Cost of Living in Kampala (2026) — Monthly Budget

Wondering how far your salary goes in Kampala? Here’s what everyday life costs, in local prices — the numbers that matter when you’re deciding to move or negotiating a package.

What things cost

One-bed apartment, Kololo or NaguruUGX 1,800,000–3,500,000 / month

One-bed apartment, Ntinda or BugolobiUGX 900,000–1,800,000 / month

Boda ride across townUGX 3,000–10,000

Local restaurant mealUGX 10,000–30,000

Groceries, one personUGX 700,000–1,400,000 / month

Good to know

Population

≈1.8 million (city); ≈4 million in the greater Kampala area

Languages

English and Swahili official; Luganda is the language of the street

Currency

Ugandan shilling (UGX)

Time zone

EAT (GMT+3); no daylight saving

Power plug

Type G, 240 V / 50 Hz — same as the UK

Altitude

≈1,190 m — noticeably lower and warmer than Nairobi or Kigali

Driving side

Left

Climate

Warm and humid year-round with two rainy seasons; no cold season

Some of this may be out of date. Spotted something inaccurate? Help us keep it right for the next newcomer.

A note on budgeting

Rent is usually the swing factor — location and whether bills are included move the number most. Build your estimate from the rent band above, add a monthly living figure, and keep a buffer for one-off setup costs (deposits, a residence permit, a local SIM, first-month transport). Globe Quest turns this into a personalized Kampala checklist so nothing setup-related catches you off guard.