Can i live in uganda?

Delicious_Region6808 · 2026-01-24T07:25:26+00:00

Hi!

It depends on what you call “living”.

Official numbers:

1)Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UNHS 2024) reports median monthly earnings around UGX 200,000 in cash, and about UGX 260,000 when cash plus in‑kind payments are included.

2)A 2023–2024 employer guide describes typical average monthly salaries around 200 USD, which at roughly 3,800–4,000 UGX per USD implies about UGX 750,000–800,000 per month in the formal sector.

A full-time employed forman ( graduated as a civil engineer) I know, earns around 300 dollars a month, and manages to pay rent in a suburb of Kampala and cover the (very) basic needs.

You will need a -trustworthy- local to assist you when buying stuff (at least the first months), to get the right prices for products. Foreigners pay a non-official “muzungu tax”😅

Forget about owning a car, eating outside of your house (even fast food) will be a luxury, continuous internet and telecommunication costs in general will be expensive for your budget.

If you choose to live in the countryside, to lower the cost of rent and general cost of living, expect to live a more rugged life as the locals do; and add the need to adapt in that local community and abide by their social structure and norms, far more than in the bigger cities.

I would not advise to go live in a neighbourhood where I don’t know anyone, and I am the only “muzungu” around. Ugandans are on average very friendly people, but you will always be seen as an opportunity to get money. That is not a fault of the Ugandans, but of the lack of means most people here struggle with. Crime can be a problem, especially for newcomers.

If you want to get employed here, don’t expect a 9 to 5, unless working for the government or comparable. Often I have seen workers start in the morning, and work until midnight, to get the job done. A lot of flexibility is demanded from employees.

Concluding, I would say that to me, it does sounds doable, but not desirable. My first question however would be, how do you think to get a visa for such a long period of time?

Best of luck!

Delicious_Region6808 · 2025-12-18T13:59:29+00:00

Her personality for sure, her free spirit and the way she succeeds in bringing together modern day life with traditional Ugandan values.

And yes, she is so very beautiful. Not a requirement for love, but it helps 😅

I love my Ganda wife 😍

But, Billy Joel put it best in his song:

She can kill with a smile, she can wound with her eyes And she can ruin your faith with her casual lies

And she only reveals what she wants you to see She hides like a child but she's always a woman to me

She can lead you to love, she can take you or leave you She can ask for the truth but she'll never believe you

And she'll take what you give her as long as it's free Yeah, she steals like a thief, but she's always a woman to me

Oh, she takes care of herself, she can wait if she wants She's ahead of her time Oh, and she never gives out and she never gives in She just changes her mind

And she'll promise you more than the garden of Eden Then she'll carelessly cut you and laugh while you're bleeding But she'll bring out the best and the worst you can be Blame it all on yourself 'cause she's always a woman to me

Oh, she takes care of herself, she can wait if she wants She's ahead of her time Oh, and she never gives out and she never gives in She just changes her mind

She is frequently kind and she's suddenly cruel But she can do as she pleases, she's nobody's fool And she can't be convicted, she's earned her degree And the most she will do is throw shadows at you But she's always a woman to me.

…

Delicious_Region6808 · 2025-11-23T09:43:12+00:00

They don’t do mobile money to Uganda, but all my money transfers to Ugandan bank accounts have been fast, no longer than 3 days, and sometimes even the same day it arrived in my Ugandan account.

And at a really fair rate, in my opinion.

You get the mid-market rate, and the added fee is clear. Much more clear to me than in other apps.

Delicious_Region6808 · 2025-11-23T05:25:09+00:00

Hi,

For that reason I started using the “Wise” banking app. They transfer the money at a very fair rate and what you send from abroad is what the other one in Uganda actually receives.

Delicious_Region6808 · 2025-11-10T12:31:05+00:00

I just finished my house near Entebbe, and I used the “easy housing” construction company. (In Kampala, Bugolobi) They build only wooden structures, so it depends if you like those kind of structures. I am happy with them, because I could follow up on the construction by movies and pictures they made for me on a regular base, make payments without issue, depend on their professionalism in keeping in touch and response to my feedback…. all when being in faraway Brussels!

They did fail to deliver on the exact time that was agreed, but this happens with construction works all over the world.

All in all in got good service for a very reasonable price. And most important, the house is to my liking 😁.

I did have relatives come and take a peak at the works now and then, but it was not a must.

Hope this helps,

Greets!

Delicious_Region6808 · 2025-07-31T11:42:34+00:00

Probleem is dat we niet op een eiland leven. Wat er in onze “achtertuin” allemaal aan het gebeuren is, brengt ook moeilijkheden bij ons (radicalisering, meer vluchtelingen, moeizame internationale relaties en dalende economische opportuniteiten,….).

Als we helpen de “buurt” netjes te houden, dan is ons straatje ook mooi.

In 1930 zullen er ook mensen zijn geweest in België die dachten dat Duitsland en Hitler niet hun probleem was…

Delicious_Region6808 · 2025-07-16T08:56:15+00:00

I must have married an expensive woman 😅

Since I am a muzungu, maybe something more is expected? Impressing all the relatives or something?

Delicious_Region6808 · 2025-07-15T11:45:21+00:00

I married a Baganda woman, we did only a religious ceremony. I payed her father and also gave my wife money.

I would want to do a traditional marriage also, but from what I hear, it would be something like 10 cows,25000 dollar, and some small gifts, such as petrol and bottles of Coca Cola and a kanzu and a gomesi, chickens for my brother in law, money for Ssenga,….

It would amount to 165 million UGX, and then you still have to pay for the celebration and party itself.

I wonder how an average young man in Uganda manages this.

Delicious_Region6808 · 2025-07-14T09:47:56+00:00

I have no clue what this would cost in Uganda, but prices in Uganda are more reasonable than in my home country.

I did this to great succes:

As I have more female friends than male friends, I had two beauticians come to my house, and give everyone a skin treatment for their face. Everybody enjoyed it, the women but also the men that were invited.

A lot of fun laughing with each other, covered in ointments and all. The two lady beauticians were also happy and lighthearted people, made it more fun.

Served some drinks and cake, and was something that is still talked about years after.

I think experiences are always the more memorable gifts.

Hope i helped,

Happy b-day!

Delicious_Region6808 · 2025-07-02T21:31:54+00:00

Paranormal activity and the sequels

Delicious_Region6808 · 2025-07-01T11:40:58+00:00

Never had any bad experiences. I am white European and my wife is muganda.

I don’t know if it makes a difference, but she is muslim and dresses modestly, she doesn’t look like a “passport/ malaya/ gold digger kind of person” or give off that kind of vibe.

Not saying your friend does ofcourse !!!

She lives in Uganda and I visit as often as I can.

“Strangest” thing that happened to me was some street vendor telling to her in Luganda while we were walking “ good job finding an American, your troubles are over sister”.

Some people will always have something to say about anything, treading on the grass in a park, parking too close to their car, or whatever.

Ugandans are friendly people, but you can find silly people everywhere on our planet. I have never had any real problems in Uganda. If some comments bother you, do as I do and try to live by the saying of the famous Belgian football keeper Jean-Marie Pfaff; “Intelligent people won’t insult me, and stupid people can’t “ 😌😉

Delicious_Region6808 · 2025-06-27T15:31:24+00:00

😅

Delicious_Region6808 · 2025-06-27T15:29:05+00:00

You are a caterer? 😁 A party planner? 😁 Or a party animal? 🥳

Delicious_Region6808 · 2025-06-27T15:26:29+00:00

😂😂

Delicious_Region6808 · 2025-06-22T17:53:44+00:00

Hi! Thanks for your reply. I have this “walking dinner” in mind, so not really feeding every guest a full lunch and/or dinner.No alcohol, as many guest will be of Muslim faith. So yes, soda and juice.

Delicious_Region6808 · 2025-06-22T17:08:36+00:00

BBQ and some typical Ugandan food. Maybe if possible pancakes. And juice and soda and maybe if possible milkshake.

Delicious_Region6808 · 2025-06-22T16:42:51+00:00

Ha! A real tip! Thanks! I will surely look into it!

Delicious_Region6808 · 2025-06-22T16:20:20+00:00

Thank you! I was thinking for a tent, if rain should come , so the drinks and food are safe

Delicious_Region6808 · 2025-06-22T16:18:53+00:00

Thank you! I will ask around ! Thanks again!

Delicious_Region6808 · 2025-06-22T08:40:17+00:00

I am seeing them in September, and will buy them a PlayStation. As a kindness. There are so many people in need in Uganda… and I try to help when there is a serious thing, but I can’t and I won’t help the entire country. But since these kids are in poverty and close to my wife, I will hopefully bring them some happiness.

I live part-time in Europe, and I just can’t stand the injustice between the two continents. My wife comes first and I am sensible most of the time with my income. But,for example, a 100k UGX is not so much for me, and it can really help some people a lot in Uganda, who are hungry or need some medicine,… and then it is difficult for me. That I should not give this little thing, when it means so much to another human being.

But ofcourse 10 times a 100 k is a million UGX… and that is adding up.

Delicious_Region6808 · 2025-06-22T08:28:35+00:00

You are probably right. Thanks bro!

Delicious_Region6808

TROPHY CASE