Nomad Score: 58%

Essentials

πŸ™οΈ City Kampala is the capital and largest city of Uganda, situated in the central region of the country.
πŸ‘₯ Population Approx. 1.5 million
πŸ’» Internet Speed Average download speed is around 20 Mbps.
πŸ’Έ Currency & Banking 1 USD β‰ˆ 3,740 UGX
🚰 Tap Water Not drinkable; water should be boiled or bottled.
πŸ”Œ Power 230V, 50Hz, πŸ”Œ Type G sockets
πŸ“Ά SIM Card MTN Uganda and Airtel Uganda are popular providers.
πŸ’³ Banking for Expats Standard Chartered, Stanbic Bank, and UBA cater to expats.
πŸ›Œ Accommodation Options include Airbnb, local guesthouses, and serviced apartments.
πŸ’³ Cashless Friendly Yes, mobile money is commonly used, and many places accept card payments.
🏠 Short Term Rentals Available on platforms such as Airbnb and local real estate agencies.
πŸ›οΈ Budget Accommodation Hostels such as The Backpackers and Hi-Table Hostel offer affordable options.

Working and Networking

🏒 Best Coworking Space The Office Uganda offers great facilities and networking opportunities.
β˜• Best Cafe for Work Cafe Javas is popular among digital nomads for its atmosphere and Wi-Fi.
πŸ’Ό Networking Events Monthly meetups organized by Uganda Entrepreneurs Hub.
πŸ₯‚ Social Events for Expats Kampala Expat Community on Facebook is a good resource for gatherings.

Transportation

πŸš• Best Taxi/Ride App SafeBoda and Uber are the most reliable ride-hailing apps.
🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental SafeBoda offers scooter rentals for short trips around the city.
πŸ–οΈ Best Beach Nearby Lake Victoria's beaches such as Lido Beach are about 1 hour away.
✈️ Top Regional Airline Ethiopian Airlines provides good regional connections.
✈️ Top International Airline KLM and Qatar Airways are popular for international flights.
πŸ›£οΈ Highway Access The Kampala-Mpigi highway connects to major southern routes.
πŸš‰ Main Train/Transit Hub Namanve Railway station serves as a freight hub, but limited passenger services are available.
🚍 Public Transport Passes Mini-buses (matatus) are prevalent, but no fixed passes for tourists.
✈️ Regional Travel Travel by bus to Jinja and Gulu is common, with multiple daily departures.

Health and Wellness

πŸ₯ Best Hospital Mulago Hospital is the largest and offers a range of healthcare services.
🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers Yoga & Wellness Uganda provides various classes.
πŸ‹οΈ Gyms & Fitness Centers Fitness Centre located in Mbuya offers various gym facilities.
🧺 Laundry Services Quick Clean and MyLaundry provide reliable services.

Food and Drink

πŸ“± Best Food Delivery App Jumia Food is the top choice for meal deliveries.
🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try Luwombo, a traditional stew usually made with meat and vegetables.
🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options Earth Cafe offers a variety of vegetarian and vegan dishes.
🍫 Best Dessert Spots Cake Palace is famous for its delicious cakes and pastries.
πŸ›’ Affordable Shopping Spots Wandegeya Market offers fresh local produce at low prices.
πŸ›’ E-commerce/Online Store Jumia Uganda and Kikuubo are popular online marketplaces.
πŸ›’ Grocery Delivery FreshBasket delivers groceries and fresh produce.
🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area Kisementi is known for its vibrant nightlife, with many bars and restaurants.
🍻 Local Brewery Nile Special is a well-known local beer.
🍷 Wine Bars The Wine Garage offers a selection of local and international wines.
🍲 Street Food Stalls Street food around Owino Market is a must-try for local flavors.
πŸ• Popular International Cuisine Mediterraneo is known for its excellent Italian dishes.

Culture and Attractions

🎟️ Must-See Landmarks The Uganda Museum and the Independence Monument are essential visits.
πŸ›οΈ Museums & Art Venues The Uganda Museum showcases the country's rich heritage.
🏰 Historical Sites Kasubi Tombs is a UNESCO World Heritage site worth visiting.
πŸ• Religious Sites Namirembe Cathedral offers stunning views of the city.
πŸŽ‰ Annual Events The Kampala City Carnival, typically held in October, showcases local culture.
🎨 Cultural Districts Nakasero is known for its vibrant art scene and galleries.
🎭 Theater Venues National Theatre hosts a variety of performances.
πŸ›οΈ Local Markets Owino Market is the largest and most vibrant market in Kampala.
🎼 Music Scene Jinja Road area has numerous live music venues, especially for local artists.
🎨 Street Art Several murals can be found in the Kisementi area, showcasing local talent.
πŸ§‘β€πŸ³ Cooking Classes Auntie's Kitchen offers classes featuring Ugandan recipes.
πŸ‘©β€πŸŽ¨ Art Galleries The Nommo Gallery features local artists and exhibitions.
πŸ•°οΈ Historic Buildings Old Kampala Mosque offers beautiful architecture and insight into the city's history.
🏴 Local Heritage The Kampala Capital City Authority promotes cultural heritage through various programs.

Nature and Outdoor Activities

πŸŒ… Nearby Nature Escapes Entebbe Botanic Gardens provides a serene escape close to the city.
🏞️ National Parks Nearby Murchison Falls National Park is a few hours' drive and offers wildlife safaris.
🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths Kololo Hill provides scenic routes for cycling and walking.
πŸŒ„ Scenic Viewpoints The view from the top of Kololo Hill offers a stunning panorama of the city.
πŸ¦‰ Birdwatching Locations The Mabamba Wetlands are famous for birdwatching opportunities.
πŸ”₯ Bonfire-Friendly Spots Jinjabike's private island is a popular bonfire spot.

Other Services and Amenities

πŸ“¦ Parcel Delivery Service DHL and FedEx provide reliable shipping services across Uganda.
πŸ› οΈ Tech Repair Services Techzone offers a range of gadget repairs in Kampala.
πŸ“ Table Tennis Spots Available at most community recreational centers.
πŸ§‘β€πŸ« Language Classes English is widely spoken; Luganda classes are offered at local community centers.
πŸ“š Libraries & Study Spots Makerere University Library is one of the largest and offers study spaces.
🏘️ Community Centers Community centers in areas like Kamwokya host various cultural events.
πŸ•ΉοΈ Gaming Lounges GameHaven is a popular gaming lounge in Kampala.
🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls Casino Simba is one of the prominent casinos in the city.

Business

🏒 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) Approx. $1,200 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $48,000)
🏒 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) Approx. $800 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $32,000)
🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) Approx. $1,400 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $84,000)
🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) Approx. $900 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $54,000)
🏑 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) Approx. $1,600 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $128,000)
🏑 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) Approx. $1,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $80,000)
πŸ’Ό Corporate Tax 30%
πŸ’΅ Dividend Withholding Tax 15%
🏦 Tax System Residence-based system with worldwide income taxed.
πŸ“ˆ Highest Income Tax Bracket 40%
🧾 VAT 18%
🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules No strict CFC rules as seen in other jurisdictions.
🏠 Property Tax Yes, assessed based on property value.
🏠 Property Transaction Tax Approx. 1-2% depending on location and property type.