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Updated 2026-10-08T13:51:08Z
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Is Kampala safe? 🇺🇬
Uganda · Safety report last updated
As of October 2026, Kampala scores 42/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: caution advised. No. Kampala remains unsafe for visitors due to violent street crime and a Canadian government advisory against non-essential travel. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (moderate risk) and robbery (high risk).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Kampala 🇺🇬
Uganda · Assessed 13 October 2026
42
/ 100
Caution advised
Safer than ~29% of countries
Score capped at 44 — Level 3 advisory — reconsider travel. No other indicator can raise the score above this.
What drives this score
Crime49/100CautionCrime index 55.1 / 100 · city-level
Sentiment46/100CautionMostly negative
Advisories25Elevated
Stability56Fair
Health63Fair
01 · Official Guidance
Advisories
Elevated
Avoid non-essential travel (with regional advisories)
“Canada's official risk level for Uganda: avoid non-essential travel (with regional advisories).”
Updated 2026-09-28T13:12:07.4287863-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Caution
Urban scale factor
1.7M residents
62
City SignalCity Geocoding
Homicide rate
9.0 / 100kHomicide rate · per 100kJapan0.2Switzerland0.6World avg5.2United States5.8Uganda9Brazil19.3South Africa43.7
49
Robbery / mugging
HighArmed robberies occur frequently in Kampala, particularly targeting individuals on foot at night; recent incidents involve gangs using blunt weapons in areas like Nakawa and Kawempe.
Pickpocketing
ModeratePickpocketing and bag-snatching are common in crowded places such as Owino Market, bus terminals, and along Kampala Road during daylight hours.
▸ 4 more indicators▾ Hide extra indicators
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Fair
04 · Institutions
Stability
Fair
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Caution
Traveller sentiment score
Mostly negative
46/100
Reported feel43Mostly negative
Robbery risk34High risk
Pickpocket risk78Moderate risk
Visitors report feeling unsafe walking alone at night, with only 33 out of 100 feeling secure after dark, though daytime safety perceptions are stronger at 73 out of 100.
No. Kampala remains unsafe for visitors due to violent street crime and a Canadian government advisory against non-essential travel.
Kampala's crime index is elevated, with Numbeo data showing high worry about mugging and robbery, and recent incidents confirm armed robberies targeting individuals in public spaces. While daytime safety perceptions are better, night-time walking alone remains risky. The Canadian advisory to avoid non-essential travel reflects ongoing security concerns, including gang-related violence.
Recent developments
- Aug 2026Ugandan football captain David Owori beaten to death in a suspected robbery by a street gang in Kampala— BBC
- Aug 2026Top Ugandan footballer killed by robbers armed with paving stones in a Kampala street attack— The Guardian
- Aug 2026Ugandan soccer star David Owori dies after assault in the capital, Kampala, in a suspected robbery incident— NBC News
- Jun 2026U.S. Embassy issues travel advisory for Uganda citing crime and security risks— U.S. Embassy in Uganda (.gov)
Common scams
- Fake police officers demanding fines for minor infractions
- Overcharging by unlicensed taxi drivers
Full briefing
Kampala continues to experience violent street crime, particularly armed robberies targeting individuals on foot after dark. The August 2026 killing of Ugandan football captain David Owori by a gang armed with paving stones underscores the severity of the threat, with similar incidents reported across multiple reputable sources including the BBC, The Guardian, and NBC News. These attacks are not isolated; they reflect a broader pattern of opportunistic and sometimes violent crime in areas such as Nakawa, Kawempe, and poorly lit residential zones. While the city centre sees more foot traffic and policing, visitors should not assume safety based on location alone.
Daytime safety is relatively better, with Numbeo data showing 73 out of 100 visitors feeling secure walking alone in daylight, but this drops sharply after dark to just 33 out of 100. Pickpocketing and bag-snatching remain prevalent in high-traffic zones like Owino Market, Nakasero, and along Kampala Road, especially during rush hour or near bus terminals. Scams involving fake police officers demanding on-the-spot fines and unlicensed taxi drivers overcharging tourists are also reported, particularly around transport hubs and tourist areas. The Canadian government’s Level 3 advisory to avoid non-essential travel remains in effect as of September 2026, citing regional security concerns and crime risks, while the UK FCDO maintains no formal advisory but urges caution.
To reduce risk, visitors should avoid walking alone after dark, use only registered ride-hailing services or hotel-arranged transport, and keep valuables concealed and out of sight. Vigilance is essential in crowded markets and transport areas where distraction theft is common. While the city remains a cultural and economic hub, the current security environment demands a cautious approach, particularly for those unfamiliar with local conditions. Health risks such as Ebola and dengue are present but secondary to immediate crime concerns for most travelers. Staying alert, minimizing nighttime movement, and relying on trusted transport are the most effective precautions.
Was this Kampala, Uganda report helpful?
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 8 Kampala districts for visitors: 2 safer, 4 needing caution and 2 best avoided. See them plotted on the Kampala safety map.
Old KampalaavoidHistoric core with high foot traffic; frequent reports of muggings and robberies, especially near taxi parks and after dark.
KisenyiavoidDensely populated informal settlement; elevated risk of violent crime, robbery, and gang activity; avoid unless necessary.
NakaserocautionCentral business district; daytime safe but petty theft and robbery risk increases after dark.
NamuwongocautionIndustrial and residential zone; petty crime common, particularly around markets and transport hubs after dark.
LubagacautionHilly residential area with mixed safety; daytime generally safe, but isolated incidents of robbery reported after dark.
Kampala CentralcautionCore commercial zone; high pedestrian traffic increases pickpocket and scam risk; avoid walking alone at night.
KololosaferAffluent residential area with embassies and hotels; low violent crime, but remain alert to opportunistic theft.
BugolobisaferMiddle-to-upper class suburb with good infrastructure; low violent crime, but watch for bag snatching in crowded areas.
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 robberies occur frequently in Kampala, particularly targeting individuals on foot at night; recent incidents involve gangs using blunt weapons in areas like Nakawa and Kawempe.
After dark, be most careful around Old Kampala, Kisenyi, Nakasero, Namuwongo. 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 remains unsafe for visitors due to violent street crime and a Canadian government advisory against non-essential travel. Kampala's crime index is elevated, with Numbeo data showing high worry about mugging and robbery, and recent incidents confirm armed robberies targeting individuals in public spaces. While daytime safety perceptions are better, night-time walking alone remains risky. The Canadian advisory to avoid non-essential travel reflects ongoing security concerns, including gang-related violence. (Assessed 13 October 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 Old Kampala, Kisenyi as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
What are the most common scams in Kampala (2026)?
- Fake police officers demanding fines for minor infractions
- Overcharging by unlicensed taxi drivers
How does Kampala compare with other places in Uganda (2026)?
Kampala ranks #6 of 7 Uganda destinations we've assessed, scoring 42/100. 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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Raw data: kampala.json (CC BY 4.0).