<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0206</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2023-12-01</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>1</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000857855</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>UNITED COMMUNITY BANKS INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>UCBI</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001998941</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>JAMES JOHN MARC</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O UNITED COMMUNITY BANKS, INC.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>PO BOX 398</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>BLAIRSVILLE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>GA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>30512</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Melinda Davis Lux, as Attorney in Fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2023-12-04</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
