It was inevitable that the on-demand US$ 65B juggernaut that is Uber would finally find its way to the pearl of Africa, also known as Uganda. I received a press release a short while ago on this development. Uber launched this morning in Kampala, Uganda’s largest city and also its capital as city no. 462 where Uber now operates globally.

To celebrate Uber’s launch in Kampala, Uber will be providing free rides for all Ugandans to enjoy in the city of Kampala. Free rides can be accessed on the Uber app between 1pm Thursday 2 June 2016, and midnight on Sunday 5 June 2016. Further details on the free rides are as follows: 

• You must download the Uber application and enter the promo code MoveUganda in order to receive the free rides
• Free rides are available from Thursday, 02 June 2016 at 1:00pm until Sunday, 05 June 2016 at midnight
• Users are limited to a total of 6 free rides and each trip is limited to maximum of USh 20 000 each
• Note that free rides are only valid for trips that start & end in the Kampala in the coverage area.

Alon Lits, General Manager for Uber Sub-Saharan Africa says, “We’re really excited to be launching Uber in Kampala, a world-class African city. We are inspired by the city’s rapidly developing infrastructure and spirit of entrepreneurship and look forward to giving people in the city an affordable, easy and flexible choice to move around the city safely and reliably.”

“At Uber, we are proud to connect millions of global citizens every to affordable and reliable rides. By offering a friendly and reliable complement to existing transport options, we can help improve urban mobility in Kampala. We are mindful of the city’s current traffic congestion, and we aim to be part of the solution in improving it, while creating new, fruitful opportunities for drivers. Ultimately, we hope to reduce the strain on the city’s roads, and minimise the environmental impact of traffic congestion that is part of a growing economy.”  

What remains to be seen is how Uber will impact existing taxis services in Kampala this could lead to lots of issues as was seen in Kenya a few months ago.