GIS Data Africa: Uganda's Top Sources

When it comes to African GIS data, Uganda stands out as a country with rich and diverse datasets essential for geospatial analysis. Whether you're a researcher, analyst, or developer, finding reliable and accurate GIS data sources for Uganda can significantly enhance your projects. In this article, we explore the top data repositories and resources that provide comprehensive geospatial and statistical data for Uganda. From demographic information to environmental and economic data, these sources offer invaluable insights for various applications. Dive into our guide to discover the best GIS data for Uganda and elevate your geospatial projects to the next level.

Data Sources

Regional Centre For Mapping of Resources for Development

https://maps.rcmrd.org/arcgis/rest/services/Uganda

Land Degradation Monitoring and Assessment (2018-2020)

This service offers detailed land degradation monitoring and assessment products developed using the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE). Key parameters include soil erosivity, slope, rainfall intensity, population, and land cover. These datasets are essential for understanding soil erosion and land degradation patterns across Uganda.

Open Geographical Regional Reference Vector Database

The Open Geographical Regional Reference Vector Database, available at a 1:1 million scale, focuses on water and agro-ecological zoning. This comprehensive and consistent geographical database is developed using open data sources. Key features include:

Detailed Layers Available

The following layers are available within this service, providing extensive data for various applications:

• Subcountry boundary 
• National boundary 
• Districts boundary 
• Waterbodies 
• Wetland Area PerCapita 
• Wetlands 
• Wetlands Extent and Types 
• Protected Areas (2007) 
• Education Facilities 
• Health Facilities 
• Uganda Towns 
• DEM_SRTM30meters 
• Isobioclimates 
• Landuse_landcover 
• Terrestrial_Ecosystem 

Uganda National Electrification Strategy Data

https://ied-sa.fr:6443/arcgis/rest/services/UGANDA

The Uganda National Electrification Strategy Data offers an invaluable resource for understanding and advancing the country's electrification efforts. This comprehensive dataset includes information on solar and hydro mini-grids, grid extensions, and various energy infrastructure components. Researchers and policymakers can use this data to identify potential villages for Solar Home Systems (SHS) and to plan the installation of solar and hydro mini-grids, enhancing rural electrification.

Additionally, the dataset provides detailed insights into the national power grid, including existing and planned networks, substations, and transformers. It also includes data on medium voltage (MV) networks and operational and planned networks managed by the Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Limited (UETCL). This information is crucial for optimizing grid extensions and improving service delivery across Uganda. The inclusion of administrative boundaries such as service territories, parishes, and the national boundary further supports detailed geographic and demographic analysis, making this dataset a vital tool for driving the nation's electrification strategy.

Bio-Fuel, Conservation, and Food Crops in Uganda

http://maps.continentalshelf.org/ARCGIS/rest/services/uganda/MapServer

The Bio-Fuel, Conservation, and Food Crops interactive map provides a crucial data source for assessing land resources in Uganda suitable for bio-fuel feedstock production. Developed under the National Environment Information Network and executed by the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) of Uganda, this map is an invaluable tool for land use planning and policy development.

Key Features of the Data Source

This interactive map offers comprehensive layers that highlight land suitability and potential conflicts between bio-fuel feedstocks and food crops. It integrates various datasets to provide a detailed analysis of land resources in Uganda. The layers include:

• Boundaries
• Lakes
• Districts
• Protected Areas
• Wetlands
• Jatropha, Oil Palm, and Sugar Cane suitability and recommendations
• Conflict/overlap data for bio-fuel feedstocks and maize
• Environmental data: Precipitation, Temperature (maximum and minimum), Soil Productivity, Topography

Prepared by UNEP/GRID-Arendal and Hugo Ahlenius from Nordpil, this data source is essential for stakeholders involved in sustainable bio-fuel development, conservation efforts, and agricultural planning. By providing detailed and interactive geographical information, it helps in making informed decisions to balance bio-fuel production with food security and environmental conservation.