Ranking of Uganda districts by population

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Administrative Divisions

• Regions: 4 (Central, Eastern, Northern, Western)
• Districts: 135 plus Kampala (2020) – the number continues to rise due to decentralization.
• Local Governance: Each district is headed by a Local Council (LCV) chairperson.

Uganda Districts by Population: From Most to Least Populated

Rank	District	Region	Population (2023 est.)
1	Wakiso	Central	3,519,300
2	Kampala (City)	Central	1,766,500
3	Kasese	Western	843,900
4	Yumbe	Northern	775,000
5	Isingiro	Western	658,100
6	Mubende	Central	641,800
7	Tororo	Eastern	639,700
8	Mbale	Eastern	639,700
9	Mukono	Central	757,500
10	Mayuge	Eastern	615,200
11	Kakumiro	Western	601,900
12	Kamuli	Eastern	596,100
13	Kyenjojo	Western	584,400
14	Luweero	Central	558,100
15	Arua	Northern	557,900
16	Kyegegwa	Western	551,900
17	Bugiri	Eastern	536,400
18	Lira	Northern	516,000
19	Oyam	Northern	491,600
20	Buyende	Eastern	468,400
21	Kagadi	Western	474,700
22	Ntungamo	Western	569,200
23	Jinja	Eastern	535,800
24	Soroti	Eastern	401,000
25	Serere	Eastern	401,800
26	Pallisa	Eastern	399,500
27	Masaka	Central	364,800
28	Gulu	Northern	352,500
29	Kibaale	Western	234,800
30	Hoima	Western	413,100
31	Kikuube	Western	414,400
32	Ntungamo	Western	569,200
33	Apac	Northern	249,600
34	Kole	Northern	308,800
35	Zombo	Northern	306,100
36	Koboko	Northern	287,500
37	Nebbi	Northern	306,300
38	Dokolo	Northern	232,900
39	Kitgum	Northern	232,900
40	Alebtong	Northern	286,400
41	Agago	Northern	262,500
42	Amuru	Northern	232,500
43	Adjumani	Northern	240,000
44	Amolatar	Northern	182,000
45	Amudat	Northern	151,900
46	Abim	Northern	182,800
47	Kaabong	Northern	134,400
48	Karenga	Northern	73,100
49	Kotido	Northern	219,700
50	Pader	Northern	206,700

People

• Population Growth Rate: ~3.0% annually (among the fastest in the world).
• Urbanization: ~27% urban; Kampala and Wakiso are largest urban hubs.
• Ethnic Groups: Baganda (largest), Basoga, Banyankole, Iteso, Langi, Acholi, and others.
• Religions: Christianity (Catholic, Anglican, Pentecostal) ~85%, Islam ~14%, traditional beliefs.
• Median Age: ~16 years → Uganda has one of the youngest populations globally.

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Politics

• Pre-Colonial: Kingdoms such as Buganda, Bunyoro, Toro, and Ankole dominated.
• Colonial Period: Became a British protectorate in 1894.
• Independence: Gained independence on October 9, 1962.
• Notable Leaders: Milton Obote, Idi Amin, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni (in power since 1986).
• Political System: Presidential republic with multi-party politics.

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Economy

• GDP (2023 est.): ~$50 billion (nominal).
• Key Sectors:
  • Agriculture: Coffee (top export), tea, cotton, maize, bananas, fish.
  • Industry: Agro-processing, construction, cement, textiles.
  • Services: Banking, ICT, tourism, trade.
  • Oil & Gas: Discoveries in the Albertine Graben region expected to boost the economy.
• Tourism Hotspots: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest (mountain gorillas), Queen Elizabeth National Park, Murchison Falls, Lake Victoria, Source of the Nile (Jinja).

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• Transport: Expanding road network, Entebbe International Airport, standard gauge railway under development.
• Energy: Hydropower (Nalubaale, Karuma, Isimba dams), solar, oil in future.
• ICT: Growing fintech sector; mobile money widely used.
• Urban Growth: Kampala is the economic hub; Wakiso is rapidly urbanizing.