Moving to Kenya from Uganda

moving to

What to Expect

Considering a move from Uganda to Kenya? Here's how the two compare on cost, climate, safety, and more.

If you moved from Uganda to Kenya.

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Who Else Is Making This Move?

What the data shows about people moving from Uganda to Kenya.

Living there in 2020
290,597 ↓ 13% vs 2015

people born in Uganda live in Kenya · UN DESA

Who's moving to Kenya?

Top countries of origin for Kenya's foreign-born residents.

Foreign-born population · UN DESA (2020)

Key Indicator Comparison

The numbers behind daily life in Kenya compared to Uganda.

Is it safe?

Homicide rate United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

per 100,000 people per year

UG
8.8
KE
4.9
Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

UG
16.0
KE
28.2

Uganda generally does better on safety, though Kenya leads in homicide rate.

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2023

annual government + private spending per person

UG
$139
KE
$274
Doctors per 10,000 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

affects wait times and access to care

UG
1.7
KE
1.0

Uganda generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Kenya leads in health coverage index.

What about the environment?

Air pollution deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2019

deaths attributable to air pollution per 100k people

UG
60.0
KE
33.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

UG
0.2t
KE
0.4t

Uganda generally does better on environment, though Kenya leads in air pollution deaths.

Will I have good infrastructure?

Broadband per 100 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

fixed broadband subscriptions — key for remote work

UG
0.1
KE
1.9
Water stress level United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

UG
5.8%
KE
33.2%

Kenya generally does better on infrastructure, though Uganda leads in water stress level.

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate The World Factbook, 2023

percentage of the labour force without work

UG
2.8%
KE
5.7%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

UG
$2,800
KE
$5,700

Uganda generally does better on employment & economy, though Kenya leads in gdp per capita.

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy The World Factbook, 2022

average years of life at birth

UG
69.0 yrs
KE
69.7 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

UG
30.4
KE
27.9

Kenya performs significantly better than Uganda across all family life metrics.

Data: The World Factbook, Uganda Revenue Authority, United Nations SDG Indicators, World Bank

What's the Climate Like?

Monthly averages — select a city to compare.

Kampala Rain: 49.8 in/yr (1264 mm)
82° / 64°F

Avg. annual high / low

Nairobi Rain: 40.3 in/yr (1024 mm)
74° / 54°F

Avg. annual high / low

Months Kampala Nairobi
Jan–Mar 84°/64°F (29°/18°C) 77°/54°F (25°/12°C)
Apr–Jun 81°/64°F (27°/18°C) 73°/55°F (23°/13°C)
Jul–Sep 81°/63°F (27°/17°C) 72°/50°F (22°/10°C)
Oct–Dec 82°/64°F (28°/17°C) 75°/55°F (24°/13°C)
View all months
Month Kampala Nairobi
Jan 83°/64°F (28.6°/17.7°C) 76°/53°F (24.5°/11.5°C)
Feb 85°/64°F (29.3°/18.0°C) 78°/53°F (25.6°/11.6°C)
Mar 84°/65°F (28.7°/18.1°C) 78°/56°F (25.6°/13.1°C)
Apr 82°/64°F (27.7°/18.0°C) 75°/57°F (24.1°/14.0°C)
May 81°/64°F (27.3°/17.9°C) 73°/56°F (22.6°/13.2°C)
Jun 81°/64°F (27.1°/17.6°C) 71°/52°F (21.5°/11.0°C)
Jul 80°/63°F (26.9°/17.1°C) 69°/50°F (20.6°/10.1°C)
Aug 81°/63°F (27.2°/17.1°C) 71°/50°F (21.4°/10.2°C)
Sep 82°/63°F (27.9°/17.2°C) 75°/51°F (23.7°/10.5°C)
Oct 82°/63°F (27.7°/17.4°C) 76°/54°F (24.7°/12.5°C)
Nov 81°/64°F (27.4°/17.5°C) 74°/56°F (23.1°/13.1°C)
Dec 82°/64°F (27.9°/17.5°C) 74°/55°F (23.4°/12.6°C)

Data: Kenya Meteorological Department Kenya Meteorological Department

Visitor Visa Requirements

Short-stay tourist visa rules between Uganda and Kenya. To live, work, or study long-term in Kenya, you'll need a separate residence or work visa — check Kenya's immigration authority.

Uganda passport

Uganda passport holder visiting Kenya

Visa Free
Uganda passport holders can enter Kenya without a visa.
Kenya passport

Kenya passport holder visiting Uganda

Visa Free
Kenya passport holders can enter Uganda without a visa.

Data: Henley Passport Index. Check with the destination country's embassy for the most current requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work remotely from Kenya?

Connectivity is usually fine (Kenya: 1.9 fixed broadband per 100). What actually decides it is legal: does Kenya offer a digital nomad visa, will your employer permit overseas work, and where are you tax-resident?

Is Kenya safe for expats?

Uganda generally does better on safety, though Kenya leads in homicide rate. The homicide rate in Kenya is 4.9 per 100,000 people, compared to 8.8 in Uganda.

How is healthcare in Kenya compared to Uganda?

Uganda generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Kenya leads in health coverage index. There are 1.0 doctors per 10,000 people in Kenya, compared to 1.7 in Uganda. Kenya scores 53 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Uganda: 49).

What's the weather like in Kenya compared to Uganda?

The average high temperature in Nairobi is 74°F, compared to 82°F in Kampala. Nairobi receives around 40.3 in of rainfall per year, while Kampala gets 49.8 in.

What language do they speak in Kenya?

Both Uganda and Kenya share the same official languages: English and Swahili.

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At a Glance

UG KE
Population 46,205,893 55,864,655
Currency Ugandan Shilling (UGX) Kenyan Shilling (KES)
Languages English, Swahili English, Swahili
Driving side Left Left
Calling code +256 +254
Time zones 1 1
Emergency number 999 999