Uganda

In brief

Uganda is a country in East Africa. Its capital is Kampala. With 51.4 million inhabitants in 2025, it ranks 31st in the world by population, out of the 195 countries recognised by the UN. Its area is 241,550 km². Landlocked, it shares land borders with the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan and Tanzania.

GDP per capita stands at $1,206 (2025), 169th in the world. Life expectancy at birth is 68.5 years (2024). 32% of the population lives in cities.

History of Uganda

The kingdoms of Buganda, Bunyoro, Ankole and Toro shared the region when it became a British protectorate in 1894. Uganda became independent on 9 October 1962. Idi Amin’s dictatorship (1971-1979) killed between 100,000 and 500,000 people, according to estimates. Yoweri Museveni has been in power since 1986. The traditional kingdoms, abolished in 1967, were restored in 1993 with a cultural role.

Geography of Uganda

Landlocked Uganda borders Lake Victoria, Africa’s largest lake, from which the White Nile flows out at Jinja. In the west the Rwenzori Mountains rise above 5,000 m; Bwindi forest is home to nearly half the world’s mountain gorillas. Churchill called it “the pearl of Africa”.

Map of Uganda

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Flag of Uganda

The flag of Uganda is red, yellow and black. Its official proportions are 2:3 (height to width).

• Yellow33%
• Red32%
• Black31%
• White4%

Share of the flag’s surface taken by each colour.

What the flag stands for

Six black, yellow and red stripes, with a grey crowned crane, the national bird, on a white disc in the centre. Black represents the African people, yellow the sun, red brotherhood.

Sources: Wikipedia, articles “Uganda” and “Flag of Uganda”.

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Fact file

Economy and society