Uganda operates on the Ugandan Shilling (UGX). As of 2024, one US dollar exchanges for approximately 3,700 to 3,800 UGX depending on location and method. Rates fluctuate. Banks in Kampala typically offer better rates than airport kiosks at Entebbe International Airport. Credit cards function in major hotels and some restaurants in Kampala and Entebbe, but cash remains necessary for most transactions outside these two cities. ATMs dispensing UGX exist in Kampala, Entebbe, Jinja, Mbarara, Fort Portal, and Gulu, with scattered availability in smaller towns. Daily withdrawal limits range from 1,000,000 to 2,000,000 UGX depending on the machine and issuing bank. Stanbic Bank and Barclays Bank maintain the most extensive ATM networks. Many ATMs outside Kampala run out of cash on weekends.
A basic guesthouse bed in Kampala costs 30,000 to 60,000 UGX per night. Mid-range hotels in the capital charge 150,000 to 300,000 UGX. Budget accommodations in Jinja, Fort Portal, and Kabale range from 40,000 to 80,000 UGX. Backpacker hostels exist in Kampala and Jinja with dormitory beds from 25,000 UGX. Outside urban centers, options narrow substantially. Towns like Kasese, Mbale, and Masaka offer basic lodges at 50,000 to 100,000 UGX. Remote locations near national parks present limited choice. Budget lodges near Bwindi Impenetrable National Park start around 80,000 UGX but availability requires advance booking during peak gorilla trekking seasons of June through September and December through February.
Eating at local restaurants serving matoke, posho, and groundnut sauce costs 5,000 to 12,000 UGX per meal. A rolex from a street vendor in Kampala costs 2,000 to 4,000 UGX. Kikomando typically costs 3,000 to 5,000 UGX. Mid-range restaurants in Kampala serving mixed Ugandan and international food charge 25,000 to 50,000 UGX per main course. A bottle of water costs 1,500 to 2,500 UGX in shops, more in tourist areas. Local beer costs 4,000 to 7,000 UGX in neighborhood bars, 8,000 to 15,000 UGX in Kampala restaurants. Fresh produce at markets remains inexpensive. A kilogram of matoke costs approximately 2,000 to 4,000 UGX. Street food including muchomo and nsenene when in season costs 2,000 to 5,000 UGX per portion. Restaurants in smaller cities like Mbarara and Gulu charge slightly less than Kampala equivalents.
Public transportation costs remain low but comfort varies. A matatu minibus ride within Kampala costs 1,000 to 2,000 UGX depending on distance. Boda boda motorcycle taxis charge 2,000 to 5,000 UGX for short trips within town, more for longer distances. Long-distance bus travel costs approximately 1,000 to 1,500 UGX per 10 kilometers. Kampala to Jinja costs 10,000 to 15,000 UGX on a standard bus, about 90 kilometers. Kampala to Mbarara costs around 25,000 UGX for the 266-kilometer journey. Post Bus Uganda operates scheduled services on major routes at competitive prices but schedules prove unreliable. Private hire vehicles cost substantially more. A private car with driver from Kampala to Jinja costs 150,000 to 250,000 UGX. Special hire taxis within Kampala charge 20,000 to 40,000 UGX for cross-town trips. Ride-hailing services Uber and Bolt operate in Kampala with fares comparable to negotiated special hire rates.
National park entry fees constitute a significant expense. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park charges foreign nonresidents 40 USD per day. Queen Elizabeth National Park charges 40 USD. Murchison Falls National Park charges 45 USD. These fees cover 24 hours. Mountain gorilla trekking permits cost 700 USD per person for foreign nonresidents as of 2024, issued by Uganda Wildlife Authority. Chimpanzee tracking permits in Kibale National Park cost 200 USD. Golden monkey tracking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park costs 100 USD. These activity fees exist separately from park entrance fees. A one-day visit to Bwindi for gorilla trekking therefore costs 740 USD minimum when combining park entry and permit. Advance booking of gorilla permits remains essential, often requiring six months lead time during high season.
Vehicle rental adds further cost for independent travelers. A basic sedan without driver costs approximately 120,000 to 180,000 UGX per day through Kampala agencies. Four-wheel-drive vehicles necessary for reaching remote parks cost 250,000 to 400,000 UGX per day. Fuel costs approximately 5,500 to 6,500 UGX per liter for petrol, slightly less for diesel. Insurance coverage through rental agencies adds 30,000 to 50,000 UGX daily. Many roads outside major routes between cities remain unpaved and deteriorate significantly during rainy seasons from March to May and October to November. Self-drive rental requires an international driving permit in addition to home country license. Most travelers opt for vehicle hire with driver, costing 350,000 to 600,000 UGX per day including fuel depending on distance and vehicle type.
Organized tours vary widely in price depending on group size, accommodation standard, and inclusions. Budget camping safaris visiting multiple parks over seven days start around 1,200 to 1,800 USD per person in groups of four to six. These typically exclude gorilla permits. Mid-range lodge-based safaris cost 2,500 to 4,000 USD per person for similar duration. Prices drop with larger groups. Private tours cost significantly more. Single travelers face substantial supplements. Tour operators based in Kampala include Red Chilli Hideaway, Adrift East Africa, and numerous others. Booking directly through Ugandan operators rather than international resellers typically reduces cost by 15 to 30 percent. Package tours including gorilla permits often advertise the 700 USD permit cost separately rather than incorporating it into the total price.
Mobile phone SIM cards cost 5,000 to 10,000 UGX including minimal airtime. MTN and Airtel provide the most extensive coverage. Data packages cost approximately 20,000 UGX for 5GB valid one week, 50,000 UGX for 15GB valid one month. Coverage exists in all major towns and along primary highways but becomes unreliable in remote areas and national parks. Internet cafes in Kampala charge 2,000 to 3,000 UGX per hour though these have become less common as smartphone ownership increased. Most mid-range and upper-tier hotels provide WiFi though speeds and reliability vary. Budget accommodations rarely include internet access.
Health-related expenses require planning. Consultation with a general practitioner at a private clinic in Kampala costs 50,000 to 100,000 UGX. Malaria rapid diagnostic tests cost 10,000 to 20,000 UGX. Antimalarial medication available without prescription costs vary. Comprehensive travel insurance with medical evacuation coverage remains advisable given limited advanced medical facilities outside Kampala. The International Hospital Kampala and Nakasero Hospital provide the highest standard private care. Routine medications cost less than Western equivalents. Antimalarial prophylaxis purchased in Uganda costs approximately 30,000 to 50,000 UGX per month depending on drug type. Pharmacies exist in all towns though counterfeit medications circulate. Reputable pharmacies in Kampala include those attached to major hospitals.
Visa fees for most nationalities cost 50 USD for single-entry tourist visas valid 90 days. The East Africa Tourist Visa covering Uganda, Kenya, and Rwanda costs 100 USD and allows multiple entries across the three countries for 90 days. These can be obtained at Entebbe International Airport on arrival or online through the Uganda Electronic Visa system at www.visas.immigration.go.ug prior to travel. Processing the e-visa takes approximately two to five business days.