Capital of Uganda: Kampala — Facts & 5-Question Quiz
The capital of Uganda is Kampala. Uganda sits in Africa, has a population of 47,249,585, and uses the UGX. Official languages include English, Swahili.
Quick facts
- Capital: Kampala
- Continent: Africa
- Population: ~47,249,585
- Area: 241,038 km²
- Population density: 196 people per km²
- Official languages: English, Swahili
- Currency: UGX
- ISO code: UG
How big is Uganda?
By population, Uganda ranks 31st in the world, holding roughly 0.59% of all people on Earth. By land area it ranks 79th.
Those two numbers rarely match, and the gap between them is the interesting part. Uganda has 196 people per square kilometre, which is about 3.3 times the world average of 59.4. It is more crowded than its size alone would suggest.
Within Africa, Uganda is the 8th most populous country of 54.
Countries of a similar size
The two countries closest to Uganda in population are Spain (47,558,630) and Sudan (46,874,204).
By land area, its closest counterparts are Ghana (238,533 km²) and United Kingdom (243,610 km²).
Comparisons like these are worth more than raw figures when you are trying to remember them. A number on its own is hard to hold; a number next to a country you already have a feel for is much easier.
Language and currency
English is spoken officially in 58 countries in this dataset, including Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados and Belize, and 52 others.
Uganda uses the UGX, and it is the only country that does, which makes the currency name a reliable one-to-one clue.
How to remember Uganda
Kampala grew up on an area of many hills and swamps that was once the heart of the Buganda Kingdom. For the flag, read the stripes twice: black-yellow-red, black-yellow-red, with a crane standing in the middle.
The flag of Uganda: black, yellow and red, with a grey crowned crane
🇺🇬 The flag is six horizontal stripes of black, yellow, red, black, yellow and red, with a white disc in the centre showing a grey crowned crane. Black stands for the African people, yellow for sunshine and vitality, and red for African brotherhood. The crane is Uganda's national symbol. The flag was adopted on 9 October 1962.
Region and neighbours
Uganda is a landlocked country in East Africa, in the African Great Lakes region, that includes a large part of Lake Victoria. It shares land borders with 5 countries: Kenya, South Sudan, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda and Tanzania. Uganda is landlocked, with no coast on the open ocean.
- Kenya 🇰🇪 — capital Nairobi
- South Sudan 🇸🇸 — capital Juba
- Democratic Republic of the Congo 🇨🇩 — capital Kinshasa
- Rwanda 🇷🇼 — capital Kigali
- Tanzania 🇹🇿 — capital Dodoma
Three facts about Uganda
- The south of Uganda takes in a large part of Lake Victoria, which it shares with Kenya and Tanzania.
- Uganda lies almost completely within the Nile basin. The Victoria Nile drains from Lake Victoria into Lake Kyoga and on into Lake Albert.
- Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Rwenzori Mountains National Park are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Sources: Wikipedia: Uganda, Wikipedia: Flag of Uganda, Wikipedia: Kampala, CIA World Factbook.
Quiz yourself on Uganda
- African capitals quiz — match Uganda to Kampala
- African flags quiz — spot the Uganda flag among its neighbours
- Landlocked countries quiz — Uganda has no sea coast
Uganda capital quiz
What is the capital of Uganda 🇺🇬?
- Yamoussoukro
- Maseru
- Lusaka
- Kampala
Show answer
Kampala
What is the capital of Sudan 🇸🇩?
- Bangui
- Khartoum
- Kigali
- Malabo
Show answer
Khartoum
What is the capital of Algeria 🇩🇿?
- Algiers
- Praia
- Bissau
- Abuja
Show answer
Algiers
What is the capital of Kenya 🇰🇪?
- Abuja
- Dodoma
- Moroni
- Nairobi
Show answer
Nairobi
What is the capital of Morocco 🇲🇦?
- Lilongwe
- Victoria
- Rabat
- Freetown
Show answer
Rabat
Uganda in Africa
The largest countries by population sharing this continent are Nigeria, Ethiopia, Egypt and Democratic Republic of the Congo.
If you are learning capitals region by region — far more effective than working alphabetically — Africa is the block Uganda belongs to, and its neighbours are the ones worth learning alongside it.
Try the Country to Capital Quiz, or the harder reverse direction. There is also a full country profile for Uganda.
Frequently asked questions
What is the capital of Uganda?
The capital of Uganda is Kampala.
What is the population of Uganda?
About 47,249,585, making it the 31st most populous country in the world.
How big is Uganda?
241,038 square kilometres, ranking 79th by land area, at a density of 196 people per square kilometre.
What currency does Uganda use?
The UGX, which no other country uses.
What are the colours of the Uganda flag?
The flag of Uganda is six horizontal stripes of black, yellow, red, black, yellow and red, with a white disc in the centre showing a grey crowned crane. Black stands for the African people, yellow for sunshine and vitality, and red for African brotherhood. The crane is Uganda's national symbol. The flag was adopted on 9 October 1962.
Which countries border Uganda?
Uganda shares land borders with Kenya, South Sudan, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda and Tanzania.
How can I remember the capital of Uganda?
Kampala grew up on an area of many hills and swamps that was once the heart of the Buganda Kingdom. For the flag, read the stripes twice: black-yellow-red, black-yellow-red, with a crane standing in the middle.
More capitals to learn
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