Uganda: environment

What are Uganda's CO2 emissions?

Uganda's carbon dioxide emissions were 0.17 tonnes per person in 2024, excluding land use, according to World Bank Open Data, read on 15 October 2026. Total greenhouse gas emissions, including methane and nitrous oxide, were 57.3 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent.

Total greenhouse gases are much larger than CO2 alone because they add methane and nitrous oxide, converted to CO2 equivalent. The figures exclude land use, land-use change and forestry, so emissions from forest loss are not included. They come from international emissions databases rather than Uganda's own national inventory.

Official sources: World Bank: CO2 emissions per capita, Uganda · World Bank: total greenhouse gas emissions, Uganda

How many people in Uganda have electricity?

55.3% of Uganda's population had access to electricity in 2024, according to World Bank Open Data, read on 15 October 2026. Renewable sources produced 90.0% of Uganda's electricity in 2021.

Access includes both grid connections and off-grid sources such as solar home systems. The 2026/27 budget allocates Shs 2.07 trillion to energy. The Electricity Regulatory Authority publishes installed capacity and generation statistics on its website.

Official sources: World Bank: access to electricity, Uganda · World Bank: renewable electricity output, Uganda

How many people in Uganda have safe drinking water?

18.1% of Uganda's people used safely managed drinking water in 2024, according to WHO and UNICEF data on World Bank Open Data, read on 15 October 2026.

Safely managed means water from an improved source that is on the premises, available when needed and free from contamination. People using an improved source that falls short of any of these conditions are not counted. The 2026/27 budget allocates Shs 1.013 trillion to safe water and sanitation, with the aim of universal access.

Official sources: World Bank: safely managed drinking water, Uganda · Ministry of Finance: Budget Speech FY2026/27

What is the air quality in Uganda?

People in Uganda were exposed to an average of 31.2 micrograms of fine particles (PM2.5) per cubic metre of air in 2023, according to World Bank Open Data, read on 15 October 2026.

PM2.5 are particles small enough to reach deep into the lungs. The figure is a population-weighted annual average, modelled from satellite data and ground monitors, so it smooths out daily peaks and differences between Kampala and rural areas. The National Environment Management Authority regulates air quality.

Official sources: World Bank: PM2.5 air pollution, Uganda

How much of Uganda is forest?

Forest covered 11.95% of Uganda's land area in 2024, according to Food and Agriculture Organization data on World Bank Open Data, read on 15 October 2026.

The figure counts land with trees taller than 5 metres covering more than 10% of the ground, over at least half a hectare, including plantations. It comes from national reports to the FAO's Forest Resources Assessment, updated every few years, so changes between years are partly estimated. The Ministry of Water and Environment is responsible for forestry.

Official sources: World Bank: forest area, Uganda

How much CO2 does Uganda emit per person?

0.2 tonnes: that is carbon dioxide emissions per person in Uganda for 2024, according to the European Commission's EDGAR database. Since 2005 it has ranged from 0.1 tonnes (2005) to 0.2 tonnes (2021). Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 0.4 tonnes, and Uganda placed 36th highest of 47. Worldwide: 171st of 186.

What are Uganda's emissions?

The latest figure from the European Commission's EDGAR database, for 2024, is 57.3 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent. No year since 2005 has been higher. It is 10th highest of 47 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 24.6 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent. World rank, highest first: 73rd of 186.

How much of Uganda's energy is renewable?

The IEA, IRENA, the UN Statistics Division, the World Bank and the WHO puts the renewable share of final energy use in Uganda at 90.9% in 2022. Its high point since 2005 was 2005, at 94.5%; its low point was 2018, at 90.5%. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 70.0%; Uganda is 3rd highest of 23. Of 53 countries with 2022 data, 3rd highest.

How much of Uganda is forest?

In 2024, forest area as a share of land in Uganda was 11.9%, according to the FAO. That is the lowest since at least 2005. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 22.2%, and Uganda placed 37th highest of 48. Of 190 countries with 2024 data, 147th highest.

What is PM2.5 air pollution in Uganda?

The Global Burden of Disease study puts average exposure to fine particle air pollution (PM2.5) in Uganda at 31.2 micrograms per cubic metre in 2023. The peak was 34.6 micrograms per cubic metre in 2013 and the low 27.6 micrograms per cubic metre in 2018. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 27.5 micrograms per cubic metre, and Uganda placed 22nd highest of 48. Of 192 countries with 2023 data, 46th highest.

How much of Uganda is in national parks and reserves?

In 2025, the share of land in protected areas in Uganda was 16.1%, according to the UN Environment Programme. The figure has been the same every year since 2013. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 16.9%; Uganda is 26th highest of 48. Worldwide: 107th of 192.

What is water stress in Uganda?

In 2022, water stress in Uganda was 5.8%, according to the FAO. That is the highest since at least 2005. It is 23rd highest of 47 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 5.1%. Of 175 countries with 2022 data, 112th highest.