Cost of Living in Kampala

Good to Know

• Furnished, short-term-friendly apartments in Kampala carry a real premium over standard unfurnished leases, so budget above typical 'cost of living' averages if you need a move-in-ready place.
• Prices swing hard between local markets/kafundas and expat-oriented supermarkets and restaurants — cooking with market produce and eating at local eateries is dramatically cheaper than sticking to supermarket and Western-style restaurant options.
• Furnished apartment listings often bundle utilities (water, electricity, wifi, cleaning) into the rent, especially in serviced/expat-oriented buildings — always confirm what's included before comparing prices across listings.
• Uganda has no dedicated digital nomad visa — the standard route for a multi-month stay is a single-entry tourist e-visa (USD 50, roughly 90 days), and working remotely on it is common in practice but not formally sanctioned.
• Transport is entirely cash/mobile-money based — there's no rechargeable transit card or metro pass, so budget cash (or MTN/Airtel Mobile Money) for daily boda boda and matatu rides.
• Boda bodas are the fastest way through Kampala's heavy traffic but carry real road-safety risk; helmets aren't always offered, so ask for one or bring your own.
• Kampala's coworking scene is real but small — expect a handful of established spaces (e.g., Hive Colab, Outbox, Innovation Village-style hubs) rather than the dense options found in bigger nomad hubs, so test WiFi and backup power before committing to a monthly plan.
• Mobile data and mobile money are tightly linked in Uganda — getting an MTN or Airtel local SIM (not just an e-SIM) is worth it even for short stays since boda-boda payments, small lodges, and many transactions expect a local mobile money number.