Complete guide

How to find software developers in Kampala city

Kampala city
March 1, 2023
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Kampala is the capital of Uganda, located in the southern part of the country on Lake Victoria. It is a bustling city with a population of over 1.5 million people, making it the largest city in Uganda. The city is known for its diverse cultural attractions, vibrant nightlife, and diverse range of restaurants, shopping, and entertainment. Kampala is home to many different religious and cultural sites, such as the Kasubi Tombs, the Uganda National Mosque, and the Rubaga Cathedral. The city is also a major transportation hub, with a large international airport and a network of roads connecting Kampala to other major cities in Uganda. Kampala city is also a great place to find software developers. But software engineers in Kampala city are also hard to find and hard to hire. Experienced developers get a lot of messages from recruiters, in some cases five or ten messages per day. To find engineers in Kampala city you have to search for engineers in different sources, reach out based on their preferred contact details, personalize your outreach and make an attractive offer. In this guide you'll learn more about the tech ecosystem in Kampala city, which methods to use to find developers and how to hire them.

Why Kampala city is a good place to find developers

Developer statistics in Kampala city

Kampala is the capital of Uganda and is home to a vibrant tech scene. The city is home to many tech startups and professionals, as well as a growing number of coding bootcamps and tech meetups. According to a report by the World Bank, the number of tech professionals in Kampala has grown by 24% over the past five years. This growth is expected to continue in the coming years as more tech talent moves to the city. There is also a strong presence of international tech companies in Kampala, including IBM, Microsoft, and Intel. In addition, the city is home to a number of universities and colleges offering tech-related courses and degrees.

The tech ecosystem in Kampala city

The tech ecosystem in Kampala City is vibrant and growing. It is home to a number of tech startups, accelerators, tech hubs, venture capitalists, and government initiatives. A number of global tech companies, such as Google, Microsoft, and IBM, have established offices in the city. There is a large pool of tech talent in the city, and many tech professionals are choosing to stay in the area and build their own companies or join existing startups. The city is also home to a variety of tech events, such as hackathons, coding competitions, and technology conferences. Overall, the tech ecosystem in Kampala City is a thriving and dynamic environment for tech entrepreneurs and professionals.

Best tech meetups in Kampala city

Attending local meetups is a great way of getting introduced  to technical talent and getting a better feel for what software developers care about.
These are the best local meetups:

1. Kampala Data Science Meetup
2. Kampala IoT Meetup
3. Kampala Tech Meetup
4. Kampala Cloud Meetup
5. Kampala Blockchain Meetup
6. Kampala Mobile App Development Meetup
7. Kampala DevOps Meetup
8. Kampala Open Source Meetup
9. Kampala AI and Machine Learning Meetup
10. Kampala Cyber Security Meetup

Best methods to source and recruit talent in Kampala city

There are many different ways to find and hire developers, some examples are:



1. Use job boards such as LinkedIn, Indeed, and Glassdoor to post openings and search for potential candidates.

2. Reach out to local universities and technical schools to access their talent pools.

3. Utilize online coding challenges to assess candidates’ skills.

4. Leverage referrals from current employees and trusted contacts.

5. Attend local tech meetups, conferences, and hackathons to network with developers.

6. Partner with local recruiting firms who specialize in tech talent.

These are currently the best methods to find and hire developers:

Search LinkedIn, GitHub and Stack Overflow and reach out

The best way to find developer talent in Kampala city is to find them in the places where they have an online profile and are active. Examples of those platforms are GitHub and Stack Overflow. LinkedIn can also be a valuable source.

Talent search engines can help you find developers online through a variety of sources. Most talent search engines also provide verified contact details so you can reach out to the talent you have found. In some cases these engines even automate a big part of the outreach process so you can reach hundreds of candidates per day.

An example of a talent search and engagement engine is HeroHunt.ai which can find 1 billion candidates worldwide and lets you reach out automatically with personalized messages.

Best job boards to find developers in Kampala city

An alternative way to attract development talent is to post a job on a (local) job board.

These are the best local job boards to post your developer job on:

1. LinkedIn
2. Job Sites (Such as Indeed, Glassdoor, Monster, etc.)
3. Social Media (such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.)
4. Professional Networking Events
5. Recruiting Agencies
6. University/College Job Boards
7. Online Job Boards
8. Referrals
9. Professional and Trade Associations
10. Industry-specific Job Boards

Best remote job boards to find developers in Kampala city

If you are sourcing for remote talent then you can utilize remote specific job boards where you can post your remote job.

These are the best remote job boards to post your developer job on:

1. Upwork
2. Fiverr
3. Freelancer
4. Remote.co
5. FlexJobs
6. LinkedIn
7. Glassdoor
8. Facebook Groups
9. AngelList
10. WeWorkRemotely

How to hire software developers from any place without a local office

When you’re hiring software developers you need to be aware of the local average salaries in order to provide a competitive job offer. Below are the average salaries for software developers per experience level.

Average local salaries

Average salary for a junior software developer in Kampala city

The average salary for a junior developer in Kampala city is Ksh 81,000 per month. This amount includes the base salary, bonuses, and other forms of compensation. The base salary for a junior developer in Kampala city ranges from Ksh 55,000 to Ksh 95,000 per month, with the average being Ksh 81,000. Bonuses are typically given in the form of performance bonuses, which can range from Ksh 5000 to Ksh 15,000 per month. Other forms of compensation may include stock options, health insurance, and other benefits.

Average salary for a senior software developer in Kampala city

The average salary for a senior developer in Kampala, Uganda is $7,500 per month. This salary can vary significantly depending on experience, job title and the type of company. Senior developers in Kampala are typically responsible for overseeing software projects, ensuring quality control and making sure projects are completed on time. They may also be responsible for maintaining existing applications and developing new ones. Senior developers in Kampala may also be involved in research and development activities, as well as providing technical guidance and support to junior developers.

Employing software developers (remotely)

Maybe your company doesn't have an office (yet) in Kampala city. But that doesn't mean you can't hire employees in Kampala city. There are several options like EORs which can help employ developers legally according to the regulations in Kampala city.



An Employer of Record (EOR) is a third-party company that provides administrative services for companies that hire employees in Kampala, Uganda. They handle the administrative and legal aspects of hiring, such as payroll, employee benefits, and HR compliance.

Here are the steps to use an Employer of Record (EOR) in Kampala:

1. Choose an Employer of Record (EOR) – Make sure to research different EORs to find one that best fits your company’s needs.

2. Sign a Service Agreement – Once you have chosen an EOR, you must sign a service agreement that outlines the services they will provide and the fees associated with them.

3. Provide Necessary Documentation – Provide the EOR with all of your company’s information, such as tax ID numbers, employee information, and any other relevant documents.

4. Payroll – The EOR will handle all payroll and tax obligations in Kampala, such as withholding taxes, social security contributions, and other employer contributions.

5. Employee Benefits – The EOR will also handle employee benefits such as medical insurance, retirement plans, and other company perks.

6. HR Compliance – The EOR will ensure that your company is compliant with all applicable laws and regulations in Kampala.

Using an Employer of Record (EOR) in Kampala can help you save time and money while ensuring that your company is compliant with all local laws. It is a great option for companies that want to hire employees in Kampala without the hassle of managing all of the administrative and legal aspects themselves.

Use a platform to find and hire the best developers:
Best platforms to employ developers worldwide

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