Flag of Uganda
countryThe flag of Uganda was adopted on October 9, 1962 to a design by Grace Ibingira. Six horizontal bands with a central white disc and a grey crowned crane. It uses 3 colours: black, yellow and red. The official proportions are 2:3.
Hoist
Ratio 2:3
Fly
Basic Flag Information
| Flag Name | Flag of Uganda |
|---|---|
| Country | Uganda |
| Official Country Name | Republic of Uganda |
| Capital | Kampala |
| Continent | Africa |
| Region | Eastern Africa |
| ISO Country Code | UG / UGA |
| Internet Domain | .ug |
| Calling Code | +256 |
| Currency | Ugandan shilling (UGX) |
| National Language(s) | English, Swahili |
| Demonym | Ugandan |
| Area | 241,550 km² |
| Population | 50 million (2025 est.) |
Flag Specifications
| Official Flag Name | Flag of Uganda |
|---|---|
| Adopted On | October 9, 1962 |
| First Used | 1962 |
| Current Version Adopted | October 9, 1962 |
| Flag Proportion | 2:3 |
| Flag Shape | Rectangle |
| Number of Colors | 3 |
| Main Colors | Black, Yellow, Red |
| Designer | Grace Ibingira |
| Design Type | Six horizontal bands with a central white disc and a grey crowned crane |
| Official Status | Official National Flag |
| Government Authority | Government of Uganda |
Flag Color Information
| Color | Appearance | HEX Code | RGB | CMYK |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black | #000000 | 0, 0, 0 | 0, 0, 0, 100 | |
| Yellow | #FCDC04 | 252, 220, 4 | 0, 13, 98, 1 | |
| Red | #D90000 | 217, 0, 0 | 0, 100, 100, 15 |
Flag Design and Symbols
| Black colour | Represents the African people |
|---|---|
| Yellow colour | Represents the African sun |
| Red colour | Represents African brotherhood — the red of blood common to all people |
| Grey crowned crane | The national bird, shown with one leg raised to suggest a nation moving forward |
Flag History
| Year / Period | Event |
|---|---|
| 1962 | The design was first used |
| 1962-10-09 | The current flag was officially adopted |
| Present | The flag remains in official use |
| Present | The flag remains in official use |
Flag Dimensions and Construction
| Official Ratio | 2:3 |
|---|---|
| Width | 2 units (hoist) |
| Length | 3 units (fly) |
Uganda Flag Usage
| Government Buildings | Yes |
|---|---|
| Schools | Yes |
| Civil Use | Yes |
| Official Ceremonies | Yes |
| Sports Events | Yes |
| National Holidays | Yes |
| Military | Yes |
| Naval Use | Yes |
| Embassies | Yes |
| International Events | Yes |
Other Official Flags of Uganda
| Flag Type | Use | Link |
|---|---|---|
| National Flag | National representation | View flag |
| Civil Flag | Used by civilians | View flag |
| State Flag | Used by government | View flag |
| War Flag | Used during military operations | View flag |
| Naval Ensign | Used by the navy | View flag |
| Air Force Flag | Used by the air force | View flag |
| Presidential Standard | Used by the head of state | View flag |
| Royal Standard | Used by the monarch | View flag |
| Historical Flag | Previous national flag | View flag |
Quick Facts About the Flag
| Flag Age | 64 years old as of 2026 |
|---|---|
| Adoption Date | October 9, 1962 |
| Oldest Version | 1962 |
| Designer | Grace Ibingira |
| Most Common Color | Black |
| Similar Flags | Eswatini |
| Unique Feature | Six horizontal bands with a central white disc and a grey crowned crane |
Other horizontal bands with a central emblem flags
See all
Facts about the Flag of Uganda
- The grey crowned crane in the white disc is shown with one leg raised, conventionally read as the nation moving forward.
- The six bands are the party colours of the Uganda People's Congress, which won the pre-independence election; the black, yellow and red also stand for the people, sunshine and brotherhood.
- The flag of Uganda was officially adopted on October 9, 1962. It was designed by Grace Ibingira.
- The flag in its present form is 64 years old as of 2026.
- Design type: Six horizontal bands with a central white disc and a grey crowned crane.
- The official proportions are 2:3. It shares that ratio with 82 national flags.
- The flag uses 3 colours: black, yellow and red.
- The black on the flag stands for the African people.
- The yellow on the flag stands for the African sun.
- The red on the flag stands for African brotherhood — the red of blood common to all people.
- Grey crowned crane: The national bird, shown with one leg raised to suggest a nation moving forward.
- The design belongs to the "Horizontal bands with a central emblem" family, shared with 3 other flags in this reference.
- Flags most often confused with it: Eswatini.
- Uganda became independent on 9 October 1962 from the United Kingdom.
- Football is the most popular sport, with distance running the strongest internationally.
- The national animal is the grey crowned crane, which appears on the flag itself.
- The national anthem is "Oh Uganda, Land of Beauty".
- The flag is flown everywhere on 9 October, Independence Day.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Flag of Uganda
When was the flag of Uganda adopted?
The flag of Uganda was officially adopted on October 9, 1962.
What do the colours of the flag of Uganda mean?
Black for the African people, yellow for the African sun and red for African brotherhood — the red of blood common to all people.
When did Uganda gain independence?
Uganda became independent on 9 October 1962 from the United Kingdom.
What is the national sport of Uganda?
Football is the most popular sport, with distance running the strongest internationally.
What do the symbols on the flag of Uganda represent?
Grey crowned crane — The national bird, shown with one leg raised to suggest a nation moving forward.
Who designed the flag of Uganda?
The flag was designed by Grace Ibingira.
What are the proportions of the flag of Uganda?
The official ratio is 2:3, which makes the flag rectangular. It shares those proportions with 82 national flags.
What is the national anthem of Uganda?
The national anthem is "Oh Uganda, Land of Beauty".
When is the national day of Uganda?
It falls on 9 October, Independence Day, and the flag is flown across the country.
What is the national animal of Uganda?
The national animal is the grey crowned crane, which appears on the flag itself.