Capital city in Central Region, Uganda
Kampala
East Africa's liveliest capital for nightlife, music and a growing tech scene, and the base for gorilla and Nile trips. Traffic, boda-boda crashes, dust and petty theft are the trade-offs.
At a glance
- Safety2/5High riskDetails
- Monthly budget$1,150–1,920Comfortable, one person · USh4.5M–7.5MDetails
- Value for money13/100Better value than 12% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goJun–Aug, Dec–FebWarmest: Feb, 30°CDetails
- Air quality60.1 µg/m³PM2.5 annual average (2019) · Severely pollutedDetails
- Tap waterNo, drink bottledDrink bottled or filtered water.Details
- LGBTQ+1/5DangerousDetails
- Solo travel4/5English: widely spokenDetails
- Doctor's visit$21–51Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundUberYou'll need transportDetails
- Cash or cardMixed: cards and cashCards work in hotels, malls and upscale restaurants; cash or mobile money for bodas, markets and street food.Details
Where to stay in Kampala
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Kololo | Upscale, embassies, restaurants; safest and quietest for first stays |
| Bugolobi–Muyenga | Expats and long stays; leafy, cafés, gyms, lake views |
| Ntinda–Naguru | Mid-range apartments, local food, near Innovation Village |
| Kabalagala–Kamwokya | Nightlife, bars and street food; noisy and busy |
| Nakasero | Central, hotels and offices; short boda ride from everything |
Apps that work in Kampala
Ride-hailing
Food delivery
| App | Notes |
|---|---|
| Glovo | Restaurants and groceries; widest choice |
| Jumia Food | Operates in Kampala; coverage and status vary |
- Maps: Google Maps
- Messaging: WhatsApp
- MTN MoMo: Mobile money payments
- Maps.me: Offline maps in parks
- Taxis: Street taxis and special-hire cars need a negotiated fare before you get in. Apps show the price upfront.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in Uganda.
- Mixed: cards and cash Cards work in hotels, malls and upscale restaurants; cash or mobile money for bodas, markets and street food.
- Currency: Shilling (UGX). US$1 ≈ USh3,902.24 on 03 Oct 2026.
- ATMs: ATMs in Kampala and larger towns dispense Ugandan shillings; fees about 10,000-20,000 USh plus your bank's, daily limits around 1-2 million USh.
- Tipping: 10% is appreciated in restaurants if no service charge; guides, drivers and trackers on safaris expect tips of US$10-20 a day.
- Paying by phone: MTN MoMo and Airtel Money dominate locally; visitors can register with a SIM and passport. Apple and Google Pay do not work.
Before you go
Visa and entry
- Apply for the Uganda e-visa online before travel and carry the approval letter with its barcode; visa on arrival is not offered at Entebbe.
- The East Africa Tourist Visa (US$100) covers Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda for 90 days; apply through any member's e-visa portal.
- Yellow fever vaccination certificate is required at entry; keep the paper original handy.
Emergency numbers
Police 999 · Ambulance 999 · Fire 999 · All emergencies 112
Plugs
Type G · 240 V, 50 Hz. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
Buy MTN or Airtel SIMs at Entebbe airport or shops in town; passport is needed for registration; data bundles cost a few US dollars a week. eSIMs work for visitors.
More places in Uganda
Going to Kampala solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Kampala meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
Prices are SoloSquare estimates; climate, air, safety and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.