Uber Ends Operations in Uganda After Nearly a Decade

Global ride-hailing pioneer Uber has officially ended its operations in Uganda, bringing a sudden close to its decade-long presence in the country’s urban transport sector.

In a statement sent to users and local partners on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, the San Francisco-based tech firm revealed that the exit takes effect immediately following an extensive review of its business priorities across Sub-Saharan Africa.

“We are writing to share some difficult news. After a thorough review of our business, we have made the tough decision to wind down our operations in Uganda, effective September 2, 2026,” the company stated in an official notice to users.

“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.”

The Ugandan exit is part of a broader retreat from select African jurisdictions, with the company simultaneously shuttering operations in Nigeria. The move leaves Uber operating in only four African markets: Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, and South Africa, following its exit from Tanzania in 2022 and Ivory Coast in 2025.

An official spokesperson for the company clarified that the withdrawal is specific to the two nations and reflects a shift toward higher-yielding regions.

“After a thorough review, we have taken the difficult decision to wind down operations in Nigeria and Uganda,” an Uber spokesperson confirmed.

“This decision is limited strictly to these two markets and does not impact our operations across the rest of the continent. Our immediate priority is supporting drivers, riders, and local team members throughout this transition. Uber remains deeply committed to Sub-Saharan Africa, where we continue to see robust growth and long-term opportunity.”

The local withdrawal coincides with a massive global restructuring announced by Uber Chief Executive Officer Dara Khosrowshahi. The tech giant is eliminating roughly 3,300 corporate jobs worldwide, representing about 10 percent of its total workforce, to trim management ranks and cut operating expenses.

In an internal email addressed to staff, Khosrowshahi explained that years of rapid expansion had created structural inefficiencies that slowed corporate execution.

“Years of growth have introduced more layers, more coordination, more fragmented ownership, and in some cases structures that made sense when businesses were smaller but no longer serve us well at our current scale,” Khosrowshahi told employees, adding that the reorganization would “generate savings that we intend to reinvest in growth, innovation, and the capabilities that will matter most over the coming years.”

Addressing overall team operations in the post-pandemic corporate landscape, Khosrowshahi reinforced strict office attendance guidelines alongside the workforce reduction.

“The benefits of working together, collaborating face-to-face, and solving problems as a team in the same room have become even more apparent in our post-Covid world,” Khosrowshahi noted, emphasizing the decision to execute a single, sweeping corporate overhaul rather than piecemeal cuts.

The capital saved from global headcount reductions and operational exits will be redirected toward core ride-sharing technology, delivery services, and autonomous vehicle partnerships, including investments in companies like Avride Inc., Lucid Group, Nuro Inc., and Rivian Automotive.

For thousands of Ugandan drivers and daily commuters across Greater Kampala, the departure marks a major shift in the local mobility market. The void left by Uber is expected to be absorbed by competing ride-hailing platforms such as Faras, Bolt, and SafeBoda, which have maintained strong local footprints.

Uber assured Ugandan users that customer support will remain accessible through the application for 21 days to resolve pending transaction issues, adding that all rider data will be handled strictly in line with data protection laws and company privacy policies.