Uganda Rule of Law
Rule of Law RL.EST
Uganda's rule of law was -0.50 in 2025, ranked 138th globally. This represents a 4.6% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank WGI, covering 1996–2025.
Overview
Uganda's rule of law stood at -0.50 in 2025, a decline of +0.02 from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach -0.50 by 2025. Uganda ranked 138th globally.
Uganda’s Rule of Law score on the World Bank Worldwide Governance Indicators has risen modestly from its earliest recorded value of –0.58 in 1996 to –0.50 in 2025, placing the country 138th globally out of 193 economies. The indicator’s all‑time peak of –0.27 occurred in 2016, reflecting a brief period of relative improvement, while the trough of –0.87 in 2000 marked the deepest weakness in the 26‑year series. Compared with peer nations of similar rank, Uganda shares its 2025 level with Lesotho (–0.50) and lags slightly behind Bangladesh (–0.49) but outperforms Zambia (–0.55) and Belize (–0.55). The gradual upward movement since the 2000 trough suggests incremental gains in judicial independence, contract enforcement, and corruption control, yet the score remains well below the neutral midpoint of zero. Continued reforms in legal infrastructure and anti‑corruption measures will be critical to sustain the modest upward trajectory and move the index closer to a positive rating.
Data & projection
| Year | Rule of Law | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | -0.53 | - | - |
| 2025* trend | -0.50 | - | - |
| 2025 | -0.50 | −0.02 | #138 |
| 2023 | -0.47 | −0.10 | #134 |
| 2022 | -0.37 | −0.00 | #124 |
| 2021 | -0.37 | −0.02 | #122 |
| 2020 | -0.35 | −0.00 | #119 |
| 2019 | -0.35 | −0.02 | #118 |
| 2018 | -0.32 | −0.00 | #118 |
| 2017 | -0.32 | −0.05 | #119 |
| 2016 | -0.27 | +0.14 | #111 |
| 2015 | -0.41 | −0.02 | #120 |
| 2014 | -0.39 | −0.05 | #118 |
| 2013 | -0.35 | +0.01 | #113 |
| 2012 | -0.36 | +0.00 | #113 |
| 2011 | -0.36 | +0.04 | #113 |
| 2010 | -0.40 | +0.01 | #117 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Uganda matched the Orthodox Tightening Cycle pattern in 2011. Historically, 57% of countries showing this pattern (177 out of 311) saw rule of law improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Uganda's rule of law was -0.50 in 2025. Ranked 138th globally. This represents a 4.6% decrease from the previous year.
Uganda's rule of law peaked at -0.27 in 2016.
The lowest rule of law in Uganda was -0.87 in 2000.
Uganda ranks 138th globally in rule of law as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is RL.EST. Data sourced from World Bank WGI.
Uganda's rule of law is projected to reach -0.50 by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The rule of law of Uganda in 2025 was -0.50. This ranks 138th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_uganda_rule-of-law,
title = {Uganda Rule of Law},
url = {https://historysaid.com/uganda/rule-of-law/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}