Uganda is a landlocked country in East Africa, meaning it does not have direct access to the sea. However, it relies on neighboring countries for its import and export activities through various ports and transit routes. The nearest ports accessible to Uganda are located in Kenya and Tanzania, which provide vital connections to international trade routes. Here are these ports and their significance:
List of Largest Ports Near to Uganda
| Port NAME | Country | Type of Cargo Ships | Monthly Arrivals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Port of Mombasa | Kenya | Container, Bulk, General Cargo | 1,500 |
| Port of Dar es Salaam | Tanzania | Container, Bulk, General Cargo | 1,200 |
| Port of Djibouti | Djibouti | Container, Bulk, General Cargo | 1,000 |
| Port of Beira | Mozambique | Container, Bulk, General Cargo | 800 |
| Port of Durban | South Africa | Container, Bulk, General Cargo | 700 |
| Port of Walvis Bay | Namibia | Container, Bulk, General Cargo | 600 |
| Port of Maputo | Mozambique | Container, Bulk, General Cargo | 500 |
| Port of Richards Bay | South Africa | Bulk, General Cargo | 400 |
| Port of Lobito | Angola | Container, Bulk, General Cargo | 300 |
| Port of Cape Town | South Africa | Container, Bulk, General Cargo | 200 |
| Port of Port Elizabeth | South Africa | Container, Bulk, General Cargo | 150 |
| Port of Luanda | Angola | Container, Bulk, General Cargo | 100 |
| Port of Lüderitz | Namibia | Container, Bulk, General Cargo | 50 |
| Port of Tamatave | Madagascar | Container, Bulk, General Cargo | 30 |
| Port of Zanzibar | Tanzania | Container, Bulk, General Cargo | 20 |
Major Ports Serving Uganda
1. Port of Mombasa (Kenya)
The Port of Mombasa is the principal port for Uganda, handling the majority of the country’s import and export activities. Located on the Indian Ocean coast of Kenya, Mombasa serves as Uganda’s primary seaport. It is one of the busiest ports in East Africa, with extensive infrastructure capable of handling containerized cargo, bulk goods, oil, and general cargo. The port’s connectivity by road and rail to Uganda makes it an essential gateway for Ugandan trade. Mombasa handles everything from raw materials to manufactured goods for Uganda, and it plays a critical role in supporting the landlocked nation’s economy.
City Location: Mombasa, Kenya
Latitude: 4.0435° S
Longitude: 39.6682° E
Nearby Cities and Road Connections:
| City | Distance (km) | Road Connection |
|---|---|---|
| Nairobi | 485 | A109 Highway |
| Kisumu | 295 | A104 Highway |
| Kampala | 480 | A104 Highway |
| Malindi | 120 | B8 Highway |
| Voi | 150 | A109 Highway |
| Lamu | 230 | C103 Highway |
| Eldoret | 370 | A104 Highway |
Nearby Railway Stations:
- Mombasa Railway Station (Mombasa)
- Nairobi Railway Station (Nairobi)
- Kisumu Railway Station (Kisumu)
- Eldoret Railway Station (Eldoret)
- Kampala Railway Station (Kampala)
2. Port of Dar es Salaam (Tanzania)
The Port of Dar es Salaam is another vital seaport for Uganda, located on the coast of Tanzania along the Indian Ocean. The port serves as a secondary route for Uganda’s international trade, offering an alternative to the Port of Mombasa. Dar es Salaam handles significant volumes of containerized cargo, bulk goods, and petroleum products. The port’s growing infrastructure and efficient rail and road links to Uganda make it a key part of Uganda’s trade network, especially for goods moving southward through East Africa.
City Location: Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Latitude: 6.7924° S
Longitude: 39.2083° E
Nearby Cities and Road Connections:
| City | Distance (km) | Road Connection |
|---|---|---|
| Dodoma | 475 | A7 Highway |
| Arusha | 515 | A104 Highway |
| Nairobi | 600 | A104 Highway |
| Kampala | 1,100 | A104 Highway |
| Morogoro | 190 | A7 Highway |
| Tanga | 230 | B1 Highway |
| Mbeya | 480 | A104 Highway |
Nearby Railway Stations:
- Dar es Salaam Railway Station (Dar es Salaam)
- Dodoma Railway Station (Dodoma)
- Arusha Railway Station (Arusha)
- Nairobi Railway Station (Nairobi)
- Morogoro Railway Station (Morogoro)
3. Port of Kisumu (Kenya)
The Port of Kisumu, located on the shores of Lake Victoria in western Kenya, is a smaller but significant port for Uganda, especially for trade and transport between Uganda and Kenya. The port primarily handles cargo transported via the lake, including bulk commodities, agricultural products, and containers. Kisumu provides an important alternative route for Uganda’s imports and exports, linking the country to both the East African Great Lakes region and international markets through the port of Mombasa.
City Location: Kisumu, Kenya
Latitude: 0.0917° S
Longitude: 34.7681° E
Nearby Cities and Road Connections:
| City | Distance (km) | Road Connection |
|---|---|---|
| Nairobi | 320 | A104 Highway |
| Kampala | 275 | A104 Highway |
| Eldoret | 230 | A104 Highway |
| Kakamega | 55 | B2 Highway |
| Vihiga | 35 | B2 Highway |
| Mbale | 215 | A109 Highway |
| Maseno | 20 | B3 Highway |
Nearby Railway Stations:
- Kisumu Railway Station (Kisumu)
- Nairobi Railway Station (Nairobi)
- Eldoret Railway Station (Eldoret)
- Kampala Railway Station (Kampala)
- Kakamega Railway Station (Kakamega)
4. Port of Mwanza (Tanzania)
The Port of Mwanza, located on the shores of Lake Victoria in Tanzania, is another important port for Uganda. This port is part of the Lake Victoria transport network, which allows for the shipment of goods by ferry between Uganda, Tanzania, and Kenya. Mwanza handles both cargo and passenger ferries, and it is particularly important for Uganda’s imports of fuel, food products, and industrial goods. It also serves as a transit point for Ugandan exports, including agricultural products like coffee and cotton.
City Location: Mwanza, Tanzania
Latitude: 2.5167° S
Longitude: 32.9075° E
Nearby Cities and Road Connections:
| City | Distance (km) | Road Connection |
|---|---|---|
| Dar es Salaam | 600 | A7 Highway |
| Bukoba | 160 | B2 Highway |
| Arusha | 380 | A104 Highway |
| Nairobi | 720 | A104 Highway |
| Kampala | 720 | A104 Highway |
| Mwanza Airport | 15 | A104 Highway |
| Musoma | 210 | A104 Highway |
Nearby Railway Stations:
- Mwanza Railway Station (Mwanza)
- Dar es Salaam Railway Station (Dar es Salaam)
- Arusha Railway Station (Arusha)
- Nairobi Railway Station (Nairobi)
- Bukoba Railway Station (Bukoba)
5. Port of Port Bell (Uganda)
The Port of Port Bell is located on the shores of Lake Victoria in Uganda and is a critical inland port for the country. The port is used for the transportation of goods to and from Uganda, particularly for shipments that need to be transported by water. Port Bell connects Uganda to Kenya and Tanzania through the lake’s ferry system, and it handles cargo such as construction materials, foodstuffs, and fuel. The port is crucial for supporting the lake’s regional transport network.
City Location: Port Bell, Uganda
Latitude: 0.3139° N
Longitude: 32.6297° E
Nearby Cities and Road Connections:
| City | Distance (km) | Road Connection |
|---|---|---|
| Kampala | 10 | A109 Highway |
| Entebbe | 35 | A109 Highway |
| Jinja | 80 | A109 Highway |
| Masaka | 150 | A109 Highway |
| Mbale | 230 | A109 Highway |
| Hoima | 230 | A109 Highway |
| Mbarara | 290 | A109 Highway |
Nearby Railway Stations:
- Port Bell Railway Station (Port Bell)
- Kampala Railway Station (Kampala)
- Jinja Railway Station (Jinja)
- Entebbe Railway Station (Entebbe)
- Mbarara Railway Station (Mbarara)
6. Port of Jinja (Uganda)
The Port of Jinja, located on the shores of Lake Victoria in Uganda, serves as an important inland port for the transportation of goods to and from the region. Jinja is a key industrial city in Uganda, and its port is crucial for supporting the local economy. Jinja handles bulk goods, industrial products, and foodstuffs, and it provides a transport link between Uganda and its East African neighbors via the lake.
City Location: Jinja, Uganda
Latitude: 0.5897° N
Longitude: 33.2025° E
Nearby Cities and Road Connections:
| City | Distance (km) | Road Connection |
|---|---|---|
| Kampala | 75 | A109 Highway |
| Mbale | 110 | A109 Highway |
| Entebbe | 95 | A109 Highway |
| Masaka | 120 | A109 Highway |
| Hoima | 230 | A109 Highway |
| Mbarara | 260 | A109 Highway |
| Kumi | 80 | A109 Highway |
Nearby Railway Stations:
- Jinja Railway Station (Jinja)
- Kampala Railway Station (Kampala)
- Entebbe Railway Station (Entebbe)
- Mbale Railway Station (Mbale)
- Hoima Railway Station (Hoima)
7. Port of Entebbe (Uganda)
Entebbe, located on the shores of Lake Victoria, is one of Uganda’s most important cities for both commerce and tourism. While the port of Entebbe primarily handles passenger ferries, it also supports the transport of goods, especially those moving via the lake. The city is also home to Uganda’s international airport, making it a major point for imports and exports, particularly for goods like food and industrial products.
City Location: Entebbe, Uganda
Latitude: 0.3076° N
Longitude: 32.4457° E
Nearby Cities and Road Connections:
| City | Distance (km) | Road Connection |
|---|---|---|
| Kampala | 35 | A109 Highway |
| Jinja | 80 | A109 Highway |
| Masaka | 125 | A109 Highway |
| Mbale | 210 | A109 Highway |
| Hoima | 220 | A109 Highway |
| Mbarara | 270 | A109 Highway |
| Gulu | 370 | A109 Highway |
Nearby Railway Stations:
- Entebbe Railway Station (Entebbe)
- Kampala Railway Station (Kampala)
- Jinja Railway Station (Jinja)
- Masaka Railway Station (Masaka)
- Mbarara Railway Station (Mbarara)
8. Port of Kisumu (Kenya)
The Port of Kisumu, situated on the shores of Lake Victoria, is important for Uganda as it provides a key water transport route for goods moving between Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania. The port is used for bulk goods, containerized cargo, and other commodities like agricultural products. Kisumu offers a significant link between Uganda and its neighboring countries, making it an important port for regional trade.
City Location: Kisumu, Kenya
Latitude: 0.0917° S
Longitude: 34.7681° E
Nearby Cities and Road Connections:
| City | Distance (km) | Road Connection |
|---|---|---|
| Nairobi | 300 | A104 Highway |
| Kampala | 275 | A104 Highway |
| Eldoret | 240 | A104 Highway |
| Kakamega | 50 | B2 Highway |
| Vihiga | 35 | B2 Highway |
| Mbale | 215 | A109 Highway |
| Maseno | 20 | B3 Highway |
Nearby Railway Stations:
- Kisumu Railway Station (Kisumu)
- Nairobi Railway Station (Nairobi)
- Eldoret Railway Station (Eldoret)
- Kampala Railway Station (Kampala)
- Kakamega Railway Station (Kakamega)
9. Port of Tanga (Tanzania)
Tanga, located on the coast of Tanzania, is an important port for Uganda due to its proximity to the East African coast and its accessibility from Uganda by road. Tanga serves as a secondary port for Uganda’s trade, especially for the importation of bulk goods and raw materials. The port handles containerized cargo, oil, and general cargo, and is linked to Uganda through Tanzania’s transport network.
City Location: Tanga, Tanzania
Latitude: 5.0709° S
Longitude: 39.0970° E
Nearby Cities and Road Connections:
| City | Distance (km) | Road Connection |
|---|---|---|
| Dar es Salaam | 320 | A7 Highway |
| Arusha | 450 | A104 Highway |
| Nairobi | 500 | A104 Highway |
| Kampala | 750 | A104 Highway |
| Morogoro | 150 | A7 Highway |
| Mbeya | 430 | A104 Highway |
| Dodoma | 250 | A7 Highway |
Nearby Railway Stations:
- Tanga Railway Station (Tanga)
- Dar es Salaam Railway Station (Dar es Salaam)
- Arusha Railway Station (Arusha)
- Nairobi Railway Station (Nairobi)
- Dodoma Railway Station (Dodoma)