Planning an event in Kampala? Request an event security assessment.
Kampala event security operates in a high-risk East African capital environment where ADF terrorism, boda boda snatching, and limited medical capacity all require specific planning provisions beyond standard African capital event security. UPF-licensed operators, terrorism-aware venue hardening, and documented medical evacuation plans are the foundations of the Kampala event security programme.
For the broader Kampala security context, see our Kampala city page for the current FCDO terrorism advisory and district-level risk assessment. For delegates requiring personal close protection at Kampala events, bodyguard hire in Kampala covers UPF-licensed close protection deployment across Uganda.
What does event security in Kampala cover?
Kampala Event Landscape
Kampala is Uganda's capital and the primary venue for East African business conferences, development sector gatherings, bilateral government meetings, and regional investment forums. The Nakasero and Kololo districts house the principal international hotel properties and government offices, with the Serena Hotel Kampala, Sheraton Kampala, and Pearl of Africa Hotel providing the primary conference infrastructure. Kampala's growing economic profile as a sub-Saharan Africa investment destination has generated an expanding international event calendar.
Uganda Police Force Licensing
Private security in Uganda is governed by the Police Act (Cap. 303, section 72), with the Uganda Police Force (UPF) maintaining the list of licensed operators. Security companies must hold UPF-endorsed licences and individual operatives require UPF registration. Armed security is available through licensed operators. Foreign security personnel require work permits and must operate through Ugandan-licensed firms. Our Kampala event security partners hold current UPF licensing. Documentation is provided to event organisers before deployment.
ADF Terrorism Awareness
The Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), an IS-affiliated group operating primarily from eastern DRC, has conducted attacks in Uganda including the 2021 Kampala bombings in which three explosions targeted an intersection near parliament and a police station. The FCDO rates the terrorism risk in Uganda as high. Terrorism-aware event security in Kampala includes vehicle access control at event entrances, x-ray and wand screening for all attendees, and venue perimeter management proportionate to the event's international profile.
Traffic and Boda Boda Management
Kampala traffic is consistently congested and chaotic. Boda boda motorcycle taxis create a specific threat: snatching from vehicles in traffic is well documented. Event delegate transport uses windows-up management in congested areas and UPF-licensed operators briefed on the specific Kampala boda boda risk environment. Event programmes build generous transit time into all delegate movement between venues. Night driving is strongly discouraged and managed accordingly.
Entebbe International Airport Delegate Transfers
Entebbe International Airport (EBB) is located approximately 40 kilometres south-west of Kampala on the shores of Lake Victoria. The transfer to Kampala's Nakasero and Kololo hotel zone takes 45 to 75 minutes depending on traffic on the Entebbe-Kampala highway. Our event security team coordinates all delegate arrivals and departures with UPF-licensed transport. The Entebbe highway approach is the single main road: traffic on this corridor is the primary delegate transfer variable.
Medical Provision and Emergency Planning
Medical facilities in Kampala are limited by international standards. Private hospitals in the city provide initial stabilisation rather than full specialist capability, and international assistance providers hold their own referral arrangements for member clients. For complex cases requiring specialist treatment, medical evacuation to a regional centre is coordinated through the client's medical evacuation provider. Ambulance response is reached on 911 and the Uganda Red Cross on +256 414 258701, though response reliability is variable. All Kampala event security assessments include a medical provision plan with the nearest capable facility identified at the time of the assessment and the evacuation route documented.
Vetted operators. Local knowledge. Proven protocols.
Sources for this page
Licensing, firearms and foreign-operator rules for Kampala, checked : Police Act, Cap. 303 (Statute 13/1994), section 72 'Control of private security organisations' and section 73(1)(p), ULII (text read from a copy of the Act); The Eagle Online, 'Police releases list of licensed private security firms and gun dealers for 2026', 9 March 2026 (press report of the Inspector General of Police's list). The full rules are on our Kampala security overview.
Travel advice quoted on this page: FCDO travel advice: Uganda. Advice changes; read the current version before travel.