Do Not Travel
“There was no change to the advisory level or indicators. Advisory summary was updated.”
Updated Mon, 08 Dec 2025
Full advisory →Is Kampala safe? 🇺🇬
Uganda · Safety report last updated
As of September 2026, Kampala scores 44/100 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 elevated risks of violent robbery and petty crime. 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 30 September 2026
44
/ 100
Caution advised
Safer than ~32% 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
Sentiment47/100CautionMixed to negative
Advisories33Elevated
Stability55Fair
Health62Fair
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 2026-09-28T13:12:07.4287863-04:00
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 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.
▸ 4 more indicators▾ Hide extra indicators
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Fair
04 · Institutions
Stability
Fair
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Caution
Traveller sentiment score
Mixed to negative
47/100
Reported feel47Mixed to negative
Robbery risk34High risk
Pickpocket risk78Moderate risk
Traveler reports indicate discomfort with nighttime safety and concerns over petty crime, though upscale areas receive more positive feedback for daytime visits. Sentiment is tempered by awareness of scams and violent incidents like the August 2026 footballer killing.
No — Kampala is not safe for travelers due to a U.S. Level 4 Do Not Travel advisory and elevated risks of violent robbery and petty crime.
Despite friendly locals and functional infrastructure in upscale areas, Kampala faces significant safety challenges including armed robbery, pickpocketing in crowded markets, and political tensions heightened by recent elections. The U.S. State Department’s Level 4 advisory reflects ongoing security concerns, including unverified terrorism risks and a pattern of violent crime targeting both locals and visitors.
Recent developments
- Aug 2026Ugandan football captain David Owori beaten to death in a suspected robbery by a street gang in Kampala— BBC News
- Aug 2026Friend of a 22-year-old Kampala waitress charged with her alleged murder— Daily Monitor
- Jun 2026U.S. Embassy issued security alert warning of unconfirmed terrorist attack risks in Kampala— U.S. Embassy in Uganda (.gov)
- Jan 2026Multiple U.S. Embassy alerts since January cite crime, terrorism, unrest, and laws as concerns for international visitors— TravelWarningCheck.com
Common scams
- Romance scams targeting foreigners in bars and nightlife venues
- Fake gorilla-trekking permit scams
- Boda-boda ambush diversions where drivers collude with thieves
- Overcharging by unlicensed taxi drivers
- Spiked drinks leading to theft of valuables
Full briefing
Kampala presents significant safety risks for travelers despite its reputation for friendly locals and vibrant culture. The U.S. State Department’s Level 4 "Do Not Travel" advisory, unchanged since December 2025, remains the most authoritative indicator of danger, reflecting ongoing concerns about violent crime, political instability, and unverified terrorism threats. While the UK FCDO does not issue a blanket advisory and Canada recommends avoiding non-essential travel, the consensus among official sources is clear: Kampala requires extreme vigilance, particularly after dark and outside secured diplomatic zones.
On the ground, petty crime such as pickpocketing and bag snatching is widespread in high-traffic areas like Owino Market, Kampala Central, and major bus stations, where opportunistic thieves target distracted visitors. More seriously, armed robbery poses a high risk, as demonstrated by the August 2026 killing of Ugandan football captain David Owori, who was beaten to death with paving stones in a suspected street robbery — an incident widely reported by BBC News, The Guardian, and Africanews. This tragedy underscores that violent crime can occur even in residential areas and is not limited to tourist zones. Additionally, a June 2026 U.S. Embassy alert warned of unconfirmed terrorist attack risks in the capital, contributing to a climate of heightened security awareness.
Travelers should also be alert to well-documented scams: romance scams in bars and nightlife venues often lead to drugged drinks and theft; fake gorilla-trekking permits are sold to unsuspecting tourists; and boda-boda drivers sometimes collaborate with accomplices in ambush-style thefts. To stay safe, avoid walking alone at night, use only verified ride-hailing or registered taxis, keep valuables concealed and secured, verify all tour operators through official channels, and never leave drinks unattended in social venues. While upscale neighborhoods like Kololo and Nakasero offer relatively better security due to embassy presence and patrols, no area is immune to risk, and constant situational awareness is essential for any visitor to Kampala.
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.
Owino MarketavoidExtremely crowded market with frequent pickpocketing and bag snatching; avoid carrying valuables and remain highly vigilant.
KisenyiavoidPeripheral area with reports of armed robbery and assaults; recent violent incidents include fatal attacks; avoid especially after dark.
Old KampalacautionHistoric area with mosques and traditional markets; generally safe but crowded streets increase pickpocket risk, especially after dark.
Kampala CentralcautionBusy commercial heart with markets and transport hubs; high foot traffic elevates pickpocketing and bag snatching risk, particularly around Owino Market and taxi parks.
MakererecautionUniversity area with student activity; generally safe during day but exercise caution at night due to opportunistic theft and poor lighting in some zones.
KololosaferUpscale diplomatic area with embassies, good security, and well-patrolled streets; generally safe day and night.
NakaserosaferCentral business district with hotels and government offices; safe during day with police presence, exercise caution at night.
NtindasaferResidential suburb with lower crime density; safe for visitors during day, avoid isolated walks after dark.
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 Owino Market, Kisenyi, Old Kampala, Kampala Central. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
Kampala safety FAQ
Is Kampala safe for tourists right now?
No — Kampala is not safe for travelers due to a U.S. Level 4 Do Not Travel advisory and elevated risks of violent robbery and petty crime. Despite friendly locals and functional infrastructure in upscale areas, Kampala faces significant safety challenges including armed robbery, pickpocketing in crowded markets, and political tensions heightened by recent elections. The U.S. State Department’s Level 4 advisory reflects ongoing security concerns, including unverified terrorism risks and a pattern of violent crime targeting both locals and visitors. (Assessed 30 September 2026.)
Which areas of Kampala should tourists avoid?
Field research flags Owino Market, Kisenyi as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
What are the most common scams in Kampala?
- Romance scams targeting foreigners in bars and nightlife venues
- Fake gorilla-trekking permit scams
- Boda-boda ambush diversions where drivers collude with thieves
- Overcharging by unlicensed taxi drivers
How does Kampala compare with other places in Uganda?
Kampala ranks #1 of 7 Uganda destinations we've assessed, scoring 44/100. See the Uganda safety overview for the full list.
How is this Kampala safety score calculated?
The score blends 13+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry 82% of the weight; the traveller-sentiment score from field research carries 18%. Full methodology.
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4 reportsBrowse the Uganda safety overview or all destinations. Raw data: kampala.json (CC BY 4.0).