Top 10 Religious Affiliations in Uganda by Numbers 2026

Uganda is a highly religious country with at least 99.8% of the citizens acknowledging to be belonging to a certain religion.

Whereas the country is highly religious, there’s a lot of diversity with very many religious denominations. Uganda’s constitution gives citizens freedom of worship, allowing citizens to worship God according to their conscience and free will.

Most of the religions are foreign born, with Islam being the oldest foreign religion to come to the region, brought by Arabs and Swahili traders from the coast in the mid-19^th century. Anglicanism followed in 1877 with the coming of missionaries led by Alexander MacKay. Catholics came two years later in 1879. Pentecostalism arrived in the 20^th century. Traditional religions are still persisting in the country although the number continues to dwindle.

Here are the top religious affiliations in Uganda

 10. Jehovah’s Witnesses: 46,147 Believers.

Having arrived in Uganda in the late 20^th century, the non-trinitarian, restorationist religion of Jehovah’s witnesses managed to gain some followers in Uganda. They are known for their door to door evangelization doing door to door gospel spreading activities mainly of Friday.

The number of Jehovah’s Witnesses followers in Uganda increased from 22,270 people in 2014, to 46,147.

9. Traditional Faiths: 56,332 believers.

Followers of traditional/folk religions have also increased especially after movements of ultra Pan-Africanists to go back to their pre-colonial beliefs. The number of traditional religion believers in Uganda is said to be higher with more people practicing the religion in secrecy.

Among popular traditional religions are people who believe in Abacwezi, Abarangi, Abasamize, Ancestorial worship (ba Jajja) etc. The number of traditional believers increased from 33,805 in 2014 to 56,332 by 2024.

8. Orthodox Church: 65,150 Believers.

The Orthodox Church has small but steadily growing population centred mainly around Kampala. The Christian denomination saw the number increase from 48,421 in 2014 to 65,150 in 2024.

The head church is established in Namungoona, Kampala.

7. No Religion: 85,559 people.

Atheism in Uganda is on increase especially among the elites who are educated and enlightened to question the existence of Gods.

6. Other Religions: 704,334 believers.

These are people who do not belong to other major religious denominations. They include the Hindu among the Ugandan Indian community, Buddhism among Asian community in Uganda, Ow’obusobozi “The Mighty One” a religion that was founded in Uganda by God Bisaka with tens of thousands of followers in Bunyoro sub region, Bahai with their Temple in Kyebando, Kampala, named the Mother Temple of Africa, Mormons with their church in Nakulabye, Kampala and many others.

5. Seventh Day Adventist: 911,153 believers.

The Sabbatarian denomination arrived in Uganda in 1927 at a hill called Nchwanga in Kakumiro district which became their nickname (Aba-Nchwanga). The religion has now spread all over Uganda with churches in every district of the country.

They have schools, hospitals and Universities and are commonly known for observance of the Jewish Sabbath. The number of SDA members increased from 590,257 in 2014 to 911,153 in the next 10 years.

4. Islam: 6,051,317 believers.

Islam is the oldest foreign religion in Uganda. Having arrived in the Buganda region in 1850s, the religion kept spreading especially in Central Uganda and Busoga region. The religion is one of the three centralised religions in the country alongside Anglicans and Roman Catholics.

The number of Muslims increased from 4,663,204 in 2014 to 6,051,317 during the latest population census but lost their number 3 position to the mushrooming Pentecostals/evangelicals.

3. Pentecostal / Evangelicals: 6,543,196.

Pentecostals are centralised presbyterian churches that have dotted every part of the country. They are known for being aggressive in evangelisation with road side preaching, crusades in town centres and TV and Radio preaching. Claiming to be using power of prayer to do miracles, most of their believers are converts from other religions.

Major pastors in Uganda in 2026 include Pastor Robert Kayanja of Rubaga Miracle Centre, Prophet Samuel Kakande of Synagogue Church of all Nations, Pastor Aloysius Bugingo of Canaan Land, Pastor Imelda Namutebi of Liberty Worship Centre, Pastor Joseph Sserwada of Victory Centre and many others.

The number of Pentecostal believers increased from 3,790,564 in 2014 to 6,543,196 in 2024.

2. Anglican / Church of Uganda: 13,311,801.

The Anglican church arrived in 1877 in Uganda. Establishing the first church at Namirembe hill, the church has spread to all parts of the country with believers on every village in the Uganda. Anglican church has schools, hospitals, financial institutions especially SACCOS, universities, real estate business etc. in many parts of Uganda.

The number of Anglicans increased from 10,941,268 in 2014, to 13,311,801 in 2024.

2. Roman Catholic Church: 16,612,537 believers.

The Roman Catholic church is the largest religious denomination in Uganda. Having arrived in Uganda in 1877, the church focused on evangelisation of Ugandans and establishing projects that help their members which included schools, hospitals and at a later stage, banking institutions.

37.43% of Ugandans are Roman Catholics representing 16,612,537 people which is an increase from 13,407,764 in 2014.

Table showing Top Religious Affiliations in Uganda