Cost of Living in Uganda - Updated Prices & Insights

31.6
Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $472 (excluding rent), and $707 including rent.
Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,083 (excluding rent), and $1,427 including rent.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.75 UGX 9,840
$1.37 UGX 4,920
$4.12 UGX 14.8K
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$24.82 UGX 88.9K
$16.54 UGX 59.3K
$41.36 UGX 148.2K
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$8.44 UGX 30.3K
$6.13 UGX 22K
$9.82 UGX 35.2K
Cappuccino
$2.66 UGX 9,532
$1.93 UGX 6,909
$4.12 UGX 14.8K
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.45 UGX 1,614
$0.29 UGX 1,051
$0.87 UGX 3,115
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.28 UGX 1,003
$0.27 UGX 968
$0.54 UGX 1,936
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.43 UGX 5,116
$0.85 UGX 3,055
$1.71 UGX 6,146
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.82 UGX 10.1K
$1.98 UGX 7,085
$4.23 UGX 15.2K
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$0.66 UGX 2,362
$0.4 UGX 1,438
$1.06 UGX 3,800
White Bread (500g)
$1.19 UGX 4,276
$0.68 UGX 2,453
$1.63 UGX 5,853
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.33 UGX 4,774
$1.12 UGX 4,015
$1.69 UGX 6,040
Eggs
$1.93 UGX 6,919
$1.26 UGX 4,515
$3.54 UGX 12.7K
Local Cheese (1kg)
$4.79 UGX 17.2K
$1.68 UGX 6,013
$8.39 UGX 30.1K
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$4.96 UGX 17.8K
$2.18 UGX 7,829
$8.18 UGX 29.3K
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$4.14 UGX 14.8K
$3.56 UGX 12.8K
$4.65 UGX 16.7K
Apples (1kg)
$2.75 UGX 9,850
$1.4 UGX 5,034
$4.21 UGX 15.1K
Banana (1kg)
$1.49 UGX 5,332
$0.71 UGX 2,557
$2.83 UGX 10.2K
Oranges (1kg)
$1.66 UGX 5,945
$0.81 UGX 2,886
$2.7 UGX 9,666
Tomato (1kg)
$1.48 UGX 5,307
$0.55 UGX 1,981
$2.74 UGX 9,836
Potato (1kg)
$1.49 UGX 5,336
$0.57 UGX 2,061
$2.85 UGX 10.2K
Onion (1kg)
$1.71 UGX 6,120
$0.81 UGX 2,919
$2.73 UGX 9,778
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.02 UGX 3,670
$0.41 UGX 1,482
$1.64 UGX 5,893
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.57 UGX 2,048
$0.43 UGX 1,536
$0.85 UGX 3,035
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.87 UGX 10.3K
$2.19 UGX 7,858
$5.47 UGX 19.6K
Wine (Bottle)
$9.8 UGX 35.1K
$5.04 UGX 18.1K
$14 UGX 50.2K
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.2 UGX 4,301
$0.85 UGX 3,051
$1.43 UGX 5,109
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.04 UGX 7,324
$1.13 UGX 4,044
$4.07 UGX 14.6K
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.79 UGX 2,846
$0.54 UGX 1,920
$1.33 UGX 4,766
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$37.4 UGX 134K
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.68 UGX 2,452
$0.27 UGX 981
$2.72 UGX 9,738
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.28 UGX 1,011
$0.28 UGX 1,011
$0.86 UGX 3,070
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$2.89 UGX 10.4K
$1.38 UGX 4,930
$6.89 UGX 24.7K
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.5 UGX 5,367
$1.42 UGX 5,075
$1.59 UGX 5,696
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$9,222 UGX 33.1M
$8,513 UGX 30.5M
$9,932 UGX 35.6M
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$8,677 UGX 31.1M
$8,264 UGX 29.6M
$10.3K UGX 37M
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$40.16 UGX 144K
$22.31 UGX 80K
$66.9 UGX 239.9K
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.66 UGX 49K
$8.18 UGX 29.3K
$27.27 UGX 97.7K
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$54.8 UGX 196.5K
$33.26 UGX 119.2K
$139 UGX 496.7K
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$39.78 UGX 142.6K
$20.76 UGX 74.4K
$66.4 UGX 238.1K
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.58 UGX 23.6K
$2.83 UGX 10.2K
$11.35 UGX 40.7K
Cinema Ticket
$6.2 UGX 22.2K
$4.68 UGX 16.8K
$12.39 UGX 44.4K
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$137 UGX 491.7K
$83.8 UGX 300.2K
$279 UGX 1M
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$3,982 UGX 14.3M
$1,673 UGX 6M
$6,969 UGX 25M
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$16.47 UGX 59K
$8.43 UGX 30.2K
$22.47 UGX 80.6K
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$14.41 UGX 51.6K
$8.44 UGX 30.2K
$25.3 UGX 90.7K
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$37.85 UGX 135.7K
$19.38 UGX 69.5K
$55.4 UGX 198.5K
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$46.85 UGX 167.9K
$21.05 UGX 75.4K
$84.2 UGX 301.7K
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$331 UGX 1.2M
$137 UGX 490.7K
$685 UGX 2.5M
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$192 UGX 688.4K
$111 UGX 397.4K
$416 UGX 1.5M
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$941 UGX 3.4M
$418 UGX 1.5M
$2,087 UGX 7.5M
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$311 UGX 1.1M
$225 UGX 807.9K
$704 UGX 2.5M
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$970 UGX 3.5M
$421 UGX 1.5M
$1,329 UGX 4.8M
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,011 UGX 3.6M
$767 UGX 2.7M
$1,072 UGX 3.8M
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$192 UGX 688.8K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
20.8
16
24
Citycost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Cost of Living in Uganda - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Uganda a good value for travelers, expats, and digital nomads, and how does it compare in general terms?
Uganda often offers a favorable balance of daily costs, outdoor adventures, and cultural access that suits travelers, expats, and digital nomads. In practice, long stays can feel affordable if you choose the right location and habits. Accommodation ranges from modest guesthouses to apartment options that fit different budgets, while meals from markets and casual eateries keep everyday food costs down. Transportation options – from public transit to ride-hailing – provide flexibility without breaking the bank. Reliable internet in major hubs supports remote work, while movement between cities can reshape your cost picture. In short, the Cost of Living in Uganda can be a strong value for many profiles. Tip: Build a flexible budget around your needs and use local services to stretch value.
What does daily life look like in Uganda in terms of housing search, food options, transport, and errands for a short or long stay?
Daily life in Uganda hinges on where you stay and how you move. Start your housing search by tapping local agents, online groups, and short-term sublets, then test a neighborhood for safety, water reliability, and access to groceries. When budgeting, consider the Uganda living cost differences across districts, as prices can shift with location and season. Food options range from bustling markets with fresh produce to casual eateries where you can try local staples without overspending. Transport is varied: bodas, taxis, and public buses offer flexibility, while co-working spaces in major towns support remote work. Errands are doable with a little planning. Tip: map a routine that minimizes backtracking to save time and money.
What quality-of-life considerations and budgeting strategies help you settle in, and how do you adapt to seasonality and neighborhood fit?
Quality of life hinges on the neighborhood pace, safety, and access to services that match your rhythm. Build a simple budgeting framework: essential expenses (housing, utilities, groceries), discretionary spending (eating out, activities), and a small emergency buffer. Practical saving tips include cooking at home, shopping at markets, and using public transit when feasible. Seasonality can affect travel plans and daily routines, so plan flexible itineraries and indoor options for wetter periods. For neighborhood fit, prioritize proximity to markets, coworking spaces, green spaces, and a supportive community. Tip: set a monthly review to adjust plans as you learn the city.
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