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Updated Mon, 08 Dec 2025
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Is Kampala safe? 🇺🇬
Uganda · Safety report last updated
As of September 2026, Kampala scores 43/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: caution advised. No — Kampala is not safe for travelers due to a U.S. Level 4 Do Not Travel advisory and recent violent crime including a fatal robbery of a prominent footballer. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (moderate risk) and robbery (high risk). The U.S. State Department rates it Level 4 (Do Not Travel).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Kampala 🇺🇬
Uganda · Assessed 6 September 2026
43
/ 100
Caution advised
Safer than ~30% of countries
Score capped at 44 — Level 3 advisory — reconsider travel. No other indicator can raise the score above this.
What drives this score
Crime51/100CautionCrime index 54.1 / 100
Sentiment50/100CautionMixed feelings
Advisories25Elevated
Stability55Fair
Health71Good
01 · Official Guidance
Advisories
Elevated
No advisory against travel
“Before you travel No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide.”
Updated 2026-09-02T15:45:31Z
Full advisory →Avoid non-essential travel (with regional advisories)
“Canada's official risk level for Uganda: avoid non-essential travel (with regional advisories).”
Updated 2026-09-01T15:41:21.2288894-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Caution
Mugging & robbery risk
High risk
34
City SignalCity Web Research
Pickpocketing & theft risk
Moderate risk
78
City SignalCity Web Research
Visitor safety sentiment
55 / 100 (Mixed feelings)
55
City SignalCity Web Research
Urban scale factor
1.7M residents
69
City SignalCity Geocoding
Homicide rate
9.0 / 100kHomicide rate · per 100kJapan0.2Switzerland0.6World avg5.2United States5.8Uganda9Brazil19.3South Africa43.7
49
Robbery / mugging
HighArmed robbery and assaults occur in residential and peripheral areas; recent incident involved a footballer beaten to death with paving stones outside his home in August 2026.
Pickpocketing
ModeratePickpocketing and bag snatching are frequent in crowded markets, bus stations, and crowded streets, particularly in Kampala Central and Owino Market.
▸ 3 more indicators▾ Hide extra indicators
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Good
04 · Institutions
Stability
Fair
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Caution
Traveller sentiment score
Mixed feelings
50/100
Reported feel55Mixed feelings
Robbery risk34High risk
Pickpocket risk78Moderate risk
Traveler reports indicate cautious optimism for daytime visits but significant concern about night safety and crime, with many advising against solo travel after dark.
No — Kampala is not safe for travelers due to a U.S. Level 4 Do Not Travel advisory and recent violent crime including a fatal robbery of a prominent footballer.
Kampala presents moderate to high risks for visitors, with petty theft common in markets and transport hubs, and violent robbery occurring even in residential areas. While daytime exploration of tourist zones like Nakasero and Kololo is generally safe, night-time movement carries elevated risk, and political tensions remain high following recent protests and media restrictions.
Recent developments
- Aug 2026Ugandan football captain David Owori beaten to death by robbers armed with paving stones outside his home in Kampala— BBC
- Aug 2026Police arrested 10 anti-EACOP activists following protests in Kampala— Daily Monitor
- Jun 2026U.S. Embassy issued a travel advisory for Uganda citing ongoing safety and health concerns— U.S. Embassy in Uganda (.gov)
- May 2026U.S. Embassy in Kampala issued a health alert regarding Ebola and other infectious disease risks— U.S. Embassy in Uganda (.gov)
Common scams
- Fake gorilla-trekking permits
- Boda-boda overcharging or ambush diversion
- Taxi fraud at Entebbe Airport
- Romance scams targeting foreigners
- Overpriced or fake safari tours
Full briefing
Kampala is not currently safe for travelers, primarily due to the U.S. government’s Level 4 Do Not Travel advisory, which reflects serious concerns about crime and instability. While the UK and Canada offer less severe guidance, the U.S. assessment carries significant weight, especially given recent violent incidents. The city’s safety profile shows a composite index of 41/100, driven by weak institutional performance, moderate crime levels, and a homicide rate of 9.0 per 100k — well above the global average. Health and environmental risks are relatively lower, but travelers must still contend with malaria, dengue, and the ongoing Ebola alert in the region.
On the ground, visitors report that daytime exploration of areas like Nakasero, Kololo, and the central business district is generally safe, with visible police presence and steady tourist activity. However, after dark, the risk of opportunistic crime increases significantly, particularly in crowded zones such as Owino Market, major taxi parks, and poorly lit s
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 8 Kampala districts for visitors: 3 safer, 3 needing caution and 2 best avoided. See them plotted on the Kampala safety map.
KisenyiavoidHigh-density area near central market; frequent pickpocketing, bag snatching, and opportunistic theft, especially at night.
BandaavoidEastern outskirts; higher incidence of robbery and assault, especially targeting isolated individuals after dark.
BugolobicautionResidential and commercial zone; safe during day, but increased bag snatching and mugging risk after dark.
Old KampalacautionHistoric area with markets and mosques; petty theft common, avoid walking alone after dark.
KamwokyacautionDense urban area near city centre; reports of muggings and scams targeting visitors, particularly after dark.
NakaserosaferCentral business district with hotels, embassies, and regular police patrols; safe by day, use caution after dark.
KololosaferAffluent residential area with good security; low violent crime, but watch for petty theft in crowded spots.
NtindasaferEastern residential suburb with lower crime rates; safe by day, use standard precautions at night.
07 · After Dark
Is Kampala safe at night?
61% of people in Uganda say they feel safe walking alone at night in their area (UN SDG survey, 2017).
Armed robbery and assaults occur in residential and peripheral areas; recent incident involved a footballer beaten to death with paving stones outside his home in August 2026.
After dark, be most careful around Kisenyi, Banda, Bugolobi, Old Kampala. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
Kampala safety FAQ (2026)
Is Kampala safe right now (2026)?
No — Kampala is not safe for travelers due to a U.S. Level 4 Do Not Travel advisory and recent violent crime including a fatal robbery of a prominent footballer. Kampala presents moderate to high risks for visitors, with petty theft common in markets and transport hubs, and violent robbery occurring even in residential areas. While daytime exploration of tourist zones like Nakasero and Kololo is generally safe, night-time movement carries elevated risk, and political tensions remain high following recent protests and media restrictions. (Assessed 6 September 2026.)
Is Kampala safe for women, families and solo travelers?
Safety is not one number, and this Kampala report does not pretend it is: the score is re-weighted for who is travelling. A woman travelling alone, a family with children and a solo backpacker face different street-level risks, so the headline score shifts and the report leads with the findings that matter for that group. Personalize this report in one click to see the 2026 score and safety briefing for your specific travellers.
Which areas of Kampala should tourists avoid?
Field research flags Kisenyi, Banda as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
What are the most common scams in Kampala (2026)?
- Fake gorilla-trekking permits
- Boda-boda overcharging or ambush diversion
- Taxi fraud at Entebbe Airport
- Romance scams targeting foreigners
How does Kampala compare with other places in Uganda (2026)?
Kampala ranks #6 of 6 Uganda destinations we've assessed, scoring 43/100. See the Uganda safety overview for the full list.
How is this kampala safety score calculated (2026)?
The score blends 14+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, FBI crime data for U.S. cities, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry the bulk of the weight; the traveller-sentiment score from field research carries the rest. Full methodology.
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4 reportsBrowse the Uganda safety overview or all destinations. Raw data: kampala.json (CC BY 4.0).