Moving to Zambia from Uganda

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What to Expect

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

If you moved from Uganda to Zambia.

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Who Else Is Making This Move?

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

Living there in 2020
559 ↑ 39% vs 2015

people born in Uganda live in Zambia · UN DESA

Who's moving to Zambia?

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

Foreign-born population · UN DESA (2020)

Key Indicator Comparison

The numbers behind daily life in Zambia compared to Uganda.

Is it safe?

Homicide rate United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

per 100,000 people per year

UG
8.8
ZM
5.2
Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

UG
16.0
ZM
17.1

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

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2023

annual government + private spending per person

UG
$139
ZM
$244
Doctors per 10,000 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

affects wait times and access to care

UG
1.7
ZM
2.6

Uganda generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Zambia 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
ZM
50.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

UG
0.2t
ZM
0.5t

Uganda generally does better on environment, though Zambia 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
ZM
0.4
Water stress level United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

UG
5.8%
ZM
2.8%

Zambia performs significantly better than Uganda across all infrastructure metrics.

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate The World Factbook, 2023

percentage of the labour force without work

UG
2.8%
ZM
5.9%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

UG
$2,800
ZM
$3,700

Uganda generally does better on employment & economy, though Zambia 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
ZM
66.3 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

UG
30.4
ZM
37.1

Uganda generally does better on family life, though Zambia leads in education spending.

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

Lusaka Rain: 31.4 in/yr (798 mm)
80° / 59°F

Avg. annual high / low

Months Kampala Lusaka
Jan–Mar 84°/64°F (29°/18°C) 80°/62°F (27°/17°C)
Apr–Jun 81°/64°F (27°/18°C) 77°/55°F (25°/13°C)
Jul–Sep 81°/63°F (27°/17°C) 79°/55°F (26°/13°C)
Oct–Dec 82°/64°F (28°/17°C) 85°/64°F (29°/18°C)
View all months
Month Kampala Lusaka
Jan 83°/64°F (28.6°/17.7°C) 80°/63°F (26.6°/17.1°C)
Feb 85°/64°F (29.3°/18.0°C) 80°/62°F (26.5°/16.8°C)
Mar 84°/65°F (28.7°/18.1°C) 81°/62°F (27.0°/16.6°C)
Apr 82°/64°F (27.7°/18.0°C) 80°/59°F (26.5°/15.1°C)
May 81°/64°F (27.3°/17.9°C) 78°/55°F (25.3°/12.7°C)
Jun 81°/64°F (27.1°/17.6°C) 74°/51°F (23.4°/10.6°C)
Jul 80°/63°F (26.9°/17.1°C) 73°/50°F (23.0°/10.2°C)
Aug 81°/63°F (27.2°/17.1°C) 79°/54°F (25.9°/12.3°C)
Sep 82°/63°F (27.9°/17.2°C) 85°/60°F (29.4°/15.3°C)
Oct 82°/63°F (27.7°/17.4°C) 87°/64°F (30.8°/17.5°C)
Nov 81°/64°F (27.4°/17.5°C) 86°/64°F (29.9°/17.9°C)
Dec 82°/64°F (27.9°/17.5°C) 81°/63°F (27.2°/17.3°C)

Data: Zambia Meteorological Department (ZMD) Zambia Meteorological Department (ZMD)

Visitor Visa Requirements

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

Uganda passport

Uganda passport holder visiting Zambia

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

Zambia passport holder visiting Uganda

Visa Free
Zambia 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 Zambia?

Connectivity is usually fine (Zambia: 0.4 fixed broadband per 100). What actually decides it is legal: does Zambia offer a digital nomad visa, will your employer permit overseas work, and where are you tax-resident?

Is Zambia safe for expats?

Uganda generally does better on safety, though Zambia leads in homicide rate. The homicide rate in Zambia is 5.2 per 100,000 people, compared to 8.8 in Uganda.

How is healthcare in Zambia compared to Uganda?

Uganda generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Zambia leads in doctors per 10,000 people. There are 2.6 doctors per 10,000 people in Zambia, compared to 1.7 in Uganda. Zambia scores 56 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Uganda: 49).

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

The average high temperature in Lusaka is 80°F, compared to 82°F in Kampala. Lusaka receives around 31.4 in of rainfall per year, while Kampala gets 49.8 in.

What language do they speak in Zambia?

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

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At a Glance

UG ZM
Population 46,205,893 19,642,123
Currency Ugandan Shilling (UGX) Zambian Kwacha (ZMW)
Languages English, Swahili English
Driving side Left Left
Calling code +256 +260
Time zones 1 1
Emergency number 999