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Country dialing code · zone 2

Uganda +256

To call Uganda from abroad, dial your exit code (or +), then 256, then the local number without its leading 0. In full: +256 712 345678.

CapitalKampala Dialing zone2 — Africa Local time07:50 UTC+3 Exit code from Uganda00 + carrier code
Quick answer

The country calling code for Uganda is +256. A number starting +256 or 00256 is a call to or from Uganda. From abroad: +256 712 345678.

Country code+256
CapitalKampala
ContinentAfrica
Time zoneAfrica/Kampala
LanguageEnglish (official national language
CurrencyShilling
Emergency999
Exit code00 + carrier code
Trunk prefix0
Population42,723,139

To call Uganda from abroad, dial your exit code (or +), then 256, then the local number without its leading 0. The +256 code identifies the country; the following digits identify the line (landline or mobile).

How to call Uganda from abroad

From the US / Canada011 256 712 345678
From the UK & Europe00 256 712 345678
From Australia0011 256 712 345678
From any mobile+256 712 345678

712 345678 is a real-format Uganda mobile number (example from the ITU-T numbering plan): replace it with the number you were given, without its leading 0.

Uganda area codes

In Uganda, landlines usually include an area code after +256 (without its leading 0). Mobiles have no area code.

Number format

Landline, written locally031 2345678from abroad+256 31 2345678
Mobile, written locally0712 345678from abroad+256 712 345678

Landline numbers in Uganda have 9 digits after the country code; mobile numbers have 9 digits and start with 7. The national prefix 0 is only dialled inside the country — drop it after +256.

Calling abroad from Uganda

To call another country from Uganda, dial the exit code 00 + carrier code (or + on a mobile), then the country code, then the number. From Uganda to the United States, for example: + 1 201 555 0123.

A Uganda number in international format is written +256 …. The + stands for the exit prefix (00 in much of the world, 011 in North America). Switching to international format, drop the leading 0.

Cheapest ways to call Uganda

With internet on both ends, apps like WhatsApp, Signal or FaceTime call Uganda for free. To reach a number without an app, VoIP services are usually cheaper than your operator’s international rate.

Frequently asked questions

What country has the code +256?

Uganda has the country calling code +256.

How do I call Uganda from the United States?

Dial 011, then 256, then the local number without its leading 0 — for example 011 712 345678.

What does +256 mean?

It is the international dialing code for Uganda. The + stands for your exit code (00 in much of the world, 011 in North America).

Is +256 mobile or landline?

The +256 code identifies the country, not the line type; Uganda landlines and mobiles share it.

A country code covers a whole nation; the full number depends on the city and operator.

Mobile networks in Uganda

5 mobile network operators run their own networks in Uganda. The largest is MTN Uganda, with about 10.2 million subscribers (September 2014). Pick the one with the best coverage where you will spend most of your time.

MTN Uganda5G4G3G2G
10.2 M subscribers · September 2014

Owned by MTN Group (96%)

Airtel Uganda5G3G2G
4.60 M subscribers · April 2013

Owned by Bharti Airtel

UTel
1.00 M subscribers · July 2016

Owned by Uganda Telecommunications Corporation Limited

Smile Telecom

Uganda

Lycamobile
Before you travel
  • 4G/5G frequency bands used in Uganda: 5G, LTE 2600. Most recent smartphones cover them; older or regional models may miss some.

Also available: virtual operators (MVNOs) that rent capacity on these networks — K2.

Operators, subscriber counts, network codes and switch-off dates: Wikipedia (lists of mobile network operators, mobile network codes, 2G/3G phase-out, mobile number portability), licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Figures come from each operator or regulator at the date shown.

Staying connected in Uganda

Mobile subscriptions83 per 100 people2024
Internet users9 % of population2024
Fixed lines0.4 per 100 people2024

With 83 mobile subscriptions per 100 people, mobile coverage in Uganda is not universal — keep a landline number as a backup when you can. Only 9 % of people use the internet, so a plain phone call may reach more people than an app.

Source: World Bank / ITU World Telecommunication indicators (IT.CEL.SETS.P2, IT.NET.USER.ZS, IT.MLT.MAIN.P2), latest available year.

Free and premium numbers in Uganda

Toll-free+256 800 123456

Free from inside Uganda (numbers starting with 8001–8003). From abroad these numbers are often unreachable or charged at the international rate.

Premium rate+256 901 123456

Surcharged services — ranges starting with 901–903. Do not call back an unknown missed call from such a range: the cost is far above a normal call.

Number ranges: ITU-T national numbering plan for Uganda via Google libphonenumber.

Neighbouring countries

Tanzania +255Kenya +254South Sudan +211Democratic Republic of the Congo +243Rwanda +250

All countries in zone 2 — Africa