Close Protection in Kampala

Kampala is the capital and commercial centre of Uganda, a landlocked East African country of 50 million people. Uganda has maintained consistent economic growth over recent decades and Kampala is increasingly a destination for international investment, particularly in oil and gas, agriculture, and technology. The city carries a high security risk rating, with terrorism and political unrest as the defining factors alongside standard urban crime.

FCDO advises caution across Uganda and specifically warns against travel to the western border regions (DRC conflict proximity), northern Uganda, and Karamoja region.

The terrorism dimension

Uganda’s role in AMISOM (now ATMIS) operations in Somalia has made it a target for Al-Shabaab. The July 2010 Kampala World Cup bombings, which killed 76 people, established the Al-Shabaab threat profile. The October 2021 bombings (three explosions including near parliament) were attributed to ADF with IS affiliation, demonstrating a second active threat stream.

Uganda’s security forces have invested significantly in counter-terrorism capability since 2010. This creates a more security-aware urban environment but does not eliminate the threat. Soft-target awareness, including bars, markets, and transport nodes, remains relevant for corporate visitors.

Political risk

Uganda’s political landscape, dominated by President Museveni since 1986, has experienced periods of significant unrest, particularly around elections. The 2021 election period saw violence and security force operations that affected movement in Kampala. Opposition activities and demonstrations can escalate and attract aggressive police responses.

Corporate visitors are not a primary political target. The practical implication is awareness: avoiding large gatherings, monitoring the political calendar, and having a contingency protocol for unrest scenarios is standard preparation for any Kampala visit.

Moving in Kampala

Transport in Kampala requires specific planning. Boda boda motorcycle taxis are the primary vehicle for opportunistic street crime: phone snatching from vehicles in traffic is frequent, and boda boda riders have been involved in targeted theft operations against vehicles. Keep phones and valuables away from windows in traffic.

Night driving outside established areas is strongly discouraged. Road conditions and security risk both increase significantly after dark. Pre-arranged transfers from a known operator are the appropriate baseline for all movements, including airport runs. The area between Entebbe Airport and central Kampala, particularly at night, requires specific attention given documented targeting of arriving visitors.

Our operations in Kampala

Our operators work through Uganda Police Force-registered Ugandan partners and have East Africa operational experience. We provide close protection, security drivers, and event security for corporate, investment, and energy sector clients.

For East Africa context see our Nairobi city page. For a comparison of security conditions across sub-Saharan Africa’s business hubs, see our Accra city page.

Source: FCDO Uganda travel advisory (April 2026). Uganda Police Force Private Security registry. OSAC Uganda Country Security Report 2025. ADF and Al-Shabaab incident reporting 2010-2024.