[2][3] Ueland was the son of Gabriel Osmundsen (1760–1843) and his wife Ingeborg Osmundsdatter Skaaland (1764–1816).

Ueland was born on the Skåland farm in Lund parish in Rogaland, Norway.

Ueland was raised in the traditional district of Dalane, a region characterized by small farms and an environment influenced by the Haugean Movement (haugianere).

[4] Although his formal education had been limited to random local lessons, he had proven an unusual aptitude for learning and an appetite for reading.

[5] He was elected to the Norwegian Parliament in 1833, representing the rural constituency of Stavanger Amt (now Rogaland).