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Tick your boda, matatu or special-hire trips and see what they should fairly cost in shillings — with the inflated ask to refuse and how to hold the fair price.
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A day in Kampala is a string of small fares you agree on the spot — the boda to the stage, the matatu into town, a special hire home in the rain. Tick what you're doing and see what it should fairly cost, and the inflated ask to politely refuse.
Prices are in Ugandan shillings. Street fares are negotiated — they rise at night, in the rain, at rush hour and for anyone who looks like a visitor.
a street boda for a quick trip
Watch for: The first quote is almost always higher — agree it before you get on. Fares climb at night and in the rain.
a typical mid-length ride
further out toward the city edges it can be 10,000 or more
per person; you pay as you get off, at the fare posted at the stage. Longer routes out of the city cost more.
Watch for: Conductors push the fare up in the rain, at rush hour and over the December holidays. Know your stage fare and hand it over rather than asking.
one car for the whole trip
Watch for: Special hires are unmetered — settle the price before you set off. A Bolt or Uber quote is a good reference number.
the app shows the price before you book — the fairest benchmark for a car trip across town
to or from the city, about 40 km; a common quote is 100,000–110,000
Watch for: The 'fixed price' taxis at the airport rank are inflated (around 150,000). A Bolt or Uber booked on the airport Wi-Fi is usually cheaper.
A range, because these prices are agreed, not fixed. Agree each one before you start.
These are fair prices, not a fixed tariff
Boda and matatu fares in Kampala are negotiated, and they move with the fuel price, the time of day, the weather and the season — so these are the going rates neighbours and travellers report, not an official price list. Agreeing the fare before you get on is the best protection. This isn't a ranking of which driver or SACCO to use.
USh 1,000 – USh 2,000
Boda-boda — short hop (1–3 km)
+ 6 more fair prices
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