Moving to United States from Uganda

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What to Expect

A comprehensive look at what changes when you move from Uganda to United States — from daily expenses to quality of life.

If you moved from Uganda to United States. You’ll also switch from driving on the left to the right. Expect a noticeable climate shift — Washington averages 66°F vs 82°F in Kampala, making it significantly cooler.

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Who Else Is Making This Move?

Real numbers on people moving from Uganda to United States, and how the trend has changed.

Moved in 2023
1,220 ↑ 3% vs 2022

people moved from Uganda to United States · OECD (latest data available)

Who's moving to United States?

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

Foreign-born population · UN DESA (2020)

Key Indicator Comparison

How Uganda and United States stack up on safety, healthcare, jobs, and infrastructure.

Is it safe?

Homicide rate United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

per 100,000 people per year

UG
8.8
US
6.4
Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

UG
16.0
US
14.2

United States performs significantly better than Uganda across all safety metrics.

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2023

annual government + private spending per person

UG
$139
US
$13,473
Doctors per 10,000 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

affects wait times and access to care

UG
1.7
US
36.1

Uganda generally does better on health & wellbeing, though United States leads in doctors per 10,000 people.

What about the environment?

Air pollution deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2019

deaths attributable to air pollution per 100k people

UG
60.0
US
14.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

UG
0.2t
US
13.6t

Uganda generally does better on environment, though United States 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
US
37.8
Water stress level United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

UG
5.8%
US
28.2%

United States 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%
US
3.6%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

UG
$2,800
US
$73,600

United States generally does better on employment & economy, though Uganda leads in unemployment rate.

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy The World Factbook, 2022

average years of life at birth

UG
69.0 yrs
US
80.6 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

UG
30.4
US
5.2

United States 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

Washington Rain: 41.5 in/yr (1055 mm)
66° / 44°F

Avg. annual high / low

Months Kampala Washington
Jan–Mar 84°/64°F (29°/18°C) 48°/28°F (9°/-2°C)
Apr–Jun 81°/64°F (27°/18°C) 75°/51°F (24°/11°C)
Jul–Sep 81°/63°F (27°/17°C) 85°/62°F (29°/17°C)
Oct–Dec 82°/64°F (28°/17°C) 57°/35°F (14°/2°C)
View all months
Month Kampala Washington
Jan 83°/64°F (28.6°/17.7°C) 42°/24°F (5.8°/-4.5°C)
Feb 85°/64°F (29.3°/18.0°C) 46°/26°F (8.0°/-3.3°C)
Mar 84°/65°F (28.7°/18.1°C) 56°/33°F (13.1°/0.5°C)
Apr 82°/64°F (27.7°/18.0°C) 67°/42°F (19.3°/5.6°C)
May 81°/64°F (27.3°/17.9°C) 75°/51°F (23.9°/10.7°C)
Jun 81°/64°F (27.1°/17.6°C) 84°/61°F (28.8°/16.1°C)
Jul 80°/63°F (26.9°/17.1°C) 88°/65°F (31.1°/18.6°C)
Aug 81°/63°F (27.2°/17.1°C) 87°/64°F (30.3°/17.9°C)
Sep 82°/63°F (27.9°/17.2°C) 79°/56°F (26.3°/13.5°C)
Oct 82°/63°F (27.7°/17.4°C) 68°/44°F (20.1°/6.6°C)
Nov 81°/64°F (27.4°/17.5°C) 58°/35°F (14.2°/1.8°C)
Dec 82°/64°F (27.9°/17.5°C) 46°/27°F (7.8°/-2.7°C)

Data: National Weather Service National Weather Service

Visitor Visa Requirements

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

Uganda passport

Uganda passport holder visiting United States

Visa Required
Uganda passport holders need a visa to enter United States.
United States passport

United States passport holder visiting Uganda

Visa Online (e-Visa)
United States passport holders need to apply for an e-Visa before travelling to Uganda.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work remotely from United States?

With 37.8 fixed broadband subscriptions per 100 people, United States can support video calls in major cities. The hard part is paperwork — visa category, employer policy on overseas staff, and tax residency in Uganda and United States.

Is United States safe for expats?

United States performs significantly better than Uganda across all safety metrics. The homicide rate in United States is 6.4 per 100,000 people, compared to 8.8 in Uganda.

How is healthcare in United States compared to Uganda?

Uganda generally does better on health & wellbeing, though United States leads in doctors per 10,000 people. There are 36.1 doctors per 10,000 people in United States, compared to 1.7 in Uganda. United States scores 86 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Uganda: 49).

What's the weather like in United States compared to Uganda?

The average high temperature in Washington is 66°F, compared to 82°F in Kampala. Washington receives around 41.5 in of rainfall per year, while Kampala gets 49.8 in.

What language do they speak in United States?

The official language in United States is English. In Uganda, the official languages are English and Swahili.

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At a Glance

UG US
Population 46,205,893 337,341,954
Currency Ugandan Shilling (UGX) United States Dollar ($)
Languages English, Swahili English
Driving side Left Right
Calling code +256 +1
Time zones 1 11
Emergency number 999 911