Republic of Uganda[1] | |
|---|---|
| Motto: "For God and My Country" "Kwa Mungu na nchi yangu" | |
| Anthem: "Oh Uganda, Land of Beauty" | |
 | |
| Capital and largest city | Kampala |
| Official languages | |
| Ethnic groups (2014)[6] | |
| Religion (2014 census)[7] |
|
| Demonym(s) | Ugandan |
| Government | Unitary presidential republic under a dominant-party authoritarian state |
| Yoweri Museveni | |
| Jessica Alupo | |
| Robinah Nabbanja | |
| Legislature | Parliament |
| Independence from the United Kingdom | |
• Dominion | 9 October 1962 |
| 25 October 1962 | |
• Republic declared | 9 October 1963 |
• Current constitution | 8 October 1995 |
| Area | |
• Total | 241,038 km2 (93,065 sq mi) (79th) |
• Water (%) | 15.39 |
| Population | |
• 2024 estimate | 49,283,041[6] (34th) |
• Density | 157.1/km2 (406.9/sq mi) (75th) |
| GDP (PPP) | 2024 estimate |
• Total |  $145.157 billion[8] (88th) |
• Per capita | $3,222[8] (172nd) |
| GDP (nominal) | 2023 estimate |
• Total | $52.390 billion[8] (90th) |
• Per capita | $1,163[8] (196th) |
| Gini (2016) |  42.0[9]medium inequality |
| HDI (2022) | 0.550[10] medium (159th) |
| Currency | Ugandan shilling (UGX) |
| Time zone | UTC+3 (EAT) |
| Drives on | left |
| Calling code | +256a |
| ISO 3166 code | UG |
| Internet TLD | .ug |
Uganda,[b] officially the Republic of Uganda,[c] is a landlocked country in East Africa. It is bordered to the east by Kenya, to the north by South Sudan, to the west by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, to the south-west by Rwanda, and to the south by Tanzania. The southern part includes a substantial portion of Lake Victoria, shared with Kenya and Tanzania. Uganda is in the African Great Lakes region, it lies within the Nile basin, and has a varied equatorial climate. As of 2024[update], it has a population of over 49 million, of which 8.5 million live in the capital and largest city, Kampala.
Uganda is named after the Buganda kingdom, which encompasses a large portion of the south, including Kampala, and whose language Luganda is widely spoken; the official language is English. The region was populated by various ethnic groups, before Bantu and Nilotic groups arrived around 3,000 years ago. These groups established influential kingdoms such as the Empire of Kitara. The arrival of Arab traders in the 1830s and British explorers in the late 19th century, marked the beginning of foreign influence. The British established the Protectorate of Uganda in 1894, incorporating various kingdoms and setting the stage for future political dynamics. Uganda gained independence in 1962, with Milton Obote as the first prime minister. The 1966 Mengo Crisis marked a significant conflict with the Buganda kingdom. Idi Amin's military coup in 1971 led to a brutal regime characterized by mass killings and economic decline, until his overthrow in 1979.
Yoweri Museveni's National Resistance Movement (NRM) took power in 1986 after a six-year guerrilla war. This brought stability and growth, but authoritarian practices and human rights abuses. The abolition of presidential term limits, allegations of electoral fraud and repression, have raised concerns about Uganda's democratic future. Museveni was elected president in the 2011, 2016, and 2021 general elections. Human rights issues, corruption, and regional conflicts, such as involvement in the Congo Wars and the struggle against the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA), continue to challenge Uganda. Despite this, it has made progress in education and health, improving literacy and reducing HIV infection, though challenges in maternal health and gender inequality persist. The country's future depends on addressing governance and human rights, while leveraging its natural and human resources for sustainable development.
Geographically, Uganda is diverse, with volcanic hills, mountains, and lakes, including Lake Victoria, the world's second-largest freshwater lake. The country has significant natural resources, including fertile agricultural land and untapped oil reserves, contributing to its economic development. The service sector dominates the economy, surpassing agriculture. Uganda's rich biodiversity, with national parks and wildlife reserves, attracts tourism, a vital sector for the economy. Uganda is a member of the United Nations, the African Union, G77, the East African Community, and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.
- ^ "Uganda Constitution" (PDF). The State House of Uganda. Archived (PDF) from the original on 12 March 2022. Retrieved 9 March 2022.
- ^ "Constitution in Luganda" (PDF). Uganda Law Reform Commission. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 June 2023. Retrieved 20 March 2023.
- ^ "Constitution in Lusoga" (PDF). Uganda Law Reform Commission. Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 June 2023. Retrieved 20 March 2023.
- ^ "Constitution in Lumasaba" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 June 2023. Retrieved 20 March 2023.
- ^ "Ugandan Constitution translated in different Local Languages". Uganda Law Reform Commission. Archived from the original on 20 March 2023. Retrieved 20 March 2023.
- ^ a b "Uganda". The World Factbook (2024 ed.). Central Intelligence Agency. Retrieved 22 June 2023.
- ^ "Census 2014 Final Results" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 12 October 2017. Retrieved 17 April 2018.
- ^ a b c d "World Economic Outlook Database, October 2023 Edition. (Uganda)". IMF.org. International Monetary Fund. 10 October 2023. Archived from the original on 30 October 2023. Retrieved 14 October 2023.
- ^ "Gini index (World Bank estimate)". World Bank. Archived from the original on 18 January 2017. Retrieved 14 July 2021.
- ^ "Human Development Report 2023/24". United Nations Development Programme. 13 March 2024. Archived from the original on 19 March 2024. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
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