Quick facts
Kampala overview
Kampala (orange) and the other large cities of Uganda
Kampala lies in Central Region in Uganda at 0.32°N, 32.58°E, about 1,223 m above sea level. The local time zone is Africa/Kampala (UTC+3); GeoNames classifies it as a national capital.
It is the biggest urban centre of Uganda: the next largest cities are Nansana (532,800), Kira (462,900), Bunamwaya (413,400). Together, the three largest cities hold 5% of the national population.
The nearest large city is Bunamwaya, about 8 km away, followed by Nansana (8 km).
Uganda as a whole has a live population of 53,164,536 (+2.6% a year) and ranks #30 of 238 countries — see the Uganda population page for the full statistics and the Uganda atlas for provinces, terrain and society maps.
Cities near Kampala
Largest cities in Uganda
| # | City | Region | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | KampalaCapital | Central Region | 1,680,600 |
| 2 | Nansana | Central Region | 532,800 |
| 3 | Kira | Central Region | 462,900 |
| 4 | Bunamwaya | Central Region | 413,400 |
| 5 | Kyengera | Central Region | 285,400 |
| 6 | Mbarara | Western Region | 221,300 |
| 7 | Kasangati | Central Region | 207,800 |
| 8 | Mukono | Central Region | 191,300 |
| 9 | Njeru | Central Region | 178,800 |
| 10 | Gulu | Northern Region | 177,400 |
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Kampala?
Kampala has about 1,680,600 inhabitants according to the latest official census or estimate compiled by GeoNames. This is the city proper; the metropolitan area is larger.
Is Kampala the capital of Uganda?
Yes — Kampala is the national capital of Uganda.
How big is Kampala compared with the rest of Uganda?
Its 1,680,600 residents are 3.2% of the 53,164,536 people living in Uganda today. It is the largest city in the country.
Where is Kampala?
In Central Region, Uganda, at latitude 0.32 and longitude 32.58, 1,223 m above sea level. Nearby large cities include Bunamwaya (8 km), Nansana (8 km), Kyengera (9 km).
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Cite or link to this page
Glostats. (2026). Kampala Population 2026 — Uganda. Retrieved October 20, 2026, from https://glostats.com/cities/uganda/kampala/<a href="https://glostats.com/cities/uganda/kampala/">Kampala Population 2026 — Uganda</a> — GlostatsFigures on this page may be quoted, charted or republished as long as the page is credited with a link. Terms · Download the data as CSV · Embed a live counter.
City populations are GeoNames figures (CC BY 4.0): the latest official census or estimate for the city proper — the municipality, not the wider metropolitan area — so they can differ from "metro area" numbers you see elsewhere. Country populations are live Glostats estimates from the UN World Population Prospects. Distances are great-circle distances between city centres. Page generated 2026-10-20. More about our data.