||||||||||

Best Places to Live in Uganda | Experience the Pearl Of Africa

Uganda was given the title “Pearl of Africa” by Winston Churchill during his adventures throughout the continent. It was gifted this name due to its breathtaking color, vegetation, the abundance of wildlife and overall beauty.

Uganda is attracting more and more expats, making it become one of the best places to live in Africa. This land has so much to offer at an extremely affordable rate, so why wouldn’t you want to live here?

Best Places to Live in Uganda for…

  1. Expats: Entebbe
  2. English Speakers: Kira
  3. Digital Nomads: Mbarara
  4. Solo Travelers: Kampala
  5. Couples: Fort Portal
  6. Groups: Gulu

Top 10 Places to Live in Uganda

1. Entebbe

Best Place to Live for Expats

Cost of Living:

$$

The perfect city to find your feet in, Entebbe offers an expat all they need. A short drive to the capital city, beaches, friendly locals, an airport, and buzzing markets. This city is a great introduction to the Ugandan lifestyle for anyone moving here.

Located on Lake Victoria, it offers a variety of water activities to explore. The area also offers land activities, such as a 5-hour guided bike tour.

Tip: Learn about the diverse ecosystem that is native to Uganda at The Uganda Wildlife Education Center

Who Would Like to Live There: Expats and Solo travellers

Pros:

  • International airport access
  • Many outdoor activities
  • Located on Lake Victoria

Cons:

  • Housing is more expensive
  • Not many job opportunities
  • Crowded during peak season

2. Kabale

Best Place to Live for English Speakers

Cost of Living:

$$

English is one of Uganda’s official languages, so getting around is a breeze. Kabale is a town in southwestern Uganda, known for its beautiful landscape and vibrant culture.

The area is surrounded by rolling hills, lush vegetation, and tea plantations, making it an ideal spot for hiking. Kabale offers many outdoor activities, such as gorilla safaris and jungle tours. This city is home to Lake Bunyonyi, which is the 3rd deepest lake in the world!

Tip: Cool off in the deep Lake Bunyonyi and visit the 29 little islands within it.

Who Would Like to Live There: English speakers and groups

Pros:

  • Friendly people
  • Beautiful scenery
  • The city is kept clean

Cons:

  • Limited job openings
  • Far from Lake Victoria
  • Very limited nightlife

3. Mbarara

Best Place to Live for Digital Nomads

Cost of Living:

$

Mbarara is found in the southwest region of Uganda and offers a cool, comfortable climate and a picturesque landscape. With a population of over 150,000, it is a growing city with plenty of amenities, but still maintains a small-town feel.

Mbarara is an affordable city to live in, which makes it perfect for digital nomads. Note that connecting to wifi shouldn’t be an issue, but the prices are more expensive than that of Uganda’s neighbouring countries.

Tip: Learn about Uganda’s cultural heritage by visiting The Igongo Cultural Centre. 

Who Would Like to Live There: Digital nomads and Expats

Pros:

  • Cooler climate
  • Close to national parks
  • Rich in culture

Cons:

  • Limited infrastructure
  • Internet is expensive
  • Dress code is slightly more conservative

4. Kampala

Best Place to Live for Solo Travellers

Cost of Living:

$$$

As the capital and largest city in Uganda, Kampala offers a vibrant mix of culture, nightlife, and business opportunities. With a massive population that is getting larger and larger, it is the economic and cultural hub of the country.

Kampala has a wide range of shops, restaurants, and cultural events to pick from. You will never get bored in this busy city.

Tip: Visit the Uganda Museum, which has a collection of traditional artifacts.

Who Would Like to Live There: Solo travellers and expats

Pros:

  • Buzzing nightlife
  • Business opportunities
  • Western conveniences

Cons:

  • Traffic is heavy
  • Air quality isn’t great
  • Problem with bad drivers on the road

5. Fort Portal

Best Place to Live for Couples

Cost of Living:

$

This small city is located in the shadow of the Rwenzori Mountain, the highest mountain in Uganda. Fort Portal is known for its mild climate, tranquil energy, and beautiful scenery. This makes it a popular destination for couples, retirees, and expats.

Tip: Go on a 3-Day Chimpanzee Safari and Wildlife Exploration at the Kibale Forest National Park.

Who Would Like to Live There: Couples, retirees, and expats

Pros:

  • Amazing tourist attractions
  • Tranquil atmosphere
  • Mild climate

Cons:

  • Land value is on the rise
  • Infrastructure is limited
  • 300km (186 miles) from Kampala

6. Gulu

Best Place to Live for Groups

Cost of Living:

$$

As a major trading center in northern Uganda, Gulu offers a bustling, vibrant, and culture-rich atmosphere. With a population of over 200,000, it is a growing city with plenty of amenities and a strong sense of community. The weather in Gulu is generally warm, with temperatures averaging in the high 20s.

Tip: Learn about the history that shouldn’t be forgotten at Fort Patiko – Baker’s Fort. 

Who Would Like to Live There: Groups and Couples

Pros:

  • City is expanding
  • Many activities to do
  • Investment opportunities are available

Cons:

  • Post-conflict area
  • Few job openings
  • Less conveniences than Kampala

7. Tororo

Best Place to Live for Entrepreneurs

Cost of Living:

$

A city that is filled with economic potential and Victorian buildings, Tororo is an amazing place to visit. This city is known for its thunderstorms, which is a unique phenomenon that occurs due to the mineral-rich land. If you have a knack for business and want to create a company, then Tororo is the perfect spot to settle

Tip: Hike up Tororo rock, which formed due to volcanic activity many years ago

Who Would Like to Live There: Entrepreneurs and Couples

Pros:

  • Economic potential
  • Highly affordable
  • Friendly locals

Cons:

  • Nightlife isn’t large
  • Many industrial buildings
  • Limited activities

8. Jinja

Best Place to Live for Adventure Bunnies

Cost of Living:

$$

Known as the “adventure capital” of Uganda, Jinja offers white-water rafting, bungee jumping, and other adrenaline-pumping activities. It is located in the Eastern region of Uganda and sits at the source of the Nile river. This city has recently become one of the busiest commercial areas in Uganda, resulting in many expats relocating here.

Tip: Go on a boat ride to visit the source of the Nile River – Speke monument. 

Who Would Like to Live There: Adventure bunnies and expats

Pros:

  • Variety of water sports
  • Commercial opportunities arising
  • Bustling nightlife

Cons:

  • Fast-paced lifestyle
  • Property prices could rise
  • Influx of people moving here

9. Mbale

Best Place to Live for Country Hoppers

Cost of Living:

$

Mbale is located in the Eastern Region of Uganda, which is convenient if you want to visit Kenya’s popular cities. It is known for its agriculture, tourism opportunities, as well as the popular Kadodi dance.

Mbale is also known for its coffee plantations, so many coffee lovers find themselves making their way here. The city has a beautiful climate and many scenic landmarks to explore.

Tip: Trek through Mount Elgon National Park, which is home to the world’s largest caldera!

Who Would Like to Live There: Country Hoppers, coffee lovers and Groups

Pros:

  • Stunning scenery to explore
  • Easy access to Kenya
  • Many cultural experiences

Cons:

  • High population growth
  • Unemployment
  • Waste management is overloaded

10. Arua

Best Place to Live for Laidback Travelers

Cost of Living:

$

Arua is a town located in North-Western Uganda, 19 kilometers from the Democratic Republic of Congo border. This city is still developing, which means housing and amenities are very affordable, but it doesn’t have as many luxuries. Arua offers a peaceful lifestyle and some modern conveniences, such as an airport.

Tip: Head to Club Matonge and enjoy live Congolese music 

Who Would Like to Live There: Laidback travellers and couples

Pros:

  • Affordable cost of living
  • Access to local markets and produce
  • Scenic beauty and access to nearby attractions

Cons:

  • Not much nightlife
  • Isolated from rest of Uganda
  • Smaller expat community
Scroll to Top