Country Profile: Uganda

Uganda is a landlocked country located in East-Central Africa, bordered by Kenya, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, South Sudan, and Tanzania. The nation is populated by approximately 50.9 million people, representing a rich tapestry of ethnicities, languages, and cultures. Its predominantly agrarian economy has been impacted by political turmoil and external factors, such as oil price fluctuations, yet it remains rich in natural resources. Governance in Uganda has faced challenges, including persistent corruption and the long-standing presidency of Yoweri Museveni, who has been in power since 1986.

Geography

Uganda boasts a diverse landscape characterized by plateaus, mountains, and numerous lakes, including Lake Victoria, the world's largest tropical lake. The country spans an area of 241,038 square kilometers and has a tropical climate, with two rainy seasons and a semiarid region in the northeast. It is susceptible to various natural hazards, such as droughts and floods.

71.9% of land is used for agriculture (2023 est.).
34.4% of agricultural land is arable (2023 est.).
The highest point is 5,110 m at Margherita Peak on Mount Stanley.
Natural resources include copper, gold, and hydropower.

People and Society

With a population of approximately 50.9 million as of 2025, Uganda is home to many ethnic groups, the largest being the Baganda. English and Luganda are widely spoken, alongside several other local languages. The population is youthful, with a median age of 16.4 years as of 2025, and a high birth rate of 38.91 births per 1,000 population.

16.5% of the population identifies as Baganda (2014 est.).
45.1% of the population is Protestant (2014 est.).
26.8% of the population lives in urban areas (2023).
The literacy rate stands at 69.1% (2016 est.).

Economy

Uganda's economy is primarily agrarian, with about 24.7% of GDP derived from agriculture as of 2024. Despite challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic and corruption, the country shows resilience, with a projected real GDP growth rate of 6.1% for 2024. The economy is bolstered by rich natural resources and a significant portion of the workforce engaged in agriculture.

$144.137 billion estimated real GDP (2024).
$2,900 real GDP per capita (2024).
Unemployment is at 3% (2024 est.).
Major exports include gold, coffee, and fish (2023).

Government

Uganda operates as a presidential republic, with Yoweri Museveni serving as president since 1986. The government is structured with a mix of English common and customary law. Legislative power resides in a unicameral parliament, while the judiciary remains under the supervision of the president.

Uganda has 134 districts and 1 capital city.
The last presidential election was held on January 14, 2021.
Suffrage is universal for citizens aged 18 and older.
The constitution was adopted on October 8, 1995.

Military and Security

The Uganda People's Defense Force (UPDF) encompasses land, air, and special forces. Military expenditure is approximately 2% of GDP, reflecting the nation's focus on both internal and external security. The UPDF participates in regional peacekeeping missions and combats threats such as al-Shabaab.

The active military personnel stands at around 45,000 (2025).
Military service is voluntary for individuals aged 18-22.
Uganda has military deployments of 3,000 in the Democratic Republic of Congo and 4,500 in Somalia (2025).

Energy

Electricity access in Uganda is limited, with around 47.1% of the population having access as of 2022, significantly higher in urban areas. The primary source of electricity generation is hydropower, accounting for 86.6% of total installed capacity.

Installed generating capacity is 1.452 million kW (2023).
4.254 billion kWh of electricity was consumed in 2023.
Renewable energy sources contribute significantly to the overall energy supply.

Environment

Uganda faces several environmental challenges, including deforestation, water pollution, and the draining of wetlands for agricultural use. The country is a signatory to various international environmental agreements aimed at biodiversity, climate change, and sustainable resource management.

60.1 billion cubic meters of renewable water resources (2022).
24.1% of municipal solid waste is recycled (2022 est.).
Major environmental issues include overgrazing and soil erosion.

Transportation

Uganda's transportation infrastructure includes 39 airports and a railway system spanning 1,244 km. The civil aviation sector is growing, and public transport options are essential for connecting rural and urban areas.

Railways are entirely narrow gauge.
The transportation network is crucial for economic activities and trade.

Communications

Telecommunication in Uganda includes a growing mobile cellular network with 41.6 million subscriptions as of 2024. Internet penetration is relatively low, with 15% of the population estimated to be internet users in 2023.

There are 116,000 fixed telephone line subscriptions (2023).
Uganda Broadcasting Corporation operates multiple media outlets and stations.

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	50,863,850 (2025 est.)	Total estimated population
Area	241,038 sq km	Total land area
GDP	$53.652 billion (2024 est.)	GDP at official exchange rate
Energy consumption per capita	2.252 million Btu/person (2023)	Total energy consumption per capita
Birth rate	38.91 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)	Annual birth rate
Unemployment rate	3% (2024 est.)	Percentage of labor force seeking work
Life expectancy	69.7 years (2024 est.)	Average life expectancy
Rural electrification	35.9% (2022 est.)	Percentage of rural areas with electricity access
Urban population	26.8% (2023)	Percentage living in urban areas
Literacy rate	69.1% (2016 est.)	Total population literacy