Key Facts: Uganda Wages
- Country
- Uganda (UGA)
- Continent
- Africa
- Currency
- Ugandan Shilling (UGX)
- Minimum Wage
- UGX750 /hr ($0.21 USD)
- Average Gross Monthly Salary
- UGX1,500,000 /month
- Average Gross Annual Salary
- UGX18,000,000 /year
- Median Individual Income
- UGX3,600,000 /year
- Standard Work Week
- 48 hours
- Data Source
- Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development — Uganda
- Last Updated
- 2026-02-25
Uganda — Average Salary & Wages
Ugandan Shilling (UGX) Data verified Jan 2026 Sources
The average salary in Uganda is
UGX18,000,000 a year
But half of all workers earn less than UGX3,600,000 .
The average is lifted by bonuses and high earners. Most workers earn less than that.
The minimum wage in Uganda is UGX750/hr ($0.21 USD) as of 2026. The average gross monthly salary is UGX1,500,000 ($424.33 USD). The median monthly income is UGX300,000 ($84.87 USD).
Rough estimates. Median individual income approximately UGX 300,000/month. Subsistence agriculture dominates livelihoods for most of the population.
Estimated average for formal sector employees. The formal sector is very small (~15% of employment). Most Ugandans work in subsistence agriculture or the informal sector at much lower effective incomes. Urban workers in Kampala earn significantly more than rural workers.
Minimum Wage Trend
Compare Uganda with other countries• PPP ADJUSTED
In Uganda, the minimum wage has the purchasing power of $0.60/hr in the United States, adjusted for local cost of living using the World Bank PPP conversion factor.
In Context
At minimum wage, a full-time worker in Uganda earns UGX130,000/mo. That is 9% of the average gross salary.
- Monthly (full-time)
- UGX130,000 at min. wage
- Share of avg. salary
- 9% gross, before tax
- USD equivalent
- $36.78/mo monthly
Wage Breakdown
- Hourly
- UGX750
- Monthly
- UGX130,000
- Annual
- UGX1,560,00012 monthly payments
Uganda's minimum wage was last set in 1984 at UGX 6,000/month, equivalent to approximately UGX 130,000 in current terms after denomination changes. This rate has not been officially reviewed or updated since then, making it effectively obsolete. At current exchange rates, UGX 130,000 is approximately USD 37 — far below any reasonable living standard. Several proposed Minimum Wages Bills (2015, 2019) have stalled in parliament. Most formal employers pay significantly above this rate due to market conditions. The Minimum Wages Advisory Board has proposed a new minimum of UGX 300,000-400,000/month.
Work Week
- Standard
- 48 hrs/wk
- Maximum
- 48 hrs/wk
- Overtime
- 1.5x pay
Employment Act 2006 sets maximum working hours at 48 per week. Overtime is paid at 1.5x for regular days and 2x for public holidays and rest days.
How Uganda Compares
| Metric | Uganda | Africa Avg. | Africa Highest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Min. wage (USD equiv.) | $0.21/hr | $0.91/hr | $6.06/hr (Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha) |
| Avg. salary (USD equiv.) | $424.33/mo | $381.53/mo | $1,625/mo (Mauritania) |
Countries with Similar Minimum Wages
| Country | Min. Wage /hr (USD) |
|---|---|
| Kyrgyzstan | $0.20 |
| Ghana | $0.18 |
| Angola | $0.18 |
| Nigeria | $0.26 |
| Madagascar | $0.27 |
| Uganda | $0.21 |
Related Wage Comparisons
• NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES
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Burundi Cost of Living
Wages tell half the story. See purchasing power, prices, and quality-of-life context for Uganda on our sister site.
Cost of living in Uganda on costofliving.is →Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum wage in Uganda?
The minimum wage in Uganda is UGX750/hr (approximately $0.21 USD), effective since 1984-01-01. Uganda's minimum wage was last set in 1984 at UGX 6,000/month, equivalent to approximately UGX 130,000 in current terms after denomination changes. This rate has not been officially reviewed or updated since then, making it effectively obsolete. At current exchange rates, UGX 130,000 is approximately USD 37 — far below any reasonable living standard. Several proposed Minimum Wages Bills (2015, 2019) have stalled in parliament. Most formal employers pay significantly above this rate due to market conditions. The Minimum Wages Advisory Board has proposed a new minimum of UGX 300,000-400,000/month.
What is the average salary in Uganda?
The average gross monthly salary in Uganda is UGX1,500,000 (approximately $424.33 USD). Estimated average for formal sector employees. The formal sector is very small (~15% of employment). Most Ugandans work in subsistence agriculture or the informal sector at much lower effective incomes. Urban workers in Kampala earn significantly more than rural workers. Source: Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) (2024).
How many hours is the standard work week in Uganda?
The standard work week in Uganda is 48 hours, with a legal maximum of 48 hours. Overtime is paid at 1.5x the normal rate. Employment Act 2006 sets maximum working hours at 48 per week. Overtime is paid at 1.5x for regular days and 2x for public holidays and rest days.
What is the minimum wage in Uganda in USD?
The minimum wage in Uganda converts to approximately $0.21/hr in US dollars, based on current exchange rates. Actual purchasing power may differ due to local cost of living.
What is the average salary in Uganda in USD?
The average gross monthly salary in Uganda is approximately $424.33 per month in US dollars, based on current exchange rates. Actual purchasing power may differ due to local cost of living.
How does Uganda's minimum wage compare to the Africa average?
Uganda's minimum wage ranks #29 out of 33 countries with statutory minimum wages in Africa, placing it below the median for Africa.
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