“Starting today, we’re bringing uberX to Kampala. Whether you’re heading to Entebbe International Airport, Mandela National Stadium, Acacia Mall or anywhere in between – simply request uberX from your smartphone and enjoy the ride,” Uber announced.

The Uganda launch comes just days after the firm announced it will be launching in Uganda, Ghana and Tanzania.

For those who don’t know about Uber, we help people get a ride at the tap of a button – there’s no flagging your hands to stop a taxi or entering an unfamiliar car. It’s the most convenient way to get a safe, reliable and affordable ride – the app detects your location, tells you about your driver in advance, and you can choose to pay with card or cash so it is easy and safer for both riders and drivers.

To celebrate the Kampala launch, Uber is giving all riders the opportunity to enjoy FOUR DAYS OF FREE RIDES IN KAMPALA  and using  the promo code MOVEUGANDA users can enjoy 6 FREE rides.

The prices in Uganda are sort of affordable. The base fare is USh 1 300 (Ksh 60) plus USh 900 (Ksh 30) per kilometer + USh 200 (Ksh 10) per minute. The minimum fare is USh 5 000 (Ksh 200) and the cancellation Fee: USh 5 000 (Ksh 200).

From Kyambogo University to Mandela National Stadium: USh 7 500 (Ksh 350), from Acacia Mall to Makindye Country Club is USh 13 000 (Ksh 600) and from Entebbe International Airport to Kampala Serena Hotel: USh 90 000 (Ksh 3k).

Yesterday Uber announced it had received $3.5 billion from Public Investment Fund (PIF), Saudi Arabia’s main investment fund bringing to $11 billion all the cash the firm has raised and its value at $62.5 billion. as the firm expands globally. However, it’s expansion has not been without friction as metered taxi drivers have been up in arms against Uber claiming it’s model makes it cheaper for passengers thereby putting them out of work.

In Kenya, authorities had to come in to allow Uber to work alongside traditional taxis but to quell such riots against it Uber launched a Ksh 10b kitty to allow new and existing drivers to take up loans and buy cars to own Uber fleets.