What Countries Border Uganda?

Uganda is a country is located in East-Central Africa. Officially known as the Republic of Uganda, the landlocked country has an area of about 93,065 square miles and a population of approximately 41,487,965. Uganda is located west of Kenya, east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), south of South Sudan, and north of both Tanzania and Rwanda. The country is also located within the African Great Lakes region and is partially surrounded by Lake Albert, Lake Edward, and Lake Victoria. Uganda shares land borders with five countries, which have a total length of about 1,696 miles: Kenya, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, and Tanzania.

Kenya-Uganda Border

The land border between Kenya and Uganda has a length of about 506 miles, making it Uganda's second longest land border. Kenya has a total area of about 224,445 square miles and a population of approximately 48 million people. Mombasa is Kenya's oldest city in Kenya, while Nairobi is the capital. Other important cities and towns include Kisumu, Eldoret, and Nakuru. Together with its neighbors, Uganda and Tanzania, Kenya maintains strong diplomatic relations as part of the East African Community (EAC). Mount Elgon National Park and Lake Victoria sit on the border of Kenya and Uganda, with the Uganda-Kenya-Tanzania tri-point in the eastern edge of the lake.

South Sudan-Uganda Border

Officially known as the Republic of South Sudan, the border between South Sudan and Uganda has a length of about 295 miles. South Sudan is the world’s newest country, after gaining independence from the Republic of Sudan in 2011. The young country has a population of approximately 12 million and an area of around 239,285 square miles. As a newly formed nation, South Sudan has not yet joined many international organizations but plans to join the EAC and others. Several protected areas, such as the Kideo Game Reserve, Kidepo Valley National Park, Nimule National Park, Otze Forest White Rhino Sanctuary, and the Mount Kei White Rhino Sanctuary sit on the border of South Sudan and Uganda.

Democratic Republic of Congo-Uganda Border

Uganda's longest land border is shared with the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), which has a length of about 545 miles. The DRC has a total area of about 905,567 square miles and a population of approximately 78,736,153. Although both Uganda and the DRC have a foreign embassy in the other country, diplomatic relations can be unstable due to an ongoing civil war in the DRC. Military forces include troops from neighboring countries, such as Uganda, which worsens diplomatic relations. The DRC-Uganda border runs through both Lake Albert and Lake Edward with the Queen Elizabeth National Park (Uganda) and Virunga National Park (DRC) following along the border.

Rwanda-Uganda Border

Officially known as the Republic of Rwanda, the land border between Rwanda and Uganda has a total length of about 107 miles, which is Uganda's shortest land border with a neighboring country. Rwanda is among the smallest countries in Africa, with an area of only 10,169 square miles and a population of about 11,262,564. The country has been an active member of the United Nations (UN) since its 1994 genocide. In 1998, Uganda and Rwanda joined Congolese forces attempting to overthrow the Congolese government. The DRC-Rwanda-Uganda tri-point sits at the convergence of the Mgahinga Gorilla National Park (Uganda) and Volcanoes National Park (Rwanda).

Tanzania-Uganda Border

Tanzania’s land border with Uganda has a length of about 243 miles. Officially known as the United Republic of Tanzania, the country has an area of around 365,756 square miles and a population of about 55,572,201. Tanzania maintains cordial international relations with most neighboring countries, except for border issues with Malawi. Together with Uganda and Kenya, Tanzania is part of the East African Community (EAC). The majority of the Tanzania-Uganda border runs through Lake Victoria, with the Tanzania-Uganda-Kenya tri-point sitting at the eastern edge of the lake. The Tanzania-Uganda-Rwanda tri-point meets at the western boundary of Tanzania's Ibanda Game Reserve.