Kampala: what to see and whether to move there

What the city lives on and who it suits

Kampala is the capital of Uganda on hills near Lake Victoria, a metro area of about 4 million. The country's economy rests on coffee, agriculture, tourism and, in coming years, oil near Lake Albert. The capital hosts government, banks, telecoms, international organisations and development projects, with Entebbe airport nearby.

Kampala suits staff of international organisations and NGOs, contract professionals in construction, oil and gas and telecoms, and travellers heading to mountain gorillas and safaris. The official languages are English and Swahili, so working is easier than in French-speaking Africa.

Neighbourhoods: where newcomers settle

• Kololo: a prestigious area with embassies and villas near the centre.
• Naguru: a green hill with new buildings, popular with families.
• Muyenga and Bugolobi: lake views and compounds for foreigners.
• Entebbe: a lakeside town by the airport, calmer than the capital.

Cost of living

The local currency is the Ugandan shilling, about 3,950 shillings per dollar on 6 October 2026. Housing for foreigners is usually priced in dollars, and local food is cheap.

Practicalities: climate, transport, health

Climate. At about 1,200 metres it is warm but not hot all year, with two rainy seasons: March-May and September-November. Transport. Traffic is heavy; the city moves by motorbike taxi and minibus, and foreigners by car with a driver or app taxis. Health. A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for entry, and malaria protection should be planned in advance.

Moving and legal status

• Russian citizens apply for a visa online: a single-entry tourist visa costs $50 for up to 3 months;
• there is a joint East Africa tourist visa for Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda for $100;
• work requires a contract and a work permit through an employer;
• for business you register a company and obtain a work permit as an investor.

Nature and trips

Uganda is one of three countries in the world where you can see mountain gorillas in the wild: Bwindi National Park requires a separate paid permit booked in advance. Near Kampala are the source of the White Nile at Jinja and the Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls national parks for safaris.

Money, communications and schools

Mobile money is widely used for payments and transfers, and cards are accepted in large shops, hotels and restaurants. Internet in the city is good but drops during power cuts, so homes have backup power. Foreign children can attend several international schools with British and international programmes, all fee-paying.

Work and business

Foreigners work for UN agencies, humanitarian and environmental organisations, oil, gas and construction projects, telecoms and banks. The employer arranges the work permit, and investors have a separate category with an investment requirement. Companies are registered online, with documents in English.

Getting there

The international airport is at Entebbe, about 40 km from Kampala, roughly an hour by expressway. Flights link Entebbe with Dubai, Doha, Istanbul, Addis Ababa, Nairobi and Amsterdam, with no direct flights from Russia.

Is the city worth considering

The pluses are a mild climate, English, cheap local goods, nature and safaris. The minuses are expensive housing for foreigners, traffic, malaria and political tension around elections. Kampala suits contract work and projects in East Africa.