Mbarara's 2026 population is now estimated at 280,941. In 2002, the population of Mbarara was 131,000. Mbarara has grown by 8,383 in the last year, which represents a 3.08% annual change. These population values and projections come from Uganda city and municipality census 2002 via CityPopulation attribution, Uganda city and municipality census 2014 via CityPopulation attribution, Uganda NPHC 2024 city population API (official) and World Population Review Internal Projections .
| City | 2026 Pop. ↓ | Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Kampala | 1,862,258 | 1.78% |
| Nansana | 765,307 | 5.13% |
| Kira | 495,289 | 3.78% |
| Makindye Ssabagabo | 479,992 | 4.49% |
| Arua | 401,865 | 2.21% |
| Mukono | 338,122 | 5.13% |
| Masaka | 320,023 | 4.3% |
| Mbale | 295,436 | 0.86% |
| Jinja | 286,090 | 1.23% |
| Mbarara | 280,941 | 3.08% |
| Lira | 253,445 | 1.68% |
| Gulu | 241,020 | 1.65% |
| Njeru | 211,110 | 2.36% |
| Hoima | 153,966 | 3.65% |
| Fort Portal | 146,447 | 3.18% |
| Kasese | 141,306 | 2.83% |
| Soroti | 139,920 | 2.11% |
| Mityana | 133,340 | 2.83% |
| Lugazi | 133,085 | 1.26% |
| Ibanda | 130,837 | 1.87% |
