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Using inelastic X-ray scattering beyond the dipole limit and hard X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy we establish the dual nature of the U 5 f electrons in U M 2 S i 2 (M = Pd, Ni, Ru, Fe), regardless of their degree of delocalization. We have observed that the compounds have in common a local atomic-like state that is well described by the U 5 f 2 configuration with the Γ 1 ( 1 ) and Γ 2 quasi-doublet symmetry. The amount of the U 5 f 3 configuration, however, varies considerably across the U M 2 S i 2 series, indicating an increase of U 5f itineracy in going from M = Pd to Ni to Ru and to the Fe compound. The identified electronic states explain the formation of the very large ordered magnetic moments in U P d 2 S i 2 and U N i 2 S i 2 , the availability of orbital degrees of freedom needed for the hidden order in U R u 2 S i 2 to occur, as well as the appearance of Pauli paramagnetism in U F e 2 S i 2 . A unified and systematic picture of the U M 2 S i 2 compounds may now be drawn, thereby providing suggestions for additional experiments to induce hidden order and/or superconductivity in U compounds with the tetragonal body-centered T h C r 2 S i 2 structure.