As President Yoweri Museveni seeks to extend his rule into a seventh term, potentially marking 40 years in power, Uganda finds itself at a crossroads. With one of the youngest populations in the world, ambitious oil projects, and mounting political scrutiny, the East African nation is drawing global attention.
Here are five key things to know about Uganda as it heads into a pivotal election.
1. Uganda’s Heavy Regional Military Footprint
Uganda’s modern history remains shaped by conflict. The country is still haunted by the brutal rule of Idi Amin (1971–1979), whose regime Museveni helped overthrow as a guerrilla fighter.
Since taking power in 1986, Museveni has positioned Uganda as a strategic regional and Western ally, particularly to the United States.
- Uganda has been the largest African troop contributor in Somalia since 2007, fighting Al-Shabaab militants.
- Its army fought two devastating wars in the Democratic Republic of Congo and maintains a presence there.
- In March, Ugandan troops were deployed to South Sudan to back President Salva Kiir—an action critics say violated a UN arms embargo.
2. One of the World’s Harshest Anti-LGBTQ Laws
Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Act, signed into law in May 2023, is among the strictest globally.
The legislation includes:
- Severe prison sentences for same-sex relations
- Criminal penalties for “promoting” homosexuality
- The death penalty for “aggravated homosexuality,” though executions have not been carried out in years
Human Rights Watch says the law has “institutionalised homophobia.” In response, the World Bank suspended new loans, later resuming lending in June 2025 after introducing safeguards against discrimination.
3. Oil Dreams Amid Persistent Poverty
Agriculture remains the backbone of Uganda’s economy, with coffee as its top export, alongside refined gold and a growing tourism sector.
Under Museveni, Uganda has posted steady economic growth, exceeding six percent in 2024–2025, according to the World Bank. Yet around 60 percent of Ugandans live on $3 a day or less, with corruption frequently cited as a drag on development.
The government is betting big on oil:
- Major reserves were discovered near Lake Albert in 2006
- Uganda plans to export crude via a $10 billion pipeline project involving TotalEnergies and CNOOC
- The 1,443-kilometre heated pipeline—the longest of its kind—will carry oil to Tanga Port in Tanzania, with operations expected to begin in June
Environmental groups have strongly opposed the project.
4. A Nation Defined by Youth and Natural Beauty
Uganda has one of the youngest populations on Earth:
- 51.4 million people in 2025
- 50 percent under the age of 18
- Just two percent over 65
Dubbed the “Pearl of Africa” by Winston Churchill, Uganda boasts extraordinary natural diversity:
- Lake Victoria and the Nile River
- Snow-capped Rwenzori Mountains
- Bwindi National Park, home to half the world’s mountain gorillas
- Mount Stanley, Africa’s third-highest peak at 5,109 metres
5. Africa’s Largest Refugee Host
Uganda hosts more refugees than any other African nation, with the United Nations estimating two million refugees in 2025.
Most have fled conflict in:
- Sudan
- South Sudan
- Democratic Republic of Congo
While Uganda’s open-door refugee policy is widely praised, aid agencies warn the system is under immense strain. The government has also faced allegations of inflating refugee numbers to increase international aid.
