Uganda is a country in Eastern Africa, one of the 20 entries this site files under that subregion. Treaties and official documents call it Republic of Uganda. Its seat of government is Kampala.
It covers 241,550 km², which ranks it 82nd of the 250 countries and territories in this dataset — just behind the United Kingdom and just ahead of Ghana. Put next to a country most people can picture, it is almost exactly the same size as the United Kingdom.
The population is about 50.0 million, placing it 31st of 250 by population — between Sudan above it and Spain below. Measured only against its own subregion, it is 9th of 20 in size and 4th in population.
Uganda on the map
The coordinates the dataset gives are 1.0° N, 32.0° E, which puts it in the northern hemisphere, roughly 111 km from the equator, in what geographers would call the equatorial belt.
It is one of the countries that the equator crosses. Malaysia, Kiribati and Singapore sit at almost exactly the same latitude on other parts of the globe.
Its land neighbours number 5: DR Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan and Tanzania. The largest of them by area is DR Congo, which is also the most populous. Together those neighbours hold about 260.5 million people.
It has no sea coast of its own. That is true of 45 of the 250 entries here, so all seaborne trade runs through a neighbour's ports. 2 of its neighbours, Rwanda and South Sudan, are landlocked too. You can see the full picture on the landlocked countries page.
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
The people of Uganda
Spread across 241,550 km², that works out at about 207 people per square kilometre, which makes it densely populated. For comparison, the median entry on this list sits near 90 per square kilometre.
It recognises 2 languages: English and Swahili. English, the first listed, is shared with 90 other entries worldwide.
People from Uganda are called Ugandans.
Against Africa as a whole it is the 9th most populous of 59 entries, and it accounts for 10% of everyone living in Eastern Africa.
The practical details for Uganda
It uses the Ugandan shilling (Sh, UGX). No other entry in this dataset uses it, so the currency is specific to Uganda.
Kampala is the seat of government and the answer most quizzes are looking for.
The top-level domain is .ug. The international dialling code is +256. Its ISO codes are ug and UGA, which is what most databases and flag files use.
It holds a seat at the United Nations, one of 193 entries here that do. The other 57 entries are territories, dependencies or observers, which is why totals on this site run to 250 rather than the familiar 195.
Neighbouring countries
Uganda shares borders with 5 countries:
Fun facts about Uganda
- Its capital city is Kampala.
- Malaysia and Kiribati sit at almost the same latitude, on the far side of the globe.
- Within Eastern Africa it is the 9th largest of 20.
- The equator runs across or very near it.
- Websites based there use the .ug domain.
- English is official here and in 90 other entries worldwide.
- Its full official name is Republic of Uganda.
Uganda — frequently asked questions
- What is the capital of Uganda?
- The capital of Uganda is Kampala.
- Where is Uganda located?
- Uganda is in Eastern Africa, part of Africa. Its reference coordinates are 1.0° north and 32.0° east, roughly 111 km from the equator in equatorial latitudes.
- Which countries border Uganda?
- Uganda borders 5 countries: DR Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan and Tanzania. DR Congo is the largest of them by area.
- Is Uganda landlocked?
- Yes. Uganda has no sea coast, which makes it one of 45 landlocked entries in this dataset. Everything it imports or exports by sea has to cross a neighbour's territory first, and that transit dependency is a well-documented drag on trade costs.
- Is Uganda a country?
- Yes. Uganda is a sovereign state and one of the 193 UN members listed on this site.
- How big is Uganda?
- Uganda covers 241,550 km², ranking 82nd of 250 by land area. That makes it almost exactly the same size as the United Kingdom.
- What is the population of Uganda?
- Uganda has a population of about 50.0 million, which makes it the 31st most populous of the 250 countries and territories listed on this site. Sudan sits just above it and Spain just below.
- What language is spoken in Uganda?
- Uganda lists 2 official languages: English and Swahili.
- What currency does Uganda use?
- Uganda uses the Ugandan shilling, written Sh (currency code UGX). No other entry in this dataset uses it.
