Uganda
Uganda is a landlocked presidential republic in Eastern Africa, recognized for its vast natural resources and a diverse ethnic population comprising groups such as the Baganda and Banyankole. Current estimates show the nation has a population of approximately 53 million people with a GDP per capita of 1,212 USD.
Where is Uganda?
Uganda
- Continent
- Africa
- Country
- Uganda
- Coordinates
- 1.00°, 32.00°
Population Details
- Population
- 53M
- Area
- 241,550 km²
- Density per km²
- 219 / km²
- Growth rate
- +2.75%
- Annual growth
- +1.5M people
- Daily growth
- +4K people
- World population share
- 0.65%
Population & Social Snapshot
Age structure, urbanization, and benchmark indicators for Uganda
Age Distribution
Urbanization
Health & Education Benchmarks
Quick Facts
- Capital
- Kampala
- Region
- Africa
- Area
- 241,550 km²
- Languages
- English, Swahili
- Currency
- Ugandan shilling (Sh)
- Timezones
- UTC+03:00
- UN Member
- Yes
Neighboring Countries
Economy
The economy is characterized by a strong annual GDP growth rate of 6.1%, supported by key sectors including agriculture, gold mining, and hydropower development. Uganda currently ranks 90 of 212 globally for nominal GDP and 191 of 212 for GDP per capita. Although the unemployment rate is relatively low at 2.7%, the country ranks 156 of 186 globally for this metric. Future growth is expected to be influenced by the development of significant oil reserves near Lake Albert.
Society
According to the latest available data, life expectancy at birth in Uganda is 68.5 years, which ranks the country 164 of 215 globally. The adult literacy rate is 77.0%, placing the nation at a rank of 125 of 170 worldwide and 9 of 16 within the Eastern Africa subregion. Digital infrastructure remains a development priority, as current data indicates only 9.0% of the population are internet users, a rank of 207 of 212 globally.
Climate & Environment
Uganda experiences a tropical climate with consistent temperatures year-round, influenced by its equatorial location and varying elevations, such as Margherita Peak which reaches 5109 m (16762 ft). The country has two distinct rainy seasons that support its agricultural output across a land area of 241550 km² (93263 sq mi).
Government & Politics
- Government Type
- Presidential republic
- Independence
- 1962-10-09 (UK)
Uganda is a presidential republic where the President serves as both the head of state and head of government. The political system is centered in Kampala, the capital city, and operates under a multi-party structure, although the National Resistance Movement has maintained a dominant role for several decades. Executive power is exercised by the government, while legislative power is vested in both the government and the Parliament of Uganda, a unicameral body. The judiciary functions independently, headed by the Supreme Court. The legal system is based on English common law and customary law, reflecting the country's history as a former British protectorate. Local governance is organized through a decentralized system of more than 130 districts to manage service delivery. Uganda is a member of the United Nations and the East African Community, playing a significant role in regional security and economic integration efforts. The government focuses on maintaining internal stability and fostering development through long-term national planning frameworks.
History
Before the colonial era, the region was characterized by several powerful kingdoms, most notably the Buganda Kingdom, from which the modern nation derives its name. Uganda became a British protectorate in the late 19th century, during which English was established as an administrative language. The country gained its independence from the United Kingdom on 9 October 1962. Initially, it operated as a parliamentary democracy with a constitutional monarch, but the post-independence era was quickly marked by political instability. The late 1960s through the 1980s saw successive coups and the authoritarian rule of leaders like Idi Amin, whose regime from 1971 to 1979 led to severe economic disruption and human rights concerns. Following a period of civil conflict, the National Resistance Movement came to power in 1986, ushering in an era of relative stability and market-oriented economic reform. Modern development has focused on rebuilding national infrastructure, professionalizing the military, and addressing public health challenges such as the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Today, Uganda is a landlocked nation of approximately 50 million people, continuing to navigate the complexities of regional diplomacy and economic modernization while preserving its diverse cultural heritage, which includes over 50 distinct ethnic groups and a population that is 45.1% Protestant and 39.3% Roman Catholic.
Notable Facts
- Uganda is home to the source of the White Nile in Jinja, where the river begins its journey from Lake Victoria toward the Mediterranean Sea.
- The country features the Rwenzori Mountains, which contain Margherita Peak on Mount Stanley, the highest point at 5109 m (16762 ft).
- The nation contains more than half of the world's mountain gorilla population, primarily protected within the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
- The estimated 2026 population is approximately 53 million, making Uganda one of the youngest and fastest-growing nations in Eastern Africa.
- Lake Victoria, the largest tropical lake in the world, provides a significant portion of the country's border and supports its vital hydropower and fishing industries.
Geography
- Highest Point
- Margherita Peak on Mount Stanley (5,109 m)
- Lowest Point
- Lake Albert (621 m)
- Coastline
- 0 km
Major Cities
Largest Cities in UgandaExplore weather and climate data for cities in Uganda
Climate & Weather
View full climate guideMonthly averages for Kampala
| Month | Temp | Feels Like | Rain | Sun | Humidity | Status | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January best | 26°C / 21°C | 29°C / 22°C | 16days (83 mm) Wet | 10.8h Excellent | 75% Muggy | Excellent | View Details |
| February | 26°C / 21°C | 30°C / 23°C | 16days (76 mm) Wet | 10.9h Excellent | 75% Muggy | Good | View Details |
| March | 26°C / 21°C | 29°C / 23°C | 25days (173 mm) Wet | 9.9h Good | 78% Humid | Wet | View Details |
| April | 25°C / 21°C | 28°C / 23°C | 26days (201 mm) Wet | 8.9h Good | 82% Humid | Wet | View Details |
| May | 25°C / 21°C | 28°C / 23°C | 24days (152 mm) Wet | 10h Excellent | 81% Humid | Wet | View Details |
| June best | 25°C / 20°C | 27°C / 22°C | 15days (79 mm) Wet | 11.1h Excellent | 76% Humid | Excellent | View Details |
| July best | 24°C / 20°C | 26°C / 21°C | 12days (63 mm) Wet | 11h Excellent | 74% Muggy | Excellent | View Details |
| August best | 25°C / 20°C | 28°C / 21°C | 17days (92 mm) Wet | 10.8h Excellent | 78% Humid | Excellent | View Details |
| September | 25°C / 20°C | 29°C / 22°C | 23days (112 mm) Wet | 10.5h Excellent | 80% Humid | Good | View Details |
| October | 25°C / 20°C | 29°C / 22°C | 21days (131 mm) Wet | 10.1h Excellent | 80% Humid | Good | View Details |
| November | 25°C / 20°C | 28°C / 22°C | 22days (166 mm) Wet | 9.2h Good | 81% Humid | Wet | View Details |
| December | 25°C / 20°C | 28°C / 22°C | 22days (120 mm) Wet | 10.3h Excellent | 79% Humid | Good | View Details |
Temperature
Line chart showing monthly temperatures. Jan: 26°C / 21°C . Feb: 26°C / 21°C . Mar: 26°C / 21°C . Apr: 25°C / 21°C . May: 25°C / 21°C . Jun: 25°C / 20°C . Jul: 24°C / 20°C . Aug: 25°C / 20°C . Sep: 25°C / 20°C . Oct: 25°C / 20°C . Nov: 25°C / 20°C . Dec: 25°C / 20°C .
Rainfall
Bar chart showing monthly rainfall. Jan: 83 mm. Feb: 76 mm. Mar: 173 mm. Apr: 201 mm. May: 152 mm. Jun: 79 mm. Jul: 63 mm. Aug: 92 mm. Sep: 112 mm. Oct: 131 mm. Nov: 166 mm. Dec: 120 mm.
Frequently Asked Questions
The population of Uganda is approximately 53M (2024).
The capital of Uganda is Kampala.
Uganda's GDP per capita is $1.2K (2024).
Life expectancy in Uganda is 68.49 years (2024).
Uganda covers 241,550 km² (93,263 sq mi).
Uganda is densely populated, with 219 people per km² — above the global average of 60.
Uganda's population is growing rapidly at 2.8% per year — among the fastest in the world.
Based on GDP per capita, Uganda falls in the lower-middle GDP-per-person tier at $1.2K. Official World Bank income groups use Atlas-method GNI per capita, so this is a GDP-based comparison rather than an official income-group label.
Uganda's intentional homicide rate is 9.0 per 100,000 people, above the global average.
Uganda has 2 official languages: English, Swahili.
Uganda uses the Ugandan shilling (Sh) as its sole official currency.
The best months to visit Uganda are January, June, July, August, based on climate data for the capital.
Uganda has an estimated population of approximately 53 million people. According to the latest available data, the country ranks 31 of 215 globally and 9 of 54 within Africa. This reflects a high annual population growth rate of 2.8%, with a high fertility rate of 4.2 children per woman.
The current GDP per capita in Uganda is estimated at 1,212 USD. Recent rankings place the country 191 of 212 globally and 36 of 54 in Africa. Despite these figures, the nation maintains a strong annual GDP growth rate of 6.1%, driven by exports like gold and coffee.
Uganda has an adult literacy rate of 77.0%, according to latest figures. This performance places the country at a rank of 125 of 170 globally and 9 of 16 in the Eastern Africa subregion. Education is a major focus as the country manages a large population of approximately 53 million.
Recent data indicates that approximately 9.0% of the Ugandan population are internet users. This level of digital penetration ranks the country 207 of 212 globally for connectivity. Expanding digital access is a key goal for infrastructure development to support the nation's 52.8 million residents.
The unemployment rate in Uganda is 2.7% based on recent estimates. The country currently ranks 156 of 186 globally for unemployment. This stable labor market is supported by a large agricultural workforce and a total GDP of approximately 53.9 billion USD.
The estimated 2026 population of Uganda is approximately 52,807,582. This figure is projected from the latest official 2024 census data of 50,015,092. The country is growing rapidly, with a consistent annual growth rate of 2.75%, driven by high birth rates and a significant influx of regional refugees.
Uganda is currently ranked 31st in the world out of 215 countries for total population. In the regional context, it is the 9th largest population in Africa and the 4th largest in Eastern Africa, positioned just behind Kenya and ahead of Sudan.
According to current estimates, Uganda has a population density of 263.3 people per km² (681.9 per sq mi). This places Uganda 54th globally and 8th in Africa for density. The population is most concentrated in the fertile southern regions and urban centers like the capital, Kampala.
Uganda's population is growing rapidly at an annual rate of 2.75%. This growth is sustained by a high fertility rate of 4.17 children per woman and a crude birth rate that far exceeds the death rate. Current projections indicate the population will continue to expand significantly through the mid-century.
The latest fertility rate in Uganda is 4.17 births per woman, which ranks 19th highest in the world. Although this represents a decline from historical levels, it remains high enough to drive substantial population momentum, with roughly 4,719 births occurring across the country every day.
Current data indicates that 31.3% of Uganda's population lives in urban areas. While the majority of the country remains rural and agrarian, urban centers like Kampala, Jinja, and Mbarara are growing quickly as people migrate from rural regions in search of economic and educational opportunities.
All Indicators
Explore Uganda's data across 50+ indicators
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