# Northern Region, Uganda – Districts, Population & Map

> Source: https://wherepedia.org/uganda/northern/

Region · Uganda 

# Northern Region

Northern Region is a region of Uganda. It had an estimated **9,509,382 people** in 2022 on 85,407 km² (about 111 per km²). Its main town is Gulu. It is divided into 37 districts. 12,768 named villages and localities are recorded here, and 6,234 mapped services such as hospitals, banks and schools.

- 9,509,382people (2022)
- 85,407km²
- 37districts
- 6,234mapped services

## How many people live in Northern Region?

Northern Region had an estimated **9,509,382 people** in 2022 — 20.6% of Uganda, the least populous of 4 regions. There are 1,071 women for every 1,000 men (above the Uganda figure of 1,054). Spread over 85,407 km², that is about **111 people per km²**, the least densely populated of 4 regions.

49.5% of people are children under 15 and 2.6% are 65 or older; the median age is about 15 years (it is 16 across Uganda). For every 100 people of working age (15–64) there are 109 children and older people.

0–4 ****1,768,167**

5–9 ****1,603,695**

10–14 ****1,337,420**

15–19 ****1,126,248**

20–24 ****778,874**

25–29 ****641,527**

30–34 ****536,977**

35–39 ****416,346**

40–44 ****311,480**

45–49 ****259,374**

50–54 ****198,359**

55–59 ****163,427**

60–64 ****123,615**

65–69 ****108,219**

70–74 ****58,527**

75–79 ****44,353**

80+ ****32,774**

Source: [Uganda Bureau of Statistics via OCHA HDX, population 2023 (COD-PS, CC BY-IGO)](https://data.humdata.org/dataset/cod-ps-uga).

## Where is Northern Region?

Northern Region lies in [Uganda](https://wherepedia.org/uganda/). It borders 3 other regions: [Central Region](https://wherepedia.org/uganda/central/), [Eastern Region](https://wherepedia.org/uganda/eastern/) and [Western Region](https://wherepedia.org/uganda/western/). By area it is the largest of 4 regions in Uganda. It covers 35.4% of [Uganda](https://wherepedia.org/uganda/). The centre of Northern Region is about 277 km in a straight line from Kampala, the capital. The centre point is at 2.7977° N, 32.8217° E.

Source: [Uganda Bureau of Statistics with support from WHO via OCHA HDX, administrative boundaries (COD-AB, CC BY-IGO)](https://data.humdata.org/dataset/cod-ab-uga).

## Things to see in and around Northern Region

OpenStreetMap lists 85 named sights in Northern Region: 37 attractions; 14 nature reserves; 8 museums; 6 waterfalls; 5 viewpoints; 4 ruins; 3 castles and forts; 3 memorials; 2 monuments; 2 volcanos; 1 cave.

- ATEKER CULTURAL CENTRE MUSEUM · museum
- Armgod Black's Parlour · museum
- Karamoja Cultural Museum · museum
- LANGO HERITAGE CENTRE MUSEUM · museum
- Lendu chiefdom · museum
- MADI COMMUNITY MUSEUM · museum
- MADI LUGBARA MUSUEM · museum
- Rwoth Upanu tomb · museum
- Chief Acleo Ojara Palace · castle or fort
- Fort Patiko · castle or fort
- Gang Parwots Palace · castle or fort
- Aruu Falls · waterfall
- Inyau Water Tracking plant · waterfall
- Karuma Falls · waterfall
- Karuma Falls · waterfall
- Miriadua Water Falls · waterfall
- St. Lawrence Waterfall · waterfall
- Abiba Central Forest Reserve · nature reserve
- Ajia Wildlife Reserve · nature reserve
- Along-Kongo Central Forest Reserve · nature reserve
- East Madi Wildlife Reserve · nature reserve
- Karenga Community Wildlife Management Area · nature reserve
- Kidepo Valley National Park · nature reserve
- Lira Central Forest Reserve · nature reserve
- Morungole Community Wildlife Conservancy · nature reserve
- Murchison Aswa Falls Conservancy · nature reserve
- Murchison Falls National Park · nature reserve
- Nyangea-Napore Forest Reserve · nature reserve
- Proposed Naperotom Community Cconservancy · nature reserve
- Wenyweny Community Wildlife Conservancy · nature reserve

…and 55 more.

Source: [© OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), Geofabrik extract — named settlements](https://www.openstreetmap.org/copyright).

Named attractions, museums, viewpoints, historic sites and natural features mapped in OpenStreetMap. Places of worship are not listed.

## Know before you go: Northern Region

- Time zoneUTC+3, no daylight saving · Africa/Kampala
- CurrencyShilling (UGX)
- Country calling code+256
- LanguagesEnglish, Ganda, Swahili, Arabic
- Plug typesType G · 240 V
- Driving sideLeft
- Postcode format5 digits (#####)

### Nearest airports

- Gulu Airport (ULU) · Gulu61 km
- Soroti Airport (SRT) · Soroti149 km

### Nearest railway station

Otwal (Aleka), about 36 km from the centre.

### Daylight

Days are longest in Jun (about 12.3 hours, sunrise around 06:40) and shortest in Dec (about 12.0 hours, sunrise around 06:44, sunset around 18:42).

Month Sunrise Sunset Daylight 

Jan 06:58 18:56 12.0 h 

Feb 07:02 19:03 12.0 h 

Mar 06:55 19:01 12.1 h 

Apr 06:43 18:54 12.2 h 

May 06:37 18:52 12.2 h 

Jun 06:40 18:57 12.3 h 

Jul 06:46 19:02 12.3 h 

Aug 06:47 18:59 12.2 h 

Sep 06:40 18:48 12.1 h 

Oct 06:32 18:36 12.1 h 

Nov 06:33 18:33 12.0 h 

Dec 06:44 18:42 12.0 h 

Source: [GeoNames country and time-zone files (CC BY 4.0)](https://www.geonames.org/); [Wikidata (CC0) — plug types, mains voltage, driving side; retrieved 2026-11-02](https://www.wikidata.org/); [OurAirports (public domain)](https://ourairports.com/data/).

Airports with scheduled passenger flights; straight-line distances. Daylight is calculated for the 15th of each month in local standard time. Check entry and visa rules with official government sources before travelling.

## Districts of Northern Region

District People per km² Area km² Counties Services 

[Arua District](https://wherepedia.org/uganda/northern/arua/) 821,019 354 2,319 4 867 

[Yumbe District](https://wherepedia.org/uganda/northern/yumbe/) 770,434 331 2,328 1 577 

[Lira District](https://wherepedia.org/uganda/northern/lira/) 527,434 399 1,322 2 394 

[Oyam District](https://wherepedia.org/uganda/northern/oyam/) 501,708 223 2,253 1 176 

[Gulu District](https://wherepedia.org/uganda/northern/gulu/) 359,814 192 1,872 2 453 

[Kole District](https://wherepedia.org/uganda/northern/kole/) 314,859 294 1,072 1 121 

[Zombo District](https://wherepedia.org/uganda/northern/zombo/) 312,651 351 890 1 280 

[Nebbi District](https://wherepedia.org/uganda/northern/nebbi/) 310,975 313 994 2 224 

[Nwoya District](https://wherepedia.org/uganda/northern/nwoya/) 299,211 63 4,737 1 110 

[Alebtong District](https://wherepedia.org/uganda/northern/alebtong/) 292,937 188 1,556 1 111 

[Koboko District](https://wherepedia.org/uganda/northern/koboko/) 290,646 381 763 2 143 

[Agago District](https://wherepedia.org/uganda/northern/agago/) 271,054 77 3,514 1 164 

[Apac District](https://wherepedia.org/uganda/northern/apac/) 254,371 142 1,791 2 145 

[Adjumani District](https://wherepedia.org/uganda/northern/adjumani/) 250,003 80 3,114 1 223 

[Kitgum District](https://wherepedia.org/uganda/northern/kitgum/) 240,718 58 4,152 2 199 

[Kwania District](https://wherepedia.org/uganda/northern/kwania/) 238,459 169 1,408 1 94 

[Amuru District](https://wherepedia.org/uganda/northern/amuru/) 238,089 66 3,590 1 162 

[Dokolo District](https://wherepedia.org/uganda/northern/dokolo/) 237,880 219 1,086 1 119 

[Maracha District](https://wherepedia.org/uganda/northern/maracha/) 226,120 515 439 1 98 

[Pakwach District](https://wherepedia.org/uganda/northern/pakwach/) 223,140 215 1,039 1 126 

[Omoro District](https://wherepedia.org/uganda/northern/omoro/) 219,609 141 1,556 1 106 

[Pader District](https://wherepedia.org/uganda/northern/pader/) 213,262 65 3,302 1 141 

[Kotido District](https://wherepedia.org/uganda/northern/kotido/) 207,725 57 3,631 2 53 

[Amolatar District](https://wherepedia.org/uganda/northern/amolatar/) 201,244 112 1,796 1 94 

[Madi Okollo District](https://wherepedia.org/uganda/northern/madi-okollo/) 187,810 93 2,019 1 173 

[Abim District](https://wherepedia.org/uganda/northern/abim/) 177,943 65 2,752 1 66 

[Napak District](https://wherepedia.org/uganda/northern/napak/) 171,400 38 4,477 1 68 

[Lamwo District](https://wherepedia.org/uganda/northern/lamwo/) 153,648 28 5,444 1 141 

[Amudat District](https://wherepedia.org/uganda/northern/amudat/) 152,810 94 1,632 1 24 

[Otuke District](https://wherepedia.org/uganda/northern/otuke/) 151,640 92 1,650 1 69 

[Kaabong District](https://wherepedia.org/uganda/northern/kaabong/) 135,197 28 4,748 1 77 

[Moroto District](https://wherepedia.org/uganda/northern/moroto/) 129,591 37 3,542 2 83 

[Nakapiripirit District](https://wherepedia.org/uganda/northern/nakapiripirit/) 128,697 54 2,379 1 54 

[Nabilatuk District](https://wherepedia.org/uganda/northern/nabilatuk/) 103,031 57 1,805 1 33 

[Moyo District](https://wherepedia.org/uganda/northern/moyo/) 92,184 89 1,041 1 106 

[Karenga District](https://wherepedia.org/uganda/northern/karenga/) 74,110 29 2,549 1 60 

[Obongi District](https://wherepedia.org/uganda/northern/obongi/) 27,959 33 847 1 100 

Source: [Uganda Bureau of Statistics with support from WHO via OCHA HDX, administrative boundaries (COD-AB, CC BY-IGO)](https://data.humdata.org/dataset/cod-ab-uga); [Uganda Bureau of Statistics via OCHA HDX, population 2023 (COD-PS, CC BY-IGO)](https://data.humdata.org/dataset/cod-ps-uga).

## Largest towns in Northern Region

- Gulu177,400
- Lira119,323
- Kotido75,700
- Arua72,400
- Apac67,700
- Koboko64,500
- Kitgum56,891
- Yumbe47,600
- Paidha42,733
- Nebbi41,400
- Adjumani37,100
- Pakwach28,700
- Abim24,400
- Anaka24,000
- Dokolo23,700

Source: [GeoNames (CC BY 4.0) — settlements, natural and historic features](https://www.geonames.org/).

Populations as recorded in GeoNames, which may be older than the estimates above.

## Landscape and landmarks of Northern Region

Named natural and historic features inside Northern Region, from the GeoNames gazetteer.

### Water

1,391 rivers and streams; 6 dams; 4 lakes; 2 waterfalls.

- Abagedo
- Abalang
- Abaler
- Aber
- Abera
- Abera
- Abere
- Aberipila
- Abeyo
- Abilgiri
- Abo
- Aboke
- Abole
- Abolo
- Aboloo
- Abongo
- Abongocwara
- Abongonyara
- Abor
- Abora
- Abubore
- Abucunye
- Abudunu
- Abuge

…and 1,379 more.

### Coast and islands

4 islands.

- Anok Island
- Anyi Island
- Ijinga Island
- Utsene Island

### Hills and mountains

709 hills; 125 mountains; 8 peaks; 1 mountain pass; 1 valley.

- Moroto · 3,044 m
- Sogolomon · 2,905 m
- Morueris · 2,554 m
- Morungole · 2,497 m
- Susok · 2,394 m
- Rom · 2,373 m
- Ayass · 2,348 m
- Aki · 2,345 m
- Imagit · 2,340 m
- Goula · 2,315 m
- Lodaja · 2,294 m
- Old Rom · 2,293 m
- Kawalakol · 2,221 m
- Rom III · 2,200 m
- Narokuma · 2,185 m
- Nabarututu · 2,184 m
- Lotim · 2,181 m
- Lagorlukuju · 2,160 m
- Zulia · 2,157 m
- Neringadoket · 2,154 m
- Kaleri · 2,147 m
- Lotogoi · 2,147 m
- Kokoro · 2,131 m
- Naposimoru · 2,116 m

…and 820 more.

### Forests and nature

74 forest reserves; 30 forests; 11 wildlife reserves; 1 park.

- Abera Forest Reserve
- Abiba Forest Reserve
- Acholi-Bur Local Forest Reserve
- Acwa Lolim Game Reserve
- Adwong-Dokinyom Forest Reserve
- Agoro-Agu Central Forest Reserve
- Ajai Game Reserve
- Alongokong Forest Reserve
- Alui Forest Reserve
- Amuka Forest Reserve
- Anyau
- Aram Central Forest Reserve
- Aringa River Central Forest Reserve
- Arwotlwor Forest Reserve
- Atiya
- Ave Forest Reserve
- Awic-Achwa-Putongo Forest Reserve
- Ayipe Forest Reserves
- Ayugi Forest
- Ayugi Forest Reserve
- Barituku
- Bokora Wildlife Reserve
- Dufile Animal Sanctuary
- Elephant Nature Park

…and 92 more.

### History

1 ruin; 1 fort.

- Bungu Fort
- Dufile

### Estates

1 estate.

- Neem Plantation

### Getting around

10 airports; 7 airfields; 2 railway stations.

- Adjumani Airport
- Amudat
- Aparanga Station
- Arua Airport
- Arua airport
- Gulu Airport
- Kaabong
- Kabalega Falls Airport
- Kidepo Airport
- Kitgum Airport
- Kotido
- Kotido Airport
- Lakwatomer Station
- Lira Airport
- Matany
- Moroto Airport
- Moyo Airport
- Pader Palwo North
- Patongo

Source: [GeoNames (CC BY 4.0) — settlements, natural and historic features](https://www.geonames.org/).

Places of worship are not listed. Elevations are from the GeoNames terrain model and are approximate.

## Weather in Northern Region and the best time to visit

In Northern Region, the warmest month is Feb (average 28 °C) and the coolest is Jul (23 °C). About 911 mm of rain falls in a year; the wettest month is May (128 mm) and the driest Jan (10 mm). The most comfortable months for a visit are **October to January, March to April and June to August**.

- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec

Month Average °C Rain mm 

Jan 27 10 

Feb 28 10 

Mar 28 40 

Apr 26 99 

May 25 128 

Jun 24 87 

Jul 23 92 

Aug 24 115 

Sep 25 120 

Oct 25 117 

Nov 25 58 

Dec 25 34 

Source: [NASA POWER climatology, retrieved 2026-10-29](https://power.larc.nasa.gov/).

## Hospitals, banks and other services in Northern Region

Places mapped inside Northern Region in open map data, by type.

- Hospitals854
- Banks93
- ATMs5
- Petrol pumps104
- Hotels408
- Shopping malls9
- Schools4,017
- Colleges and universities103
- Cinemas3
- Pharmacies226
- Restaurants316
- Police stations94
- Dental clinics2

Source: [Overture Maps places (CDLA-Permissive-2.0) and © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL)](https://overturemaps.org/).

Coverage depends on what has been mapped; contact details are not shown.

## Quick answers

- Where is Northern Region?In Uganda
- What is the population of Northern Region?9,509,382 (2022 estimate)
- What is the median age in Northern Region?About 15 years (2022 estimate)
- What is the population density of Northern Region?About 111 people per km²
- What borders Northern Region?Central Region, Eastern Region and Western Region
- What is there to see in Northern Region?ATEKER CULTURAL CENTRE MUSEUM, Abiba Central Forest Reserve, Agoda, Ajia Wildlife Reserve
- What time zone is Northern Region in?UTC+3
- What currency is used in Northern Region?Shilling (UGX)
- What language is spoken in Northern Region?English, Ganda, Swahili (main languages nationally)
- What is the largest town in Northern Region?Gulu
- What is the highest point in Northern Region?Moroto (3,044 m, GeoNames elevation model)
- What is the best time to visit Northern Region?October to January, March to April and June to August
- How many hospitals are in Northern Region?854 mapped
- How many banks are in Northern Region?93 mapped
- How many ATMs are in Northern Region?5 mapped
- How many petrol pumps are in Northern Region?104 mapped
- What is the P-code of Northern Region?UG3 (OCHA common operational dataset)