The Entebbe to Kampala drive — the first road section any Uganda self-drive visitor encounters after collecting a hire vehicle at Entebbe International Airport or Entebbe town — covers 37km between Uganda’s international gateway and the country’s capital city and safari circuit hub. The two route options (the Entebbe Expressway toll road, or the old Entebbe Road that runs through the Nateete and Kireka suburbs of Kampala) represent the same journey with fundamentally different experiences: the Entebbe Expressway takes 35 to 45 minutes at any time of day on a smooth 4-lane highway, while the old Entebbe Road in peak hours (particularly the 5pm to 8pm evening rush) takes 90 minutes to 2.5 hours through stop-start suburban traffic with boda bodas threading between vehicles at every junction. For a self-drive visitor arriving tired after an international flight, the Entebbe Expressway is the correct choice without qualification.
Entebbe Expressway: How to Use It
- Location: The Entebbe Expressway toll entry is at Mpala, approximately 7km from Entebbe Airport. Hire vehicle pickup at the airport involves a short 7km drive on the old Entebbe Road before joining the expressway.
- Toll: UGX 4,000 to 5,000 per vehicle (one-way). Cash only at most toll gates — carry Uganda shillings from the airport bureau de change before approaching the toll gate. M-Pesa Uganda mobile money also accepted at most toll booths.
- Journey time: 35 to 45 minutes from the expressway entry to the Kampala Kireka exit (approaching the Jinja Road area of Kampala). Add 15 to 30 minutes for the final approach to a central Kampala hotel depending on hotel location.
Hire Vehicle Collection at Entebbe
- Most Uganda hire companies offer airport collection — the vehicle is delivered to the airport arrivals area or the Entebbe town depot (5km from the airport on the Kampala Road)
- Budget hire companies may require the visitor to take a taxi from the airport to the Kampala depot (25km away on the expressway) for vehicle collection — confirm the collection point at booking
- After collecting the vehicle, the expressway south exit also runs to the Botanical Gardens, Lake Victoria shores, and the Entebbe main town area — if the first night is in Entebbe rather than Kampala, do not take the expressway at all
