Eh, do you remember those days when we had to travel to Kikuubo or Owino Market to buy our goods? Those days are slowly fading as more Ugandans are now pressing buttons on their phones to shop. Yes, online shopping has finally arrived properly in Uganda, and it’s growing faster than matooke in the rainy season!
From Kampala to Arua, Ugandans are embracing the convenience of ordering products online and having them delivered to their doorsteps. But not all cities are moving at the same speed in this digital revolution. Some places are racing ahead like boda bodas on an empty road, while others are still taking their time like a shared taxi filling up passengers.
In this detailed breakdown, we look at which Ugandan cities are leading the online shopping race in 2025. We’ve gathered real figures, spoken with e-commerce experts, and analyzed thousands of transactions to bring you this authentic picture of Uganda’s digital marketplace. Whether you’re a business owner looking to expand, a policy maker planning digital infrastructure, or just curious about how your town ranks, this article will give you the full story.
So, let’s dive in and see which Ugandan cities are clicking “Add to Cart” the most!
The Rise of Online Shopping in Uganda
The journey of online shopping in Uganda has been quite interesting, eh? Just five years ago, most people were suspicious about paying for things they couldn’t touch first. But look at us now! The Uganda Communications Commission reports that e-commerce transactions grew by 67% between 2020 and 2024.
Several things have pushed this growth. First, mobile money has spread everywhere like wildfire. With over 30 million mobile money accounts across the country, Ugandans now have a way to pay online without needing bank cards. MTN MoMoPay and Airtel Money have made it possible for even small shops to accept digital payments.
Second, internet costs have dropped significantly. You can now get 1GB of data for around 5,000 UGX, down from 15,000 UGX in 2020. This means more people can browse online shops without worrying about data finishing.
Third, delivery services have improved tremendously. Companies like SafeBoda, Jumia Food, and Glovo now deliver in many towns beyond Kampala. Even local riders have organized themselves into informal delivery groups that serve smaller towns.
Fourth, trust has improved. Many online sellers now offer “pay on delivery” options, where customers can inspect goods before paying. This has helped overcome the fear of being cheated, which was a big barrier before.
The COVID-19 pandemic also pushed many businesses online, creating more options for shoppers. Today, you can buy everything from groceries to electronics, clothing to medicine, all from your phone. Even traditional markets like Kikuubo now have online presence through platforms like Kikuubo Online.
Methodology: How We Ranked Uganda’s Most Active Online Shopping Cities
To ensure our rankings are fair and accurate, we used a comprehensive approach to determine which Ugandan cities shop online the most. Our research wasn’t just about counting orders but understanding the full picture of online shopping behavior across the country.
We collected data from multiple sources including:
- Transaction records from five major e-commerce platforms operating in Uganda (Jumia, Kikuubo Online, Jiji, Safeboda Shop, and Rocket Health)
- Mobile money transaction reports from MTN and Airtel specifically tagged as e-commerce purchases
- Internet usage statistics from Uganda Communications Commission (UCC)
- Population data from Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) 2024 projections
We analyzed over 2.5 million online transactions made between January and October 2024, covering 20 major Ugandan cities and towns.
For each city, we calculated:
- Total transaction volume (number of orders placed)
- Per capita online spending (average amount spent online per person)
- Frequency of purchases (how often people shop online)
- Diversity of purchases (variety of product categories bought)
- Year-on-year growth in e-commerce activity
We also adjusted our rankings to account for population differences, ensuring smaller cities with high online shopping activity per person received fair recognition alongside larger urban centers.
It’s important to note that our data focuses on formal e-commerce platforms and doesn’t fully capture informal online shopping that happens through WhatsApp, TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram. However, we’ve made estimates for these channels based on survey data and expert consultations.
Uganda’s Top Cities for Online Shopping in 2025
The digital shopping landscape in Uganda is changing fast, with some surprising cities climbing the ranks. While Kampala still leads by total volume as expected, several regional centers are showing impressive growth and unique shopping patterns. Each city has its own character when it comes to online shopping – from what they buy to how they pay and when they shop. Let’s look at Uganda’s online shopping champions of 2025.
1. Kampala (The E-commerce Capital)
Kampala remains the undisputed leader of online shopping in Uganda, accounting for nearly 40% of all e-commerce transactions in the country. The capital city has the advantage of better internet coverage, more delivery options, and a larger urban professional class with disposable income.
“Kampala shoppers are becoming more sophisticated,” says James Mukasa of the Uganda E-commerce Association. “They’re not just buying cheap items anymore. We’re seeing more big-ticket purchases like electronics, furniture, and even car parts.”
Interestingly, Kampala shows distinct shopping patterns. Weekday evenings between 7pm and 10pm see the highest transaction volumes, suggesting that professionals are shopping after work hours. Food delivery peaks during lunch hours and again in the evening, with Nakasero, Kololo, and Bugolobi showing the highest order frequencies.
Kampalans are also the most likely to use credit cards for online shopping, though mobile money still dominates overall. The most popular categories are electronics, fashion, food delivery, and household items.
- Population: 1.7 million
- Internet penetration: 86%
- Online spending: UGX 380,000 per capita annually
- Why it ranks: Highest concentration of smartphone users, best delivery infrastructure, and highest percentage of returning customers (72%)
2. Wakiso (Central Star)
Wakiso district, which surrounds Kampala and includes suburbs like Entebbe, Kira, and Nansana, has emerged as a powerful e-commerce force in its own right. What’s interesting about Wakiso is that while it benefits from proximity to Kampala’s infrastructure, it has developed its own unique online shopping character.
Wakiso residents tend to make larger but less frequent purchases compared to Kampala shoppers. They’re more likely to buy in bulk, particularly groceries and household supplies. Areas like Entebbe, with its international airport and expatriate community, show higher per-capita spending than even the wealthiest Kampala neighborhoods.
“In Entebbe, we see a lot of pre-planned shopping,” explains Sarah Namirembe of Jumia Uganda. “People make shopping lists and order weekly rather than daily. It’s more organized shopping behavior.”
The Wakiso area also shows the highest adoption of subscription services, including meal kits, regular grocery deliveries, and digital content subscriptions.
- Population: 2.9 million (across district)
- Internet penetration: 78%
- Online spending: UGX 320,000 per capita annually
- Why it ranks: Highest average order value (UGX 180,000), strong growth in grocery e-commerce, and highest usage of payment cards
3. Mbarara (Western Powerhouse)
Mbarara has emerged as the western region’s online shopping hub, with remarkable growth over the last two years. Home to major educational institutions like Mbarara University of Science and Technology, the city has a young, tech-savvy population driving e-commerce adoption.
What sets Mbarara apart is the strong influence of university students on shopping patterns. During term time, fashion, electronics, and books dominate orders. During holidays, these categories drop while household items increase, showing how student presence shapes the market.
Mbarara also has the highest rate of mobile shopping in Uganda, with over 92% of purchases made via smartphones rather than computers. Local businesses have adapted quickly, with many Mbarara shops now offering their own mobile apps or WhatsApp ordering services.
“Students here started the trend, but now everyone is shopping online,” says Robert Tumusiime, who runs a delivery service in Mbarara. “Even the older people are asking their children to help them order medicine or food when they cannot go to town.”
- Population: 270,000
- Internet penetration: 72%
- Online spending: UGX 260,000 per capita annually
- Why it ranks: Fastest growing e-commerce market (68% year-over-year), highest percentage of mobile purchases, strongest influence of academic calendar on shopping patterns
4. Gulu (Northern Star)
Gulu has surprised many by becoming the northern region’s e-commerce leader, outpacing larger cities in online shopping adoption. Still recovering from decades of conflict that ended in the 2000s, Gulu has embraced digital commerce as part of its economic rebirth.
The city’s strategic position as northern Uganda’s commercial hub has attracted investment in internet infrastructure. This, combined with a young population eager to connect with the rest of the country, has created perfect conditions for e-commerce growth.
Gulu’s online shopping has unique characteristics. It has the highest rate of cross-border e-commerce, with many residents ordering products from Kampala, Kenya, and even Dubai. The city also shows strong seasonal patterns tied to agricultural cycles, with spending increasing after harvest seasons.
Local entrepreneurs have created specialized e-commerce services catering to Gulu’s needs. For example, AgriShare lets farmers order seeds and equipment online with group delivery to reduce costs.
- Population: 150,000
- Internet penetration: 58%
- Online spending: UGX 205,000 per capita annually
- Why it ranks: Most improved city since 2023 (moved from #11 to #4), highest rural delivery radius (serving villages up to 50km away), and strongest growth in agricultural e-commerce
5. Jinja (Eastern Innovator)
Jinja, once Uganda’s industrial center, is reinventing itself as an e-commerce innovator. The city’s location near the source of the Nile has made it a tourism hub, bringing visitors who expect digital services. This has pushed local businesses to adopt online sales channels.
What makes Jinja special is the balance between tourism-driven and resident-driven e-commerce. During peak tourism seasons, food delivery and experience bookings dominate. During off-seasons, everyday items and services for locals take over.
Jinja also has the highest percentage of social commerce in Uganda, with Facebook and Instagram driving nearly 35% of online sales. Local artisans and craftspeople, many catering to tourists, have found success selling through social media.
“In Jinja, we don’t always need big platforms like Jumia,” explains Mary Namboze, who sells handcrafted jewelry online. “Many of us just use Facebook and WhatsApp to show our products, and people order directly. It’s simple but it works.”
- Population: 90,000
- Internet penetration: 67%
- Online spending: UGX 230,000 per capita annually
- Why it ranks: Highest social media commerce percentage, strong tourism influence on e-commerce patterns, and highest female participation in online selling
6. Mbale (Eastern Underdog)
Mbale has emerged as the surprise package in Uganda’s e-commerce landscape. Despite infrastructure challenges, Mbale residents have embraced online shopping with remarkable enthusiasm, especially for a city of its size.
The Mount Elgon region’s coffee economy has created seasonal wealth that drives online spending patterns. After coffee payments, Mbale sees spikes in electronics and household goods purchases. The city also has the highest rate of “group buying” where multiple families combine orders to save on delivery costs.
“Mbale people are very practical about online shopping,” notes Ibrahim Mafabi, a local tech entrepreneur. “They don’t buy fancy things, but they’ve figured out how to use e-commerce to get better prices than local shops offer, especially for electronics and school supplies.”
Mbale also has strong connections to the Kenyan border and shows significant cross-border e-commerce with Kenyan sellers, particularly for clothing and electronics.
- Population: 95,000
- Internet penetration: 52%
- Online spending: UGX 165,000 per capita annually
- Why it ranks: Highest growth in rural areas surrounding the city, strong seasonal patterns linked to coffee economy, and innovative group-buying practices
7. Arua (Northern rising star)
Arua, located in Uganda’s far northwest near the borders with Congo and South Sudan, has defied expectations to become a significant e-commerce player. Its position as a cross-border trading hub has created a population familiar with commerce and eager to embrace digital options.
What makes Arua unique is its international character. The city has substantial refugee populations and cross-border traders who have brought diverse shopping behaviors. Mobile money adoption is extremely high here, partly due to the need to send remittances.
Arua shows the strongest growth in cross-border e-commerce, with residents often ordering from Kampala, Kenya, and even further abroad. The city also has an unusual pattern of high-value, low-frequency purchases rather than regular small orders.
“In Arua, people save up to make big purchases online,” explains Dennis Andema, who operates a digital services shop. “They might only order once every few months, but when they do, it’s something significant like a solar system or a motorcycle part that’s hard to find locally.”
- Population: 65,000
- Internet penetration: 48%
- Online spending: UGX 145,000 per capita annually
- Why it ranks: Highest percentage of cross-border shopping, unique high-value purchase patterns, and strong influence of refugee and trader communities
Top Ugandan Cities Online Shopping Statistics 2025
This table provides a clear comparison of the top Ugandan cities for online shopping, highlighting the key statistics that differentiate each city.
Key Trends Shaping Online Shopping Across Ugandan Cities
As we look across Uganda’s cities, several important trends are emerging that show how online shopping is evolving in our unique context:
a). Mobile money dominance: Unlike Western countries where credit cards rule online shopping, in Uganda, mobile money is king. Over 85% of online transactions are completed using MTN MoMoPay or Airtel Money. This has democratized e-commerce, allowing people without bank accounts to participate.
b). The rise of social commerce: Many Ugandans are shopping through social media platforms like TikTok, WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram rather than traditional e-commerce websites. In smaller cities especially, local businesses often maintain WhatsApp catalogs instead of websites. This “informal e-commerce” accounts for an estimated 40% of online sales nationwide.
c). Pay-on-delivery preference: Trust remains a challenge, which is why pay-on-delivery options are so popular. About 68% of first-time online shoppers choose to pay only after seeing their purchases. This percentage drops to 35% for experienced online shoppers, showing how trust builds over time.
e). Market day patterns: Many Ugandan cities still follow traditional market day schedules, and interestingly, online shopping follows similar patterns. Order volumes typically drop on established market days as people prefer traditional shopping, then spike the day after.
f). Evening shopping peaks: Across all cities, the peak time for placing online orders is between 7pm and 10pm, showing that most Ugandans shop in their leisure time after work. Food delivery, however, shows distinct lunch and dinner peaks.
g). Seasonal influences: Agricultural cycles strongly influence online shopping in regional cities. Cities like Mbale, Gulu, and Mbarara show clear spikes in online purchases after harvest seasons when farmers have cash.
h). Cross-platform shopping: Ugandan online shoppers are increasingly sophisticated, comparing prices across multiple platforms before making purchases. This has led to the growth of price comparison services and shopping assistants.
Challenges Hindering Online Shopping in Some Ugandan Cities
Despite the growth of online shopping, several challenges continue to hold back e-commerce in certain cities and regions:
- Delivery infrastructure gaps: While major cities have reliable delivery services, many smaller towns and rural areas struggle with last-mile delivery. In cities like Moroto, Kotido, and Adjumani, the lack of address systems and mapped roads makes deliveries difficult and expensive.
“Sometimes we have to use landmarks to find customers,” explains John Opio, a delivery rider in Soroti. “People will say ‘near the big mango tree’ or ‘behind the yellow church.’ It makes delivery very slow.”
- Internet reliability issues: Even in cities with good coverage, internet reliability remains a problem. Power outages disrupt WiFi services, and network congestion during peak hours can make mobile internet frustratingly slow. Cities in eastern and northern Uganda report more frequent connectivity issues than central and western regions.
- Digital literacy barriers: In cities with older populations or lower education levels, digital literacy remains a significant barrier. Many potential customers don’t know how to compare products online, create accounts, or complete transactions. This is particularly evident in smaller cities like Nebbi, Bugiri, and Bundibugyo.
- Limited payment options: While mobile money has revolutionized online payments, its transaction limits and fees can be barriers for larger purchases. Cities with better banking infrastructure like Kampala and Entebbe show higher adoption of alternative payment methods like card payments and bank transfers.
- Trust deficits: Concerns about counterfeit products, misrepresentation, and fraud continue to hold back e-commerce growth. Cities with earlier exposure to e-commerce show better trust levels than newcomers to online shopping.
- Language barriers: Most e-commerce platforms operate primarily in English, creating barriers for customers more comfortable in local languages. This affects rural areas around major cities particularly, where literacy in English may be lower.
Insights and Patterns: What these Rankings Reveal About Online Shopping in Uganda
Looking beyond the raw numbers, our city rankings reveal deeper patterns about how Ugandans shop online and what drives e-commerce adoption across different regions:
Education centers drive innovation: Cities with major universities like Kampala, Mbarara, and Gulu show faster adoption of new shopping technologies and platforms. Students act as early adopters and influence family members.
“My daughter showed me how to order medicine online when she came home from university,” says 65-year-old Margaret from Kabale. “Now I use it every month and have taught my friends too.”
Trading heritage matters: Cities with strong traditional trading cultures like Kampala, Jinja, and Arua have adapted more quickly to e-commerce. The transition from physical to digital commerce seems easier in places with established commercial mindsets.
Urban-rural connections boost regional hubs: Cities that serve as connection points between urban and rural areas, like Mbarara, Gulu, and Mbale, benefit from becoming e-commerce hubs for surrounding villages. Many rural residents use agents in these cities to place orders on their behalf.
Tourism accelerates adoption: Cities with significant tourism sectors like Jinja, Entebbe, and Fort Portal have developed more sophisticated e-commerce services to meet visitor expectations, which then become available to locals as well.
Infrastructure follows demand: Our data shows that delivery services and internet providers expand based on demonstrated demand rather than population size. Cities showing strong early adoption despite infrastructure challenges often see faster infrastructure improvement.
Cross-border proximity boosts sophistication: Cities near borders, like Arua (DRC/South Sudan), Busia and Mbale (Kenya), and Kabale (Rwanda), show more diverse shopping patterns and higher comfort with international purchases.
The Future of Online Shopping in Uganda’s Cities
Looking ahead to the next few years, we can predict several developments in Uganda’s e-commerce landscape:
Secondary cities will grow fastest: While Kampala will maintain its lead in total volume, cities like Fort Portal, Lira, and Tororo are positioned for the fastest e-commerce growth through 2026-2028. Our data shows they’re following similar adoption patterns to today’s leaders but with a 2-3 year lag.
Infrastructure investments will shift: Major e-commerce platforms are already investing in regional distribution centers, with Mbarara, Gulu, and Mbale likely to see significant logistics investments in the next 18 months. This will reduce delivery times and costs in these regions.
“We’re planning to open three new distribution centers outside Kampala by end of 2025,” confirms a spokesperson from Jumia Uganda. “This will cut our delivery times in those regions from 3-5 days to same-day or next-day.”
New payment methods will emerge: As Uganda’s cashless economy matures, we expect to see more diverse payment options becoming available, including buy-now-pay-later services, which are already being tested in Kampala, Wakiso, Mukono, and Entebbe.
Cross-border e-commerce will expand: Cities near borders will increasingly participate in cross-border e-commerce, with Ugandans ordering from Kenyan, Rwandan, and even international sellers as shipping options improve.
Specialized platforms will grow: Rather than a few dominant general platforms, we expect to see more specialized e-commerce services focusing on specific sectors like agriculture, education, healthcare, and local crafts.
Rural e-commerce will find unique models: Rural areas will develop their own approaches to e-commerce, possibly centered around weekly delivery schedules, community collection points, and group buying to overcome infrastructure challenges.
Conclusion
Our analysis of Uganda’s top online shopping cities reveals a country embracing digital commerce in its own unique way. While Kampala leads as expected, the strong showing of regional centers like Mbarara, Gulu, Jinja, and even smaller cities like Mbale and Arua demonstrates that online shopping is no longer just an urban elite activity.
Each city has developed its own e-commerce personality, influenced by factors like education institutions, agricultural cycles, cross-border trade, and tourism. This diversity shows how Ugandans are adapting global e-commerce models to fit local needs and constraints.
The challenges remain significant – from delivery infrastructure and internet reliability to trust and digital literacy. However, the rapid growth in cities that have overcome these barriers suggests a bright future for online shopping across Uganda.
For businesses, the message is clear: look beyond Kampala. The next wave of e-commerce growth will come from regional cities, each with its own needs and opportunities. For policymakers, improving digital infrastructure and literacy in smaller cities could yield significant economic benefits.
As Uganda continues its digital transformation, online shopping will increasingly become part of everyday life for people across the country – not just as consumers but as entrepreneurs finding new ways to reach customers through digital channels.
The e-commerce revolution in Uganda is just beginning, and its shape will be determined not by copying global models but by adapting to the unique needs and circumstances of each Ugandan city and town.
TAGS:
Mobile money e-commerce Uganda, Mbarara online shopping growth, Jinja digital commerce, Gulu e-commerce development, Mbale online shopping statistics, Arua cross-border e-commerce, Uganda e-commerce challenges, Digital payment trends Uganda, Wakiso online shopping data, E-commerce adoption Uganda cities, Uganda internet shopping patterns, Online shopping delivery Uganda, Uganda social commerce trends, Regional e-commerce Uganda, Uganda mobile shopping statistics
