To assess the range of variability, heritability and genetic advance and association between yield and yield component traits of rice, field experiment was conducted using twelve upland rice genotypes during 2013 main cropping season at Woreta Rice Research Center. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications under rain fed situations. The analysis of variance (ANO VA) showed significant difference nearly for all traits tested except panicle length and number of fertile tiller per plant. Grain yield ranged from 2340 kg/ha (FOFIFA-3737) to 3400 kg/ha (AD-48) with a mean value of 2868 kg/ha. The maximum yield was obtained from AD-48(3400 kg/ha) followed by AD­ O] (3396kg/ha) and AD-I 2 (3278kglha). High to medium phenotypic and genotypic coefficient of variability were observed for thousand grain weight, biomass yield and grain yield. High broad sense heritability estimates were observed for thousand seed weight, days to 75% maturity, days to 50% heading, days to 50% flowering and biomass yield kg/ha. This indicating the influence of environment on these traits is less. Hence, plant breeders may use these traits in their rice improvement programme. Jn addition, high to medium heritability and genetic advance were observed for plant height, thousand grain weight, biomass yield and grain yield. This shows that selection based on these traits can be achieved through their phenotypic performance. Therefore, these traits could be improved more easily than other characters measured in this study. Parameters such as days to 75% maturity, panicle length, plant height, number of fertile tiller per plant, number of spike let per panicle, number of filled grain per panicle and biomass yield had a positive and significant correlation with grain yield. A positive and significant estimation of correlation indicated a strong association of these traits with yield. The genotypes AD-48, AD-OJ and AD-I 2 had high grain yield, hence they can be preferable choice for cultivation in upland ecosystem. Further study on adaptation trial should be conducted for the less performing genotypes under irrigation and less rainy season areas. To improve upland rice grain yield breeders should select genotypes comprising of greater plant height, number of spikelet per panicle, number of filled grain per panicle and biomass yield. To broaden the genetic variability of upland rice and its productivity, further work should be done on introduction of new genotypes and adaptation of released varieties under different ecosystems.