The month in detail
What to expect in January
January is peak dry season in Kampala. The air is warm and humidity more bearable than in the rainy season. Rain risk remains low (15% of days), leaving good room for outdoor activities. A good balance between weather and crowds, even if February (8.5/10) remains theoretically better.
January ranks 3 out of 12 months in Kampala. Compared to December: 11 pts fewer rainy days, +1.0h of sun per day.
This month's conditions
What it's like in January
UV index
8 · very high
protection essential
Feels like
muggy at times
16°
Daylight
12.0h of daylight
Air quality
poor
AQI 70
Compare
Is January the right month?
The best month in Kampala is February (8.5/10), 0.2 pt higher than January.
Book
Plan your trip
Hotels at their lowest outside peak season, highest on comfortable months. Shoulder seasons offer a good price/climate compromise.
Stay
Hotels & rentals · Kampala
Expedia →
Activities
Tours, tickets, experiences
See ↓
Flights
Multi-airline comparator
Kiwi →
🎟️ Activities & tours · Kampala
GetYourGuide selection · free cancellation
Practical info
What you need to know before you go
Three angles: the country (language, currency, safety, budget), the year-round climate, and the specifics of a tropical stay.
Country · Uganda
🗣️LanguageEnglish
💶CurrencyShilling ougandais (USh)
🚗DrivingLeft-hand
🛡️Safety ⓘVery safe · 1/5
💰Cost of living ⓘVery cheap · 1/5
🌡️ Climate
🌍Climate typeEquatorial tropical
📈Climate trend ⓘ+0.86°C/decade
🔥Hottest monthFebruary · 28°C
❄️Coolest monthApril · 25°C
🌧️Rainiest month ⓘApril · 41%
🏝️ Tropical stay
🌞Dry season ⓘMay → Sep
🌧️Wet season ⓘDec → Mar
🌀Cyclones ⓘNone (equator)
Explore
Other destinations in January
If January doesn't convince you for this destination, compare with others.
Location
Where is Kampala ?
Global position + regional geographic context.
🌍 World
🔍 Geographic context
UgandaEquatorial tropical climate with a 8.5 → 7.3 gap between best and worst month. 10 years of ERA5 data to choose by project.
0.35°N · 32.58°E
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What is the best time to visit Kampala?
February is the best month with 28.0°C highs, 18.0°C lows, 6.0h of sunshine and 19.0% rainy days. The months of February & January offer comparable conditions.
How many hours of sunshine does Kampala get in February?
Kampala averages 6.0 sunshine hours per day in February. It is the sunniest month with a climate score of 8.0/10.
What is the rainiest month in Kampala?
April is the most unfavourable month with April has the lowest climate score of the year and the lowest climate score of the year.
What are the temperatures at night in Kampala in February?
In February, overnight lows reach 18.0°C, while afternoon highs average 28.0°C.
Is Kampala good in winter?
In winter (December-February), Kampala scores 7.8/10 on average — Decent period conditions for cultural visits.. The best month overall remains February with a score of 8.0/10.
When should you avoid Kampala?
April is the most difficult month to visit Kampala, with April has the lowest climate score of the year. Climate conditions are at their lowest of the year during this period.
Do you need sun protection in Kampala in January?
The average UV index reaches 8 in January in Kampala (very high), with about 12.0h of daylight. Protection essential.