Country Profile: Uganda

Uganda, located in East-Central Africa, is a landlocked nation bordered by Kenya, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, South Sudan, and Tanzania. With a population of approximately 50.9 million people, the country is characterized by its diverse ethnic groups and rich cultural heritage. The economy is primarily agrarian, dependent on agriculture, which accounts for a significant portion of its GDP; however, it also grapples with challenges such as high unemployment and endemic corruption. Governed as a presidential republic, Uganda has experienced significant political turmoil throughout its history, but relative stability has been restored under the long-term leadership of President Yoweri Museveni.

Geography

Uganda's geography features a varied terrain, predominantly composed of plateaus and mountains, with a tropical climate that includes two dry seasons. It boasts significant natural resources, including copper, gold, and fertile land. The country is enriched by numerous lakes and rivers, most notably Lake Victoria, the largest tropical lake in the world.

Area: 241,038 sq km
Land boundaries: 2,729 km (with neighbors including the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Kenya)
Climate: Tropical with two dry seasons
Natural hazards: Droughts, floods, and landslides
Major lakes: Includes Lake Victoria (62,940 sq km)

People and Society

Uganda has a youthful population, with a median age of 16.4 years and a significant proportion being under 15 years old. The country is ethnically diverse, comprising various groups, with the Baganda being the largest. English and Swahili are the official languages, while most citizens practice either Protestantism or Catholicism.

Population: 50,863,850 (2025 est.)
Urban population: 26.8%
Literacy rate: 69.1% (2016 est.)
Birth rate: 38.91 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Life expectancy: 69.7 years (2024 est.)

Economy

Uganda's economy is predominantly low-income and agrarian, with agriculture contributing to over 24% of its GDP. The country has seen a GDP growth rate of 6.1% projected for 2024, despite challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and corruption. Natural resource wealth, particularly in oil, offers opportunities for future growth.

GDP (PPP): $144.137 billion (2024 est.)
Unemployment rate: 3% (2024 est.)
Exports: $9.084 billion (2023 est.)
Poverty rate: 20.3% (2019 est.)
Public debt: 53.1% of GDP (2023 est.)

Government

Uganda is a presidential republic, with a legal system that combines English common law and customary law. The current president, Yoweri Museveni, has been in office since 1986. The country has a diverse range of political parties, and recent elections have been marked by contention and allegations of irregularities.

Capital: Kampala
Legislative body: Unicameral Parliament with 529 seats
Citizenship: No dual citizenship by birth; only by descent
Suffrage age: 18 years
Independence: Achieved on October 9, 1962

Military and Security

The Uganda People's Defense Force (UPDF) is responsible for national defense and internal security. It has seen varied deployments in regional peacekeeping missions and has faced criticism for its role in domestic political matters.

Active personnel: Approximately 45,000 (2025)
Military expenditures: 2% of GDP (2023 est.)
Age for service: 18-22 years
Deployment: Up to 4,500 troops in Somalia

Energy

Uganda's energy sector is largely dependent on hydroelectric power, providing 86.6% of its installed capacity. However, electrification remains a challenge, particularly in rural areas.

Electricity access: 47.1% of the total population (2022 est.)
Installed capacity: 1.452 million kW (2023 est.)
Renewable energy sources: Dominated by hydroelectricity

Environment

Uganda faces several environmental issues, including deforestation and pollution, which threaten its biodiversity. The government is a signatory to various international environmental agreements aimed at conservation and sustainable practices.

Carbon dioxide emissions: 6.354 million metric tonnes (2023 est.)
Urban population: 26.8% of the total (2023)
Waste recycling rate: 24.1% (2022 est.)

Transportation

Transportation infrastructure includes a network of roads, railways, and air transport, facilitating domestic and international travel.

Airports: 39 (2025 est.)
Railways: 1,244 km
Civil aircraft registration prefix: 5X

Communications

Uganda has seen growth in mobile communication, with a substantial number of mobile subscriptions compared to fixed lines. Internet access remains limited, with only 15% of the population using the internet.

Mobile cellular subscriptions: 41.6 million (2024 est.)
Fixed-line subscriptions: 116,000 (2023 est.)
Internet users: 15% of the population (2023 est.)

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	50,863,850	(2025 est.)
Area	241,038 sq km
GDP (PPP)	$144.137 billion	(2024 est.)
Unemployment rate	3%	(2024 est.)
Birth rate	38.91 births/1,000	(2025 est.)
Life expectancy	69.7 years	(2024 est.)
Electricity access	47.1%	(2022 est.)
Military expenditures	2% of GDP	(2023 est.)
Urban population	26.8%	(2023 est.)
Population below poverty line	20.3%	(2019 est.)