Uganda: flag, capital, currency and history

Uganda, officially the Republic of Uganda, is a country in Eastern Africa, Africa. Its capital is Kampala. The currency is the Ugandan shilling. Languages spoken include English and Swahili.

Quick facts about Uganda

Official name: Republic of Uganda
Capital: Kampala
Region: Africa, Eastern Africa
Currency: Ugandan shilling (UGX, Sh)
Languages: English, Swahili
Calling code: +256
Internet domain: .ug
Area: 241,550 km² (93,263 sq mi)
Land borders: DR Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania
Demonym: Ugandan
National day: Independence Day, October 9

Flag of Uganda

Download the flag of Uganda as a scalable SVG or as a PNG in three sizes. The flag emoji is 🇺🇬.

SVG (vector)

History of Uganda

Bantu-speaking communities settled much of what is now Uganda over the centuries, and kingdoms such as Buganda, Bunyoro and Ankole developed in the south. Arab traders and European explorers arrived in the nineteenth century, followed by missionaries. Britain established a protectorate in 1894, ruling through a mix of direct administration and the existing kingdoms. Uganda became independent on 9 October 1962. The 1970s and early 1980s were marked by military rule and conflict, and a new government took power in 1986. Uganda is a landlocked East African republic with its capital at Kampala.

Key dates

1862British explorer John Hanning Speke reaches the kingdom of Buganda.
1894Britain declares a protectorate over Buganda, later extended to the wider territory.
1962Uganda becomes independent from Britain on 9 October.
1966The constitution is suspended and the kingdoms' special status is later ended.
1971A military coup removes the civilian government.
1986A new government takes power after years of conflict.
1995A new constitution is promulgated.