Uber exits Uganda after a decade in Kampala

September 2, 2026 in Business, Companies by Editor

Uber is exiting Uganda after 10 years of operations, shutting down its ride-hailing service from September 2 as the global company reviews its business priorities and investment strategy.

Ride-hailing giant Uber is leaving Uganda, ending a decade of operations in the country as part of a wider review of its business priorities.

Uber said it will wind down its Ugandan operations effective September 2, 2026, bringing to a close a service that has connected millions of rides between passengers and independent drivers since its launch in Kampala in 2016.

In a message to customers, the company said the decision followed “a thorough review of our business” and apologised for the disruption the exit could cause to riders.

“Since we first launched in Kampala in 2016, it has been an absolute privilege to be a part of your daily life connecting you with independent transportation providers,” Uber said.

The company said its Help Centre will remain available until September 24 to handle final account queries.

Uber’s withdrawal comes alongside its exit from Nigeria, with the two markets being closed as the company reassesses where to deploy its investments. Reports citing the company say the decision is limited to Uganda and Nigeria and does not represent a withdrawal from the wider Sub-Saharan African market.

The Ugandan exit also comes as Uber undertakes a major global restructuring. The company announced on Wednesday that it would cut about 3,300 jobs, or 10pc of its workforce, while simplifying its organisational structure and redirecting investment towards its biggest growth opportunities.

For Uganda’s urban transport market, Uber’s departure leaves space for rival ride-hailing platforms to capture drivers and customers who have become accustomed to app-based mobility.

The company did not give a specific reason for ending its Ugandan operations beyond its review of business priorities and investment focus.

After entering Kampala in 2016, Uber helped accelerate the shift from conventional taxi-hailing towards digitally mediated transport, offering passengers app-based booking, driver identification and cashless payment options.

Its exit therefore marks the end of one of the most prominent international technology platforms in Uganda’s urban mobility market.