Born in Wurzen, Saxony, and orphaned at a young age, Uhlig showed such musical talent that he was singled out for musical training, which led to becoming a violinist in the Dresden orchestra at the age of 19. In the following year (1842), Richard Wagner came to Dresden for the premiere of his opera, "Rienzi", and remained in the city as Kapellmeister until his flight following the May Uprising in the city of 1849 (in which he had taken a leading part).