How To Call Uganda From USA: Updated For 2025
Quick Answer
To call Uganda from the United States:
- Landline:
011 + 256 + Area Code (e.g., 414) + Local Number (6 digits) - Mobile:
011 + 256 + Mobile Prefix (e.g., 772) + Subscriber Number (6 digits)
Examples:
- For a Kampala landline (Area Code 414):
011 + 256 + 414 + XXX XXX - For an MTN mobile phone (e.g., Prefix 772):
011 + 256 + 772 + XXX XXX
Uganda is on East Africa Time (EAT, UTC+3). It is 7 hours ahead of US EDT and 8 hours ahead of US EST.
How to Dial Uganda from the US
How to Call a Landline in Uganda
To call a Ugandan landline from the United States, follow these steps:
- Step 1 – Dial the US exit code: Start by dialing
011. - Step 2 – Dial Uganda's country code: Next, key in
256. - Step 3 – Dial the Ugandan Area Code (National Destination Code - NDC): Ugandan area codes are typically 3 digits for major regions (e.g.,
414for Kampala). You do NOT dial the leading0sometimes seen in local Ugandan numbers. - Step 4 – Dial the local phone number: Dial the 6-digit local number. The total number of digits after the country code (Area Code + Local Number) is 9.
For example:
- To call a Kampala number that is locally
(0414) XXX XXX, you would dial:011 256 414 XXX XXX - To call a Jinja number (Area Code 434) that is locally
(0434) XXX XXX, you would dial:011 256 434 XXX XXX
How to Call a Mobile Phone in Uganda
Calling a Ugandan mobile phone from the US involves these steps:
- Step 1 – Dial the US exit code: Start by dialing
011. - Step 2 – Dial Uganda's country code: Next, key in
256. - Step 3 – Dial the Ugandan mobile prefix (NDC) and number: Ugandan mobile numbers consist of a 3-digit prefix (e.g.,
772for MTN,752for Airtel) followed by a 6-digit subscriber number. You do NOT dial the leading0sometimes seen in local Ugandan mobile numbers.
For example, if the Ugandan mobile number is (0772) XXX XXX, you would dial: 011 256 772 XXX XXX from the US.
Understanding Ugandan Phone Numbers
Ugandan phone numbers are structured with the country code +256. When dialing from abroad, the national trunk prefix 0 used within Uganda is dropped. The total length of the National Significant Number (NSN), which includes the area code/mobile prefix and the subscriber number, is 9 digits.
Landline Numbers
- Format from US:
011 + 256 + Area Code (NDC - 3 digits) + Local Number (6 digits) - Example for Kampala (Area Code
414):011 + 256 + 414 + XXX XXX - Total digits after +256: Always 9.
Mobile Numbers
- Format from US:
011 + 256 + Mobile Prefix (NDC - 3 digits) + Subscriber Number (6 digits) - Example for MTN (Prefix
772):011 + 256 + 772 + XXX XXX - Total digits after +256: Always 9.
Ugandan Area Codes (Fixed Lines)
This is a list of National Destination Codes (NDCs) or area codes for landlines in Uganda. Remember to dial 011 + 256 before these codes, then the 6-digit local number. The leading 0 found in domestic dialing is dropped.
| Area/City | Area Code (Dial after 256) | Total Digits after +256 |
|---|---|---|
| Kampala | 414, 312 (MTN), 392/393 (Airtel) | 9 (e.g., 414 + 6 digits) |
| Arua | 476 | 9 (476 + 6 digits) |
| Fort Portal | 483 | 9 (483 + 6 digits) |
| Gulu | 471 | 9 (471 + 6 digits) |
| Jinja | 434 | 9 (434 + 6 digits) |
| Kabale | 486 | 9 (486 + 6 digits) |
| Lira | 473 | 9 (473 + 6 digits) |
| Masaka | 481 | 9 (481 + 6 digits) |
| Masindi | 465 | 9 (465 + 6 digits) |
| Mbale | 454 | 9 (454 + 6 digits) |
| Mbarara | 485 | 9 (485 + 6 digits) |
| Entebbe | 414 (often grouped with Kampala) | 9 (414 + 6 digits) |
| Mityana | 464 | 9 (464 + 6 digits) |
| Mubende | 464 (may share with Mityana) | 9 (464 + 6 digits) |
| Soroti | 455 (example, confirm specific code) | 9 (455 + 6 digits) |
Note: Area codes are generally 3 digits, followed by a 6-digit local number, making a total of 9 digits for the National Significant Number. Some older references might show 2-digit codes with 7-digit numbers, but the 3+6 structure is more aligned with current numbering plans.
Ugandan Mobile Phone Prefixes
Ugandan mobile numbers are 9 digits long after the +256 country code. They consist of a 3-digit prefix (NDC) followed by a 6-digit subscriber number.
| Operator | Mobile Prefixes (Example NDCs after 256) |
|---|---|
| MTN Uganda | 770-779 (e.g., 772), 780-789 (e.g., 782), 760-764 |
| Airtel Uganda | 750-759 (e.g., 752), 700-706 (e.g., 701), 740-744 |
| Lycamobile Uganda | 720-727 (e.g., 722) |
| Uganda Telecom (UTL) | 710-719 (e.g., 712) (Service status may vary) |
| Smile Communications | 720 (primarily data, may have voice) |
*Number portability can mean the prefix doesn't always indicate the current operator. The NDCs shown are ranges; specific 3-digit prefixes within these ranges are assigned.
Time Difference
Uganda operates on East Africa Time (EAT), which is UTC+3. Uganda does not observe Daylight Saving Time.
The time difference compared to the US East Coast (ET):
- When the US East Coast is on Daylight Saving Time (EDT, UTC-4): Uganda is 7 hours ahead of ET. (e.g., 12 PM EDT is 7 PM EAT in Uganda). This is typically from early March to early November.
- When the US East Coast is on Standard Time (EST, UTC-5): Uganda is 8 hours ahead of ET. (e.g., 12 PM EST is 8 PM EAT in Uganda). This is typically from early November to early March.
Always verify the current time difference, especially during the DST transition periods in the US.
Uganda's Phone System
Uganda's telecommunications sector has seen significant development, largely driven by private partnerships. The system includes an expanding fiber optic network, with 4G services available in most major cities and national parks, and 3G in many other urban centers. Key mobile network operators include MTN Uganda and Airtel Uganda, alongside others like Lycamobile. Uganda Telecom Limited (UTL) has historically been a provider of fixed and mobile services. The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) is the regulatory body for the sector. International connectivity is achieved through satellite earth stations and terrestrial links to neighboring countries. Mobile phone usage is widespread and has been a primary driver of internet access.
Best Times to Call
Considering the time difference (Uganda is 7-8 hours ahead of US ET):
- When US East Coast is on EDT (Uganda is 7 hours ahead):
- To reach Uganda during their morning (e.g., 9 AM - 12 PM EAT), call from 2 AM - 5 AM EDT.
- To reach Uganda during their afternoon (e.g., 1 PM - 5 PM EAT), call from 6 AM - 10 AM EDT.
- When US East Coast is on EST (Uganda is 8 hours ahead):
- To reach Uganda during their morning (e.g., 9 AM - 12 PM EAT), call from 1 AM - 4 AM EST.
- To reach Uganda during their afternoon (e.g., 1 PM - 5 PM EAT), call from 5 AM - 9 AM EST.
- A practical window for business calls from the US is early morning ET (e.g., 8 AM - 10 AM ET), which corresponds to mid-afternoon in Uganda (3 PM - 5 PM EAT or 4 PM - 6 PM EAT depending on US DST).
- Ugandan business hours are generally Monday to Friday, around 8:00/9:00 AM to 5:00/6:00 PM EAT.
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Crystal Phone Card: Uganda Mobiles
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Connection Fee: 59¢ | Billing Increment: 3 minutes
Pricing Tiers:
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Rates are subject to change. Please check the latest rates.
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- Dial the local access number provided with your card.
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- Dial the full international number for Uganda:
011 + 256 + Ugandan Number(Area Code/Mobile Prefix + Subscriber Number).
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