBANJA (since 14 June 2021) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president from among elected members of Parliament or persons who qualify to be elected as members of Parliament election/appointment process: president directly elected by absolute-majority popular vote in 2 rounds, if needed, for a 5-year term (no term limits) most recent election date: 14 January 2021 election results: 2021: Yoweri Kaguta MUSEVENI reelected president in the first round; percent of vote - Yoweri Kaguta MUSEVENI (NRM) 58.6%, Robert Kyagulanyi SSENTAMU (aka Bobi WINE) (NUP) 34.8%, Patrick Oboi AMURIAT (FDC) 3.2%, other 3.4% expected date of next election: 2026
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Legislative branch
legislature name: Parliament legislative structure: unicameral number of seats: 529 (499 directly elected; 30 indirectly elected) electoral system: plurality/majority scope of elections: full renewal term in office: 5 years most recent election date: 1/14/2021 to 1/18/2021 parties elected and seats per party: National Resistance Movement (NRM) (336); National Unity Platform (NUP) (57); Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) (32); Independents (74); Other (30) percentage of women in chamber: 34.1% expected date of next election: January 2026
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Judicial branch
highest court(s): Supreme Court of Uganda (consists of the chief justice and at least 6 justices) judge selection and term of office: justices appointed by the president of the republic in consultation with the Judicial Service Commission, an 8-member independent advisory body, and approved by the National Assembly; justices serve until mandatory retirement at age 70 subordinate courts: Court of Appeal (also acts as the Constitutional Court); High Court (includes 12 High Court Circuits and 8 High Court Divisions); Industrial Court; Chief Magistrate Grade One and Grade Two Courts throughout the country; qadhis courts; local council courts; family and children courts
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Political parties
Democratic Party or DP Forum for Democratic Change or FDC Justice Forum or JEEMA National Resistance Movement or NRM National Unity Platform People's Progressive Party or PPP Uganda People's Congress or UPC
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Robie KAKONGE (since 12 December 2022) chancery: 5911 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20011 telephone: [1] (202) 726-7100 FAX: [1] (202) 726-1727 email address and website: washington@mofa.go.ug https://washington.mofa.go.ug/
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Diplomatic representation from the US
chief of mission: Ambassador William W. POPP (since 20 September 2023) embassy: 1577 Ggaba Road, Kampala mailing address: 2190 Kampala Place, Washington DC 20521-2190 telephone: [256] (0) 312-306-001 FAX: [256] (0) 414-259-794 email address and website: KampalaWebContact@state.gov https://ug.usembassy.gov/
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
International organization participation
ACP, AfDB, ATMIS, AU, C, COMESA, EAC, EADB, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITC, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NAM, OIC, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCDF, UNCTAD, UNECA, UNDP, UNFPA, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNICEF, UNIDO, UNISFA, UNOCI, UNOPS, UNSOM, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFP, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Independence
9 October 1962 (from the UK)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
National holiday
Independence Day, 9 October (1962)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Flag
description: six equal horizontal bands of black (top), yellow, red, black, yellow, and red; a white disk is at the center and shows a grey crowned crane (the national symbol) meaning: black stands for the African people, yellow for sunshine and vitality, and red for African brotherhood
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
National symbol(s)
grey crowned crane
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
National color(s)
black, yellow, red
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
National anthem(s)
title: "O Uganda, Land of Beauty!" lyrics/music: George Wilberforce KAKOMOA history: adopted 1962; one of the shortest national anthems in the world
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
National heritage
total World Heritage Sites: 3 (1 cultural, 2 natural) selected World Heritage Site locales: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (n); Rwenzori Mountains National Park (n); Tombs of Buganda Kings at Kasubi (c)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Economy32 fields
Economic overview
low-income, primarily agrarian East African economy; COVID-19 hurt economic growth and poverty reduction; lower oil prices threaten prior sector investments; endemic corruption; natural resource rich; high female labor force participation but undervalued
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$144.137 billion (2024 est.) $135.803 billion (2023 est.) $128.923 billion (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Real GDP growth rate
6.1% (2024 est.) 5.3% (2023 est.) 4.6% (2022 est.) note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Real GDP per capita
$2,900 (2024 est.) $2,800 (2023 est.) $2,700 (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
GDP (official exchange rate)
$53.652 billion (2024 est.) note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
3.3% (2024 est.) 5.4% (2023 est.) 7.2% (2022 est.) note: annual % change based on consumer prices
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
agriculture: 24.7% (2024 est.) industry: 24.9% (2024 est.) services: 43.1% (2024 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
GDP - composition, by end use
household consumption: 66.3% (2024 est.) government consumption: 10% (2024 est.) investment in fixed capital: 21.5% (2024 est.) investment in inventories: 0.8% (2024 est.) exports of goods and services: 16.9% (2024 est.) imports of goods and services: -24.6% (2024 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Agricultural products
plantains, sugarcane, milk, maize, cassava, sweet potatoes, vegetables, beans, potatoes, tea (2023) note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Industries
sugar processing, brewing, tobacco, cotton textiles; cement, steel production
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Industrial production growth rate
4.9% (2024 est.) note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Labor force
22.829 million (2024 est.) note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Unemployment rate
3% (2024 est.) 2.8% (2023 est.) 2.9% (2022 est.) note: % of labor force seeking employment
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
total: 4.5% (2024 est.) male: 3.5% (2024 est.) female: 5.5% (2024 est.) note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Population below poverty line
20.3% (2019 est.) note: % of population with income below national poverty line
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income
42.7 (2019 est.) note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Average household expenditures
on food: 38.6% of household expenditures (2023 est.) on alcohol and tobacco: 1.5% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Household income or consumption by percentage share
lowest 10%: 2.4% (2019 est.) highest 10%: 34.5% (2019 est.) note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Remittances
2.9% of GDP (2023 est.) 2.7% of GDP (2022 est.) 2.9% of GDP (2021 est.) note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Budget
revenues: $7.616 billion (2023 est.) expenditures: $10.043 billion (2023 est.) note: central government revenues (excluding grants) and expenditures converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Public debt
53.1% of GDP (2023 est.) note: central government debt as a % of GDP
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Taxes and other revenues
13% (of GDP) (2023 est.) note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Current account balance
-$3.766 billion (2023 est.) -$4.064 billion (2022 est.) -$3.605 billion (2021 est.) note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Exports
$9.084 billion (2023 est.) $6.116 billion (2022 est.) $6.231 billion (2021 est.) note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Exports - partners
India 21%, UAE 16%, Hong Kong 10%, South Sudan 8%, Kenya 6% (2023) note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Exports - commodities
gold, coffee, fish, refined petroleum, tobacco (2023) note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Imports
$13.853 billion (2023 est.) $11.079 billion (2022 est.) $10.62 billion (2021 est.) note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Imports - partners
China 19%, UAE 12%, Tanzania 11%, India 10%, Kenya 7% (2023) note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Imports - commodities
refined petroleum, gold, plastics, packaged medicine, palm oil (2023) note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
$3.359 billion (2018 est.) $3.721 billion (2017 est.) $3.098 billion (2016 est.) note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Debt - external
$10.469 billion (2023 est.) note: present value of external debt in current US dollars
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Exchange rates
Ugandan shillings (UGX) per US dollar - 3,757.263 (2024 est.) 3,726.14 (2023 est.) 3,689.817 (2022 est.) 3,587.052 (2021 est.) 3,718.249 (2020 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Energy7 fields
Electricity access
electrification - total population: 47.1% (2022 est.) electrification - urban areas: 72% electrification - rural areas: 35.9%
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Electricity
installed generating capacity: 1.452 million kW (2023 est.) consumption: 4.254 billion kWh (2023 est.) exports: 400.349 million kWh (2023 est.) imports: 23.289 million kWh (2023 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 1.116 billion kWh (2023 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Electricity generation sources
fossil fuels: 2.6% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) solar: 2.6% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) hydroelectricity: 86.6% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) biomass and waste: 8.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Coal
consumption: 19 metric tons (2023 est.) exports: 100 metric tons (2023 est.) imports: 19 metric tons (2023 est.) proven reserves: 799.999 million metric tons (2023 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Petroleum
refined petroleum consumption: 44,000 bbl/day (2023 est.) crude oil estimated reserves: 2.5 billion barrels (2021 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Natural gas
proven reserves: 14.158 billion cubic meters (2021 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Energy consumption per capita
2.252 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Communications6 fields
Telephones - fixed lines
total subscriptions: 116,000 (2023 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: (2023 est.) less than 1
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Telephones - mobile cellular
total subscriptions: 41.6 million (2024 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 83 (2024 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Broadcast media
public broadcaster, Uganda Broadcasting Corporation (UBC), operates radio and TV networks; 31 Free-To-Air (FTA) TV stations, 2 digital terrestrial TV stations, 3 cable TV stations, and 5 digital satellite TV stations; 258 FM stations
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Internet country code
.ug
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Internet users
percent of population: 15% (2023 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Broadband - fixed subscriptions
total: 44,000 (2023 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: (2023 est.) less than 1
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Transportation3 fields
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
5X
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Airports
39 (2025)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Railways
total: 1,244 km (2014) narrow gauge: 1,244 km (2014) 1.000-m gauge
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Military and Security7 fields
Military and security forces
Uganda People's Defense Force (UPDF): Land Force (includes marines), Air Force, Special Forces Command, Reserve Force Ministry of Internal Affairs: Uganda Police Force (2025) note 1: the Special Forces Command is a separate branch within the UPDF; it evolved from the former Presidential Guard Brigade and has continued to retain presidential protection duties in addition to its traditional missions, such as counterinsurgency note 2: the Uganda Police Force includes air, field, territorial, and marine units, as well as a presidential guard force note 3: in 2018, President MUSEVENI created a volunteer force of Local Defense Units under the military to beef up local security in designated parts of the country
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Military expenditures
2% of GDP (2023 est.) 2.2% of GDP (2022 est.) 2.5% of GDP (2021 est.) 2.5% of GDP (2020 est.) 1.7% of GDP (2019 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Military and security service personnel strengths
approximately 45,000 active Defense Forces (2025)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions
most of the UPDF's arms are of Russian/Soviet origin with smaller quantities from such suppliers as Bulgaria, China, Czechia, Israel, and South Africa, as well as some domestically produced items; Uganda has a small defense industry that assembles or manufactures light armored vehicles and performs maintenance on some military equipment, including its Russian-made helicopters (2025)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Military service age and obligation
18-22 years of age for voluntary military duty for men and women; 9-year service obligation (2025)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Military deployments
estimated 3,000 Democratic Republic of Congo; up to 4,500 Somalia (African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia or AUSSOM) (2025)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Military - note
the responsibilities of the Uganda People's Defense Force (UPDF) include defending the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Uganda, assisting the civilian authorities in emergencies and natural disasters, contributing to regional security, participating in socio-economic development projects, conducting military diplomacy, and ensuring internal security, including against civil unrest, internal insurgency, and terrorism; in recent years it has beefed up its presence along the borders with the Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Sudan; the UPDF participates in African and UN peacekeeping missions and is a key contributor to the East Africa Standby Force; the UPDF is constitutionally granted seats in parliament and is widely viewed as a key constituency for MUSEVENI; it has been used to break up rallies, raid opposition offices, and surveil rival candidates the military traces its history back to the formation of the Uganda Rifles in 1895 under the British colonial government; the Uganda Rifles were merged with the Central Africa Regiment and the East Africa Rifles to form the King’s African Rifles (KAR) in 1902, which participated in both world wars, as well as the Mau Mau rebellion in Kenya (1952-1960); in 1962, the Ugandan battalion of the KAR was transformed into the country's first military force, the Uganda Rifles, which was subsequently renamed the Uganda Army; the UPDF was established in 1995 from the former rebel National Resistance Army following the enactment of the 1995 Constitution of Uganda (2025)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Terrorism1 fields
Terrorist group(s)
al-Shabaab; Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham - Democratic Republic of Congo (ISIS-DRC) note: details about the history, aims, leadership, organization, areas of operation, tactics, targets, weapons, size, and sources of support of the group(s) appear(s) in the Terrorism reference guide
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Transnational Issues1 fields
Refugees and internally displaced persons
refugees: 1,796,597 (2024 est.) IDPs: 22,209 (2024 est.) stateless persons: 10,284 (2024 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source

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