Uber has officially ended its ride-hailing operations in Uganda, bringing its 10-year journey in the country to an unexpected close.
The global ride-hailing giant stopped its services in Uganda on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, after announcing a decision to wind down operations following a review of its business priorities.
Uber first launched in Kampala in 2016, introducing thousands of Ugandans to app-based car-hailing and becoming one of the most recognisable ride-hailing brands in the country.
In a message to customers, the company said it had made the decision after a thorough review of its business.
Uber thanked Ugandans for allowing the company to be part of their daily lives and said it had been a privilege connecting passengers with independent drivers since its Kampala launch.
The company, however, did not provide specific details about the factors behind its decision to leave Uganda.
What Uber’s exit means for Kampala
Uber’s departure marks a major change in Kampala’s ride-hailing industry, which has become increasingly competitive since the company entered the market a decade ago.
Passengers now have several alternatives, with services such as SafeBoda’s SafeCar, Faras and Yango competing for riders and drivers.
SafeBoda, which initially built its reputation around motorcycle transport, has also expanded its services to include car-hailing, putting it in direct competition with platforms such as Uber.
With Uber now gone, its former riders and driver-partners become an important opportunity for competing platforms looking to expand their market share.
Uber also leaves Nigeria
Uganda is not the only African market Uber has left on Wednesday.
The company also ended its operations in Nigeria, bringing its 12-year presence in the country’s ride-hailing sector to an end.
Uber entered Nigeria in 2014 through Lagos before expanding its services to several other cities.
The company said the decisions to leave Uganda and Nigeria followed a review of its business priorities and investment strategy. Uber has stressed that the move is limited to the two markets and does not represent a complete withdrawal from Africa.
The company has also exited other African markets in recent years, including Tanzania and Côte d’Ivoire.
Exit comes amid major global restructuring
Uber’s African departures come on the same day the company announced a major restructuring of its global workforce.
The company plans to cut approximately 3,300 jobs, representing about 10% of its global workforce.
Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi said the restructuring is intended to simplify the company’s structure, reduce management layers and allow the company to direct more resources towards future growth and innovation.
The company is also increasing its focus on areas such as autonomous vehicles as the transportation industry continues to evolve.
A new chapter for Kampala’s ride-hailing market
Uber’s 10-year presence helped establish app-based taxi services as part of everyday transportation in Kampala.
Its exit now leaves competitors with an opportunity to attract Uber’s former customers and drivers.
For Kampala passengers, the immediate effect could be greater reliance on alternative ride-hailing platforms, while competing companies will be watching closely to see how the market changes following Uber’s departure.
After a decade on Uganda’s roads, the Uber era in Kampala has officially come to an end.
written by @enock katamba
- Enock Katamba is a Ugandan Journalist and Founder of Uncovered UG, an independent digital news platform covering Uganda and international developments. He reports on politics, national affairs, entertainment, sports, business, education and other stories of public interest.
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