It’s been two months since the rumours started circulating. Well, you can’t exactly call it a rumour if it was officially announced. Basically, we’ve been expecting this for about two months now, and the wait is over. Uber is launching in Uganda today at 2pm (GMT+3) at the Kampala Serena Hotel in Kampala.
A few weeks ago, we reported that Uber was preparing to launch in Ghana and even had a job opening for an Operations and Logistics Manager. The same applies to Uganda. There’s an opening for the same position in Kampala on their careers list.
Uber operates in over 400 cities in about 60 countries, 6 of which are in Africa – Morocco, Kenya, Nigeria, Egypt, South Africa and most recently, Uganda. They’re obviously growing their base in Africa and there are reports that Uber is moving to Tanzania too. Kampala is the 462nd city in Uber’s global network.
Presently, the public transport system in Uganda is far from convenient. Passengers are exploited on the regular for little changes in weather or routes, and the vehicles are not even in prime condition. Someone already cried out to Uber and they’ve answered.
Kampala, your uberX is arriving now! #MoveUGANDA https://t.co/aBB6eULShT pic.twitter.com/tnlBWojdnQ
— Uber Uganda (@uber_uganda) June 2, 2016
What I’m curious about, and I bet you are too, is how local taxi drivers in Kampala will react to Uber’s entrance into the market. Nigeria has been a pretty smooth country for Uber. South Africa and Kenya, not so much.
Local taxi drivers have gotten in physical fights with Uber drivers in South Africa, and Uber vehicles were set on fire in Kenya. Like they say, only time will tell. I guess we’ll just have to wait and see what the market reception in Uganda will be like.
Uber users in Kampala can pay for their rides with either cash or their VISA cards, although there are reports that soon, users will also be able to pay using mobile money payments.
To celebrate their launch, Uber is giving out free rides in Kampala this weekend. The rides are available from 1pm today, June 2, 2016 till midnight on Sunday, June 5, 2016. If you’re reading this and you’re in Kampala, you should download the Uber app and enter the promo code “moveuganda” or sign up here to get access to 6 free rides this weekend.
