How To Buy a Prepaid Sim Card in Uganda in 2024

Planning your trip to Uganda and wondering what is the best sim card to stay connected and not get stuck with high roaming charges or slow overseas data roaming plans? This is the ultimate guide with everything you need to know before buying a prepaid sim card in Uganda.

Let me help you find the best sim card for traveling to Uganda in 2024.

Find out where to buy a sim card, up to date prices as per November 2024, best 4G/5G network in Uganda, my recommendation and experiences and more about eSIMs for Uganda.

In the past I always used to buy a prepaid sim card on arrival but nowadays I mostly order an eSIM on the internet.

Table of Contents

You can also buy a sim card at Entebbe Airport? Check out my guide for buying a sim card at Entebbe Airport.

RELATED: 23 Best Things To Do in Kampala in 2024.

Some links in this article about the best prepaid sim cards for traveling to Uganda are affiliate links. If you buy any of the products after using an affiliate link I earn a small commission. Don't worry this is at absolutely no extra cost to you.

Why buying a sim card for Uganda

First of all it makes traveling so much easier, more convenient and even safer when you have a working data connection on your phone. Use taxi apps, find directions, restaurants, hotels, etc. on Google Maps, use translation apps, check your banking apps and so on.

Said that, you should do everything you can to avoid excessive roaming charges. Don't use data roaming on your sim card from home or ended up with a shocking phone bill.

If you have read my blog posts with everything you need to know before traveling to Uganda, you already know that WiFi in Uganda is NOT reliable and mostly very slow. Don't rely on WiFi, getting a sim card for Uganda is easy and cheap.

Also another reminder that public WiFi is through an unsecured network, the use of a VPN is recommended.

One of the first things I do when planning my next trip abroad is figuring out what is the best sim card to stay connected and whether to order an eSIM or buying a local prepaid sim card.

As Traveltomtom is on a mission to travel to every country in the world I get to a lot of different countries every year and therefore I use about 30 different sim cards per year. Buying sim cards became part of life and that is how Traveltomtom became the ultimate specialist in providing info about sim cards for tourists.

As I like to document all my travel tips you can already find more than 200 sim card guides on Traveltomtom from all over the world: Rwanda, Kigali, Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, South Africa, Cameroon, Dubai, Istanbul, United Kingdom, USA, New York, London, Paris, Cameroon, Gabon, Hong Kong and many more.

So next time you are planning your adventure abroad come check out Traveltomtom for the latest prepaid and eSIM advice for your next holiday destination. Bookmark me and let me help you save money!

My recommendation

Based on my research and my own travel experiences in Uganda Traveltomtom recommends an Airtel sim card for traveling to Uganda. For about $9 USD you get 9 GB data.

Traveltomtom surely recommends eSIMs for traveling to Uganda. It is super easy to order one on the internet but it is no secret that eSIMs are more expensive than local prepaid sim cards.

The best-buy eSIM can be found on Sim Local. It is an international eSIM from Orange valid in every country in the world and it gives you 10 GB data in Uganda for $32 USD.

It is recommended to at least get an eSIM for Uganda with 1 GB data to start your trip with. so that when you land in Uganda you instantly have internet on your phone and you can start arranging logistics. SimOptions has eSIMs for Uganda starting from just $4.90 USD. Airalo is another recommended eSIM provider.

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There are also great international sim cards for traveling to Africa. In my article about the best world sim cards for traveling in 2024 you can find my comparison of all international sim cards that are valid in up to 141 countries around the world.

Where to buy a Uganda sim card

Entebbe Airport

The main international airport in Uganda is about 45 minutes outside the capital city Kampala. Entebbe is a laid-back town on Lake Victoria and the airport is pretty easy going.

It is easy to buy a prepaid sim card at the airport and prices are pretty much the same as anywhere else in Uganda. For more info check my guide on how to buy a sim card at Entebbe International Airport.

Service centers / phone stores

If for some reason you couldn't buy a sim card for Uganda at the airport or you are traveling overland then I recommend you to go to one of the phone shops of the mobile internet providers. These service centers are the only place where tourists can buy a prepaid sim card and do the registration process.

Kiosks

Everywhere on the side of the streets you will see kiosk of the mobile internet providers, but these kiosks don't sell prepaid sim cards to foreigners. This has to do with the extensive registration process of prepaid sim cards in Uganda.

Online

Forget about all the hassle of buying a prepaid sim card in Uganda. Get yourself an eSIM if your phone is eSIM compatible. The sim card registration process is very extensive in Uganda and can sometimes take up to 1 hour.

An eSIM you can order in just 2 minutes and you are online as soon as the plane lands.

If your phone is not eSIM compatible you can order a physical prepaid sim card via SimOptions and get it delivered to your home address.

Online sim cards do NOT require registration, you just need your email address.

RELATED: 33 Things to Know When Traveling to Uganda!

Mobile internet operators in Uganda

For a long time there were 3 main mobile internet operators in Uganda, but now there are 4:

• MTN
• Airtel
• Africell
• Lycamobile

In 2020 a brand entered the Uganda sim card market: Lycamobile. This UK based brand is expanding its services to Africa. In Europe, Lycamobile is operating as a MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator), but in Uganda they actually have a full NTO (National Telecommunications Operator) license. This means Lycamobile operates on its own network.

All mobile internet providers in Uganda sell prepaid sim cards for tourists. Prices are pretty similar, the big difference is the 4G/5G mobile network coverage. More info later.

There are no eSIMs for tourists available in Uganda as of November 2024, only prepaid physical sim cards.

Sim card registration in Uganda

Here is my friend Sean doing the registration process when he bought an Airtel sim card. I traveled overland from Namibia to Ethiopia and arrived late at night on the Uganda border. Read more about my experiences buying a sim card in Uganda at the end of this blog.

Every prepaid sim card will be registered on your name with your passport. A photo of your passport will be taken as well as a photo of you while holding the sim card next to your face.

The sim card registration in Uganda is very official and there is no way around. You first have to fill out a form, then your fingerprint is taken, then your passport is registered, then the photo session and then it finally gets activated.

Therefore when buying a sim card in Uganda allow yourself a little time. It will take probably between 20 to 40 minutes depending how busy it is in the shop.

When registering the sim card you need to create a PIN number and with every transaction like a top up for a new data bundle you will need to confirm with your personal PIN, so don't forget it!

To avoid losing time on your Uganda holiday simply order an eSIM for Uganda. You arrange everything online in just a couple clicks and there is no ID verification needed. Traveltomtom recommends ordering an eSIM for Uganda via either SimOptions or Airalo.

Social Media Tax (OTT)

Mobile internet in Uganda is at times restricted and regulated, depending on the regulations of the government. The best example is that on the day of National election in Uganda on January 13th 2021 there was NO INTERNET ACCESS country wide.

Although a major resistance against a proposed social media tax, the government pushed through the controversial social media tax called OTT. Whenever you want to use social media apps in Uganda you have to pay an additional tax. For tourists this is just a couple cents, but for Ugandans this can be a lot of money.

Good news is that since 2023 the Social Media Tax, the so called OTT is included in data bundles, so you just pay a little extra tax. Data plans and internet packages are slightly more expensive, but nothing really to worry about for tourists as data bundles in Uganda are cheap anyway.

Facebook is blocked in Uganda

Since the beginning of 2021 Instagram and Facebook have been blocked in Uganda due to a dispute between the Uganda government and Facebook. For a long time the Meta apps could not be accessed.

Although reports in 2023 said that things have been restored, Facebook and Instagram are still officially blocked. At a conference in January 2024 the Ugandan minister of ICT said the Ugandan government is in talks with Facebook to lift the ban. To be continued...

Use of VPN in Uganda

Officially it is forbidden by law to use a VPN in Uganda. That said pretty much all young people in Uganda are using a VPN. In phone shops in Uganda they even advice you about good VPN's to use. Since Facebook and Instagram are officially still blocked the use of a VPN is recommended, also for the protection of your data.

Prices Uganda prepaid sim cards in 2024

All info and prices are updated in November 2024. Prices are in Ugandan Schilling and $1 USD = 3,725 UGX and 10,000 UGX = $2.68 USD.

Tourists can only get physical prepaid sim cards, there are still no eSIMs for tourists available.

Africell Uganda

A prepaid sim card from Africell costs 2,000 UGX, about $0.5 USD and comes with a little bit of credit. You will need to add credit to your account to add data bundles.

These are the most common Africell data bundles:

• 15,000 UGX = 4.5 GB data for 1 week - $4 USD
• 20,000 UGX = 8 GB data for 1 week - $5 USD
• 25,000 UGX = 8 GB data for 1 month - $7 USD
• 50,000 UGX = 20 GB data for 1 month - $14 USD

For 5,000 UGX ($1.3) you can buy a voice bundle that gives you 20 minutes to call + 200 MB for 1 week.

As you can see mobile internet in Uganda is cheap, so it is worth getting a local sim card in Uganda to not end up with high roaming costs.

MTN Uganda

An MTN Uganda prepaid sim card costs 2,000 UGX and you can add credit to buy voice or data bundles. These are the most common data bundles:

• 20,000 UGX = 5 GB data for 1 week - $5.6 USD
• 50,000 UGX = 10 GB data for 1 month - $14 USD

Click on the link to see the latest MTN Uganda data package deals on their website.

MTN is much more expensive or let's say gives less value for money than Africell. This is because Africell has a weaker 4G/5G network. But let's look at Airtel prepaid sim cards.

Airtel Uganda

Just like the other mobile internet operators a prepaid Airtel sim card also costs 2,000 UGX. And they also have daily, weekly and monthly data bundles. Here are some of the most common ones I would recommend:

• 15,000 UGX = 4 GB data for 1 week - ($4.2 USD)
• 20,000 UGX = 7 GB data for 1 week - ($5.6 USD)
• 30,000 UGX = 9 GB data for 1 month - ($8.5 USD)
• 50,000 UGX = 20 GB data for 1 month - ($14.1 USD)

Calling credit can be added additionally and for 2,000 UGX ($0.5 USD) you get 45 minutes for 1 week. Click on the link to go to the Airtel Uganda website and find the latest Airtel Uganda data bundle prices.

As you can see you get more value for money with an Airtel sim card compared to an MTN sim card for Uganda.

Lycamobile Uganda

A Lycamobile Uganda sim card is free and can be picked up from any of the Lycamobile retailers. Register with your passport, recharge your sim card, choose a bundle and you are ready to go.

The Lycamobile Uganda plans are very affordable compared to the other mobile operators, but there are a couple disadvantages:

• The Lycamobile Uganda network is much smaller
• Their plans include only Lyca to Lyca calling credit

However their data plans have amazing value for money:

• 5,000 UGX = 5 GB data for 1 week - ($1.4 USD)
• 7,000 UGX = 10 GB data for 1 week - ($2 USD)
• 10,000 UGX = 20 GB data for 1 week - ($2.8 USD)
• 25,000 UGX = 50 GB data for 1 week - ($7.1 USD)
• 30,000 UGX = 100 GB data for 1 month - ($8.5 USD)

The cheapest prepaid sim cards in Uganda are from Lycamobile. Check out the latest information about the Lycamobile Uganda Plans.

But do I recommend a Lycamobile sim card for traveling in Uganda? NO!

Related: Ultimate Uganda Itinerary for 3 weeks!

Best 4G/5G network in Uganda

To find out about the best sim card in Uganda let's also take a look at the network coverage for mobile internet.

MTN and Airtel invested big time in 4G/LTE in the last 2 years and the mobile internet network coverage in Uganda is pretty decent. Especially on the main roads in Uganda you will mostly find a 4G/LTE signal when traveling around the country.

As soon as you go off the beaten path the phone signal becomes weaker and the internet speed slows down significantly, but that is the charm of visiting Uganda. Right?

Is there 5G in Uganda?

Is there 5G in Uganda? YES! Surprisingly there is a 5G signal available in Uganda. Uganda was the first country in East Africa to have a 5G signal.

Theoretically there is 5G in Uganda, but in reality I was hardly connected to 5G on my last trip to Kampala. When I walked into an MTN Service Center and asked about it, they didn't even know there was 5G in Uganda yet.

Let's compare the mobile internet coverage maps of Uganda that are available on the internet.

3G/4G/5G network coverage map Airtel Uganda

Airtel Uganda claims to reach more than 95% of the Uganda population and invested heavily in their network in 2019 and 2020. They actually have a little 4G/LTE coverage map on their website.

3G/4G/5G network coverage map MTN Uganda

3G/4G network Africell Uganda

It is much harder to find more info about the 4G coverage of the Africell network in Uganda. Unfortunately they don't provide any additional info on their website. Fact is that Africell is the smallest network in Uganda after of course Lycamobile who just entered the market.

3G/4G network Lycamobile Uganda

Lycamobile is investing and expanding rapidly and their 4G coverage is growing fast. Still I would NOT recommend a Lycamobile sim card for traveling in Uganda, as other mobile internet operators have a much more extensive 4G network in Uganda.

Although the below mobile data network coverage maps are updated for 2024 they are definitely not 100% accurate, they are a good reference to compare the 4G/5G networks of the mobile internet providers in Uganda in 2024.

Overall it is no secret that MTN and Airtel have the best 4G network coverage in Uganda and therefore I recommend tourists to buy a sim card from one of these operators.

However if you are going to Bwindi National Park for the gorilla trekking then I would recommend you buying an Airtel sim card. My friends with Airtel had an ok phone signal, but I had MTN and I could hardly connect. Therefore Airtel is the best sim card for gorilla trekking in Uganda.

Best sim card for Uganda in 2024

After comparing the prepaid sim cards Traveltomtom concludes that the Lycamobile has the cheapest prepaid sim cards in Uganda. For less than $10 USD you get 100 GB data for 1 month.

So why are Lycamobile sim cards not recommended for tourists? The Lycamobile 4G/5G network is limited to Kampala only.

Are eSIMs recommended? Yes!

eSIMs for Uganda operate on the MTN of Airtel mobile data network, but eSIMs are more expensive than buying a prepaid sim card for tourists in Uganda. Yet, eSIMs are so much more convenient!

Avoid all the hassle of buying a prepaid sim card in Uganda, simply get an eSIM for Uganda and be online as soon as the plane lands. The best-buy eSIM for Uganda is from Sim Local with 10 GB data for $32 USD.

SimOptions and Airalo also have plenty of Uganda eSIM offers worth considering.

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The Africell mobile data network is also too small and therefore Africell prepaid sim cards are also not recommended.

In National Parks around Uganda even an MTN signal is sometimes hard to find. From my own experiences and advice from locals Airtel has the strongest network coverage in Uganda.

You can get an Airtel prepaid sim card with 20 GB data for 30 days for around $14 USD.

Therefore Traveltomtom comes to the conclusion that Airtel is the best prepaid sim card in Uganda in 2024.

Best eSIMs for Uganda

The easiest way to stay connected when traveling to Uganda in 2024 is an eSIM. You arrange everything online in just a couple clicks. No more visiting a phone store and swapping physical prepaid sim cards.

You order an eSIM for Uganda on the internet, you receive a QR code, scan it, follow the simple steps and within less than 2 minutes you have a Uganda eSIM installed on your phone.

Upon arrival in Uganda it automatically connects you to an available network and you enjoy data on your phone pretty much when the plane lands.

Sim Local

The best value eSIM for Uganda is from Sim Local as it has the lowest rate with $3.2 USD per Gigabyte.

• 10 GB data for 14 days = $32 USD

Click here to order an eSIM for Uganda via Sim Local.

Airalo

Airalo is a trusted and reliable eSIM provider that offers eSIMs from pretty much every country in the world. Here are the Airalo eSIM plans for Uganda for 2024:

• 1 GB data for 7 days = $7 USD
• 2 GB data for 15 days = $13 USD
• 3 GB data for 30 days = $17.5 USD
• 5 GB data for 30 days = $27 USD
• 10 GB data for 30 days = $49 USD

Click here for more info or to order an eSIM for Uganda via Airalo.

These Uganda eSIMs are from Ugish! and they operate on the 4G/LTE networks of Airtel. The Ugish! eSIMs are data-only and they do not support incoming or outgoing calls/sms. Data is only valid in Uganda.

SimOptions

SimOptions is another reliable eSIM provider and a marketplace for eSIMs. SimOptions lives up to its name and offering more than 10 eSIMs for Uganda.

Traveltomtom has used SimOptions in more than 50 countries around the world and never faced an issue.

Here is a selection of the best ones:

• 1 GB data for 7 days = $4.90 USD
• 3 GB data for 30 days = $13.90 USD
• 5 GB data for 30 days = $21.90 USD
• 10 GB data for 14 days = $39.90 USD

Click here to order an international eSIM for Uganda from SimOptions.

Before ordering an eSIM for Uganda make sure your phone is eSIM compatible otherwise an eSIM won't work on your phone.

Order a prepaid sim card for Uganda online

If your phone is not eSIM compatible you can order an international prepaid sim card for traveling in Uganda. Check out the following.

You order them online and a physical prepaid sim card will be delivered to your home address. You put this sim card in your phone and it automatically connects to an available network upon arrival in Uganda, basically when the plane lands you are instantly online.

SimOptions is the only sim card provider that sells physical prepaid sim cards for Uganda:

• 10 GB data for 14 days = $49.90 USD

Click here for more info or to order an international sim card for Uganda via SimOptions.

Traveltomtom has used this Orange physical prepaid sim cards in the past for traveling to Africa and I was always satisfied. However, nowadays it is no secret that I rather use eSIMs for traveling abroad instead of physical prepaid sim cards.

If your phone is eSIM compatible then here is a last reminder that you can arrange everything online in just a couple clicks. Order an eSIM for Colombia on the internet and arrive prepared. More expensive, but very convenient!

My experience buying a sim card in Uganda

As you have seen I also wrote a blog about buying a sim card at Entebbe Airport however, that is NOT where I bought my sim card for Uganda. The first time I traveled to Uganda I entered Uganda overland from Tanzania.

At the Uganda - Tanzania border of Mutukula there is no kiosk that sells sim cards for tourists. Therefore I had to wait until I got off the bus in Masaka. It was already late, but just before curfew (covid days) I managed to locate an Airtel shop.

After all the official procedures, which took about 20 minutes, the friendly guy told me: sorry, can't activate now, the system is down! Damn! Which meant my sim card was useless and I had to come back the day after.

The next day I woke up early to continue my trip to Mbarara, one of the bigger cities in Uganda. Here I tried again to buy a sim card and this time I went to an official MTN store. I needed to do the whole registration process again and then same problem… system down.

Luckily I was able to have lunch around the corner and an hour later the problem was fixed.

It took a lot of effort but finally I got my Uganda prepaid sim card and I was online. Throughout my Uganda trip I didn't have any issues with my MTN sim card.

However, when traveling in Southern Uganda: Lake Mburo, Lake Bunyonyi and gorilla trekking in Bwindi National Park I found out that my friends who had an Airtel sim card had much better phone signal and faster data speed than me.

Therefore I recommend people traveling to Uganda and trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest to buy an Airtel sim card.

On my last trip to Uganda I got myself a 1 GB data eSIM from Airalo just to get through the first day and be online as soon as the plane lands. The next day I was intended to go to a sim card store, only to arrive at an Airtel shop and saw the massive line of people.

I decided to not put myself through the hassle of buying a prepaid sim card in Uganda this time. Instead I went online and topped up my Airalo eSIM. A little more expensive, but so much easier.

I am sure some of the above tips and tricks about Uganda sim cards were helpful. If you have any questions please leave me a comment below.

Check out my Uganda page for with multiple Uganda travel blogs full of tips and travel inspiration in the lush green little country in East Africa.

Curious about my road to visit every country in the world? Check out my Instagram profile @traveltomtom where you can also find many cool content about Uganda. As of November 2024 I have visited more than 155 countries.

Enjoy your trip to Uganda!