World Factbook
Uganda
Republic of Uganda
Last updated: 2026-03-28 (today)
Flag
description: six equal horizontal bands of black (top), yellow, red, black, yellow, and red; a white disk is at the center and shows a grey crowned crane (the national symbol) meaning: black stands for the African people, yellow for sunshine and vitality, and red for African brotherhood
Capital
name
Kampala
etymology
the name is said to come from an African antelope, the impala
time difference
UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
geographic coordinates
0 19 N, 32 33 E
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Citizenship
citizenship by birth
no
citizenship by descent only
at least one parent or grandparent must be a native-born citizen of Uganda
dual citizenship recognized
yes
residency requirement for naturalization
an aggregate of 20 years and continuously for the last 2 years prior to applying for citizenship
Constitution
history
several previous; latest adopted 27 September 1995, promulgated 8 October 1995
amendment process
proposed by the National Assembly; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote of the Assembly membership in the second and third readings; proposals affecting "entrenched clauses," including the sovereignty of the people, supremacy of the constitution, human rights and freedoms, the democratic and multiparty form of government, presidential term of office, independence of the judiciary, and the institutions of traditional or cultural leaders, also requires passage by referendum, ratification by at least two-thirds majority vote of district council members in at least two thirds of Uganda's districts, and assent of the president of the republic
Country name
etymology
the name is derived from the Swahili word u , meaning "land" or "country," and the Ganda people; the origin of the Ganda name is unclear
conventional long form
Republic of Uganda
conventional short form
Uganda
Independence
9 October 1962 (from the UK)
Legal system
mixed system of English common law and customary law
Government type
presidential republic
Judicial branch
highest court(s)
Supreme Court of Uganda (consists of the chief justice and at least 6 justices)
subordinate courts
Court of Appeal (also acts as the Constitutional Court); High Court (includes 12 High Court Circuits and 8 High Court Divisions); Industrial Court; Chief Magistrate Grade One and Grade Two Courts throughout the country; qadhis courts; local council courts; family and children courts
judge selection and term of office
justices appointed by the president of the republic in consultation with the Judicial Service Commission, an 8-member independent advisory body, and approved by the National Assembly; justices serve until mandatory retirement at age 70
Executive branch
cabinet
Cabinet appointed by the president from among elected members of Parliament or persons who qualify to be elected as members of Parliament
chief of state
President Yoweri Kaguta MUSEVENI (since 26 January 1986)
election results
2021: Yoweri Kaguta MUSEVENI reelected president in the first round; percent of vote - Yoweri Kaguta MUSEVENI (NRM) 58.6%, Robert Kyagulanyi SSENTAMU (aka Bobi WINE) (NUP) 34.8%, Patrick Oboi AMURIAT (FDC) 3.2%, other 3.4%
head of government
Prime Minister Robinah NABBANJA (since 14 June 2021)
most recent election date
14 January 2021
election/appointment process
president directly elected by absolute-majority popular vote in 2 rounds, if needed, for a 5-year term (no term limits)
expected date of next election
2026
National holiday
Independence Day, 9 October (1962)
National color(s)
black, yellow, red
National heritage
total World Heritage Sites
3 (1 cultural, 2 natural)
selected World Heritage Site locales
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (n); Rwenzori Mountains National Park (n); Tombs of Buganda Kings at Kasubi (c)
Political parties
Democratic Party or DP Forum for Democratic Change or FDC Justice Forum or JEEMA National Resistance Movement or NRM National Unity Platform People's Progressive Party or PPP Uganda People's Congress or UPC
Legislative branch
term in office
5 years
number of seats
529 (499 directly elected; 30 indirectly elected)
electoral system
plurality/majority
legislature name
Parliament
scope of elections
full renewal
legislative structure
unicameral
most recent election date
1/14/2021 to 1/18/2021
expected date of next election
January 2026
percentage of women in chamber
34.1%
parties elected and seats per party
National Resistance Movement (NRM) (336); National Unity Platform (NUP) (57); Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) (32); Independents (74); Other (30)
National anthem(s)
title
"O Uganda, Land of Beauty!"
history
adopted 1962; one of the shortest national anthems in the world
lyrics/music
George Wilberforce KAKOMOA
National symbol(s)
grey crowned crane
Administrative divisions
134 districts and 1 capital city*; Abim, Adjumani, Agago, Alebtong, Amolatar, Amudat, Amuria, Amuru, Apac, Arua, Budaka, Bududa, Bugiri, Bugweri, Buhweju, Buikwe, Bukedea, Bukomansimbi, Bukwo, Bulambuli, Buliisa, Bundibugyo, Bunyangabu, Bushenyi, Busia, Butaleja, Butambala, Butebo, Buvuma, Buyende, Dokolo, Gomba, Gulu, Hoima, Ibanda, Iganga, Isingiro, Jinja, Kaabong, Kabale, Kabarole, Kaberamaido, Kagadi, Kakumiro, Kalaki, Kalangala, Kaliro, Kalungu, Kampala*, Kamuli, Kamwenge, Kanungu, Kapchorwa, Kapelebyong, Karenga, Kasese, Kasanda, Katakwi, Kayunga, Kazo, Kibaale, Kiboga, Kibuku, Kikuube, Kiruhura, Kiryandongo, Kisoro, Kitagwenda, Kitgum, Koboko, Kole, Kotido, Kumi, Kwania, Kween, Kyankwanzi, Kyegegwa, Kyenjojo, Kyotera, Lamwo, Lira, Luuka, Luwero, Lwengo, Lyantonde, Madi-Okollo, Manafwa, Maracha, Masaka, Masindi, Mayuge, Mbale, Mbarara, Mitooma, Mityana, Moroto, Moyo, Mpigi, Mubende, Mukono, Nabilatuk, Nakapiripirit, Nakaseke, Nakasongola, Namayingo, Namisindwa, Namutumba, Napak, Nebbi, Ngora, Ntoroko, Ntungamo, Nwoya, Obongi, Omoro, Otuke, Oyam, Pader, Pakwach, Pallisa, Rakai, Rubanda, Rubirizi, Rukiga, Rukungiri, Rwampara, Sembabule, Serere, Sheema, Sironko, Soroti, Tororo, Wakiso, Yumbe, Zombo
Diplomatic representation in the US
FAX
[1] (202) 726-1727
chancery
5911 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20011
telephone
[1] (202) 726-7100
chief of mission
Ambassador Robie KAKONGE (since 12 December 2022)
email address and website
washington@mofa.go.ug https://washington.mofa.go.ug/
Diplomatic representation from the US
FAX
[256] (0) 414-259-794
embassy
1577 Ggaba Road, Kampala
telephone
[256] (0) 312-306-001
mailing address
2190 Kampala Place, Washington DC 20521-2190
chief of mission
Ambassador William W. POPP (since 20 September 2023)
email address and website
KampalaWebContact@state.gov https://ug.usembassy.gov/
International organization participation
ACP, AfDB, ATMIS, AU, C, COMESA, EAC, EADB, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITC, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NAM, OIC, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCDF, UNCTAD, UNECA, UNDP, UNFPA, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNICEF, UNIDO, UNISFA, UNOCI, UNOPS, UNSOM, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFP, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
International law organization participation
accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; accepts ICCt jurisdiction