Uganda
Profiled in Kampala · East Africa
Kampala sprawls across green hills above Lake Victoria, a loud and warm coffee-scented capital where boda-boda motorbikes weave through some of Africa's most cheerful chaos.
Cost of living
What a month costs
Local living is genuinely cheap, but expat-standard housing in Kololo or Nakasero, imported groceries and international school fees push a Western lifestyle far higher.
The scores
How it rates for a moving family
See and do
Top 10 in Kampala
- Kasubi TombsUNESCO-listed royal burial site of the Buganda kings, rebuilt after a 2010 fire.
- Uganda MuseumThe oldest museum in East Africa, strong on ethnography and traditional instruments.
- Uganda National MosqueThe Gaddafi Mosque on Old Kampala hill, whose minaret gives the best city view.
- Namirembe CathedralHistoric red-brick Anglican cathedral on Namirembe hill.
- Rubaga CathedralSt Mary's Catholic cathedral crowning Rubaga hill.
- Kabaka's Palace (Lubiri)The Buganda royal palace at Mengo, with the grim Idi Amin-era underground cells.
- Baha'i House of WorshipThe Mother Temple of Africa on Kikaya hill, set in quiet green gardens.
- Ndere Cultural CentreLive traditional dance and drumming from across Uganda, best on a Sunday evening.
- Namugongo Martyrs ShrineMajor pilgrimage site on the city edge, thronged every June.
- Independence MonumentThe 1962 landmark in the city centre marking the end of British rule.
Where to go
Weekend escapes
- JinjaThe source of the Nile, about two hours east, famous for white-water rafting and riverside lodges.
- EntebbeLakeside town 40 minutes south with the botanical gardens, a beach and the international airport.
- Ssese IslandsA calm archipelago on Lake Victoria reached by ferry from Entebbe, good for a slow beach weekend.
- Lake Mburo National ParkThe closest savannah park, around four hours southwest, with zebra, impala and walking safaris.
- Murchison Falls National ParkThe Nile squeezing through a narrow gorge, roughly five hours northwest, best over a long weekend.
Coffee
Best cafes
- Endiro CoffeeHome-grown Ugandan coffee house with a strong ethical story, busy at the Kisementi branch.
- 1000 Cups Coffee HouseA long-running coffee spot near Buganda Road pouring beans from across the country.
- PrunesLeafy garden cafe in Kololo popular for weekend brunch and fresh juices.
- Cafe PapReliable central cafe for coffee, pastries and people-watching.
Restaurants
Where to eat
- The LawnsKololo institution known for grilled game meats in a garden setting.
- MediterraneoLong-established Italian in Kololo with wood-fired pizza and a proper wine list.
- Yujo IzakayaWell-regarded Japanese spot for sushi and small plates in Bukoto.
- Fang FangVeteran Chinese restaurant that has fed Kampala for decades.
- Khana KhazanaPopular Indian restaurant with a shady terrace.
- Cafe JavasHome-grown all-day chain with huge portions and a loyal local following.
Morning
Best breakfast
- Cafe JavasThe default big breakfast in town, from full fry-ups to pancakes.
- PrunesGarden brunch of eggs, granola and good coffee in Kololo.
- Endiro CoffeeEarly opening for espresso, eggs and pastries.
- 1000 Cups Coffee HouseQuiet morning coffee and light breakfast near the centre.
- Cafe PapSimple central breakfast with strong Ugandan coffee.
Residency
Most newcomers arrive on an employment permit or an investor permit, which needs a substantial capital commitment, and a special pass covers the gap while paperwork clears. Dual citizenship is allowed, but naturalisation is slow and there is no citizenship-by-investment route.
Tax
Uganda taxes residents on worldwide income with a top personal rate of 40 percent, plus 18 percent VAT on most goods and services. It is not a low-tax base, so structure income carefully before relocating.
Curious what you would actually pay? See the Uganda tax profile: income, corporate, VAT and exit rules →
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