Originally from Prague, Uhl studied at the Leipzig Conservatory and was a teacher at the Freudenberg Conservatory in Wiesbaden. He was active both as pianist, and music critic for the "Rheinische Courier" newspaper. At that time Wiesbaden was a very fashionable city which hosted many important musical events. For example Brahms wrote his 3rd symphony there in summer 1883. Joachim Raff (1822—1882) lived there and in nearby Frankfurt from 1853 until 1883, Nicolai von Wilm (1834—1911) lived there from 1875 to 1911, and Louis Ehlert (1825—1884) spent his last years there. He is not related to Alfred Uhl (1902-1992).