Living in Kampala
Uganda · tropical
Kampala is a big city of roughly 1,700,000 people inland in Uganda. The climate is tropical. It keeps a balanced mix of locals and visitors with average safety for the region. A typical month of living costs around $1,100. Healthcare is reasonable, and the internet is generally reliable. People come here for swimming, gardening and rural life, quiet days.
By 2027 something concrete is due to change here: Stadiums, airports and roads for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
Kampala at a glance: cost, climate, safety
Who tends to love living in Kampala
- Making a budget stretch further
- Getting around on foot
- Anyone into swimming
- Anyone into gardening and rural life
All parameters
💉 Childhood vaccines: Compulsory by law
Childhood vaccination is required by national law here. We have the rule and the penalty, not the official count of how many vaccines the law covers.
If you skip them: A fine, and in a few countries a criminal charge behind it.
Exemptions: Medical only.
Source: Georgetown AMP EID, survey of national legislation, 2024
📈 Popularity & prices: Growing
Accommodation prices have moved about +24% in the last 5 years.
Estimates, for orientation only.
🔭 Where this place is heading
Today’s data. Tap a year to see where it is heading.
⚠️ The downsides of living in Kampala
- •Yellow fever risk, vaccination is required or recommended.
- •Malaria is present, mostly in rural areas and the wet season.
- •Tap water isn't reliably drinkable, budget for filtered or bottled.
- •Genuinely dangerous wildlife is around, learn the local risks.
Health, air (WHO PM2.5), water & crime figures are rough country-level estimates, verify for your case.
Where is Kampala?
₿ Spend Bitcoin around Kampala
Open the Bitcoin merchant maps for this area, cafés, shops and ATMs that accept Bitcoin.
Merchants: BTC Map, from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Events and meetups: Club Orange.
Questions, answered
How much does it cost to live in Kampala, Uganda?
A typical month in Kampala costs around $1,100, covering rent and everyday expenses for one person. It is an estimate meant for comparing places, not for budgeting exactly.
Is Kampala, Uganda safe?
Arcadia rates personal safety in Kampala at 3 out of 5, which is reasonable.
What is the internet like in Kampala?
Internet in Kampala is rated 3 out of 5 for remote work, which is reasonable. Starlink is not available in this country.
What is the weather like in Kampala?
Kampala has a tropical climate.
Is healthcare good in Kampala?
Healthcare in Kampala is rated 3 out of 5 overall, which is reasonable. Public healthcare is 1/5 and private healthcare 2/5.
How easy is it to move to Uganda?
Arcadia rates the ease of getting residency in Uganda at 3 out of 5, which is reasonable. The place page lists the visa routes that apply and which depend on your passport.
Is Kampala actually right for you?
Kampala is one of 3,500+ places we compare. Answer a few honest questions and we will tell you the handful that truly fit your life, ranked and explained.
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