Expand your global workforce in Uganda
Your guide to the employment landscape, working customs and local labor laws in Uganda
Capital
Kampala
Currency
Ugandan Shilling (UGX)
Languages
Swahili, English
GDP per Capita
$934.90
Employer Tax
10%
Payroll Frequency
Bi-weekly, Monthly
Talent overview
Uganda is a landlocked country in East Africa with an economic freedom score of 54.2 making it the 127th freest in the world. The country boasts a middle ranking of 24th among 47 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. Uganda’s main economy relies on agriculture, making up 71.9% of its GDP. Only second to Ethiopia, coffee alone accounts for 17% of the country’s exports.
Major economic hubs:
Kampala, Mbarara, Gulu
Skills in demand:
Agricultural Professionals, Management Professionals, ICT Professionals, Medical Professionals
Uganda
Top local universities in Uganda
Makerere University
RANKING
Local: 1
World : 1765
Uganda Christian University
RANKING
Local: 2
World : 5764
Kampala International University
RANKING
Local: 3
World : 7065
Mbarara University of Science and Technology
RANKING
Local: 4
World : 7170
Kyambogo University
RANKING
Local: 5
World : 7649
Top Local Job Boards:
Brighter Monday, Ugandan Jobline, Uganda Job
Number of LinkedIn users:
961, 700
Top Recruitment Agencies:
Where to find talent
Top Local Job Boards:
Top Local Job Boards
Number of LinkedIn users:
Number of LinkedIn users
Top Recruitment Agencies:
Top Recruitment Agencies:
Salary Data
The table contains the average monthly salary in Uganda
| No. | Job Title | Average Monthly Salary (in UGX) | Average Monthly Salary (in USD) |
| 1 | Information Technology Manager | 4,400,000.00 | 1,171.98 |
| 2 | Network Engineer | 2,360,000.00 | 628.61 |
| 3 | Developer / Programmer | 2,670,000.00 | 711.18 |
| 4 | Project Manager | 3,000,000.00 | 799.07 |
| 5 | Database Administrator | 2,570,000.00 | 684.54 |
| 6 | Business Analyst | 3,400,000.00 | 905.62 |
| 7 | Business Development Manager | 4,100,000.00 | 1,092.07 |
Employ in Uganda
Employing in Uganda
Hiring in Uganda requires you to be aware of the local employment laws, benefits, payroll, and taxes. Below is everything you need to know to successfully onboard talents from Uganda.
Employee Contract
Contracts in Uganda can either be written or oral. However, for the contract to be binding, employers should provide a written contract before starting employment. There is no mandatory language requirement for employment contracts in Uganda; however, the document must be understood by the employee.
Probation Period
The probationary period for new employees is up to 6 months.
Public and Provincial Holidays
| Date | Name | Type |
| January 1 | New Year | National Holiday |
| January 26 | Liberation Day | National Holiday |
| February 16 | Remembrance of Archbishop Janani Luwum | National Holiday |
| March 8 | International Women’s Day | National Holiday |
| March 31 | Eid al-Fitr | National Holiday |
| April 18 | Good Friday | National Holiday |
| April 21 | Easter Monday | National Holiday |
| May 1 | Labour Day | National Holiday |
| June 3 | Martyrs’ Day | National Holiday |
| June 7 | Eid al-Adha | National Holiday |
| June 9 | National Heroes Day | National Holiday |
| October 9 | Independence Day | National Holiday |
| December 25 | Christmas Day | National Holiday |
| December 26 | Boxing Day | National Holiday |
Employee Leaves
| Type of leave | Time period | Mandatory |
| Annual leave/Earned Leave | At least 21 days | Yes |
| Maternity Leave | 60 days | Yes |
| Sick Leave | 30 days | Yes |
Leave Compliance
Public and Provincial Holidays
Payroll in Uganda
Payroll cycle
Workers are paid either monthly or bi-monthly.
Minimum wage
The minimum wage in Uganda is UGX 130,000 per month.
Overtime pay
Overtime pay in Uganda is usually 150% of the regular pay rate with holidays and weekends amounting to 200% of the regular pay rate. The hours spent working must not exceed 10 hours a day for at least 3 weeks or a total of 56 hours per week.
How taxes work
Employer Payroll Tax
| Contribution | Rate (%) |
| National Social Security fund | 10 |
Employee Payroll Tax
| Contribution | Rate (%) |
| National Social Security fund* | 5 |
Employee Income Tax
| Annual Chargeable Income
(UGX, Ugandan Shillings) |
Tax Rate (%) |
| 0 to 2,820,000 (235,000 per month) | 0% |
| 2,820,000 (235,000 per month) to 4,020,000 (335,000 per month) | 10% of the amount exceeding 2,820,000 (235,000 per month) |
| 4,020,000 (335,000 per month) to 4,920,000 (410,000 per month) | 120,000 + 20% of the amount exceeding 4,020,000 (335,000 per month) |
| Exceeding 4,920,000 (410,000 per month) | 300,000 + 30% of the amount exceeding 4,920,000 (410,000 per month) + 10% of amount exceeding 120,000,000 (10,000,000 per month) |
The income tax rates applicable to non-resident individuals are as follows:
| Annual Chargeable Income
(UGX, Ugandan Shillings) |
Tax Rate (%) |
| 0 to 4,020,000 (335,000 per month) | 10% |
| 4,020,000 (335,000 per month) to 4,920,000 (410,000 per month) | 402,000 + 20% of the amount exceeding 4,020,000 (335,000 per month) |
| Exceeding 4,920,000 (410,000 per month) | 582,000 + 30% of the amount exceeding 4,920,000 (410,000 per month) + 10% of the amount exceeding 120,000,000 (10,000,000 per month) |
VAT
The standard VAT in Uganda is 18%.
Bonus
13th Month Pay
The 13th-month pay is customary in Uganda.
Employee Benefits
Full-time employees in Uganda are ensured to have insurance benefits such as
- Employment Injury Benefits
- Invalidity, Old age, and survivors’ benefits
- Medical Care and Sickness Benefits
- Unemployment Benefits
Employee offboarding
Employers must provide written notice for termination or pay in lieu of notice specifying valid reasons under the labor code of Uganda. An employee terminated unfairly is entitled to four weeks’ worth of wages.
Employees, on the other hand, may terminate the contract with or without notice provided that there is misconduct on the part of the employer and before the expiry of the notice of termination.
The notice period for probationary and regular employees ranges from 2 – 3 weeks.
The severance pay is under the provisions of the agreement between the employer and employee. However, employees are entitled to severance pay with at least 6 months of continuous service.
Visa and
immigration
Apply for a business visa to Uganda requires you to submit the application form electronically (email) and will be studied by an Immigration Officer. Once approved, the document will be sent electronically (email), which can be printed or presented upon entering the country.
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Your employment toolkit for Uganda
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Overtime Pay
Minimum Wage
Overtime Pay
Visa and Immigration
Apply for a business visa to Uganda requires you to submit the application form electronically (email) and will be studied by an Immigration Officer. Once approved, the document will be sent electronically (email), which can be printed or presented upon entering the country.
The successful application of a visa, however, does not guarantee entry into the country. There will be secondary verification travelers need to go through.
Travelers must present at least 6 months of validity of the passport.
The usual cost for a visa application is as follows:
Transit
- USD 50
Multiple Entry
- 6 months – USD 100
- 12 months – USD 100
- 24 months – USD 150