After 10 years of moving Kampala, Uber is officially off the road in Uganda.
The global ride-hailing company ended its Ugandan operations on September 2, 2026, bringing an end to a decade-long presence that helped introduce app-based taxi services to thousands of passengers across the capital.
Uber announced the decision to customers in an email, saying it had made the “tough decision” to wind down its operations in Uganda with immediate effect following a review of its business.
“Since we first launched in Kampala in 2016, it has been an absolute privilege to be a part of your daily life connecting you with independent transportation providers,” the company said.
Uber launched in Kampala in June 2016, arriving at a time when booking a car through a smartphone was still a relatively new concept for many Ugandans. Over the years, the app became part of everyday city life, offering an alternative to traditional taxis and helping shape Kampala’s growing on-demand transport culture.
The company, however, did not provide specific reasons for its departure beyond citing its business review.
For Kampala’s riders and drivers, the exit now opens another chapter in an increasingly competitive market.
SafeBoda has expanded from its motorcycle-hailing roots into car services through SafeCar, while platforms such as Faras and Yango continue to compete for passengers looking for convenient, app-based transport.
With Uber now out of the picture, the battle for its former customers and drivers is likely to intensify as rivals look to strengthen their positions in Kampala.
The Ugandan exit is also part of a wider retreat by Uber from several African markets.
On the same day it left Uganda, the company also ended its operations in Nigeria, bringing its 12-year run in Africa’s most populous country to a close. Uber entered Nigeria in 2014 and operated in major cities including Lagos and Abuja.
The company previously exited Tanzania and withdrew from Côte d’Ivoire in September 2025 after six years of operations.
The African departures come as Uber undertakes a broader restructuring of its global business. The company announced plans to cut about 3,300 jobs, representing roughly 10 per cent of its workforce.
Chief Executive Dara Khosrowshahi said the restructuring is intended to simplify the business and free up resources for growth and innovation, including investments in autonomous vehicles.
For Uganda, however, the immediate impact is much closer to home.
Uber’s departure marks the end of a chapter in Kampala’s changing transport culture.