How to Hire and Pay Drivers in Uganda (2026 Employer Guide)
Whether you need a personal driver, a company driver, or a fleet of truck drivers, hiring the right person in Uganda is part judgement and part due diligence, and paying them properly is where many employers slip up. This guide covers both. It is part of our larger guide on hiring and paying casual and informal workers in Uganda.
Where to find drivers in Uganda
Good drivers come mostly through referrals from people you trust, driving schools and SACCOs, transport associations, and specialised driver agencies that pre-screen candidates. For fleet operators, building a relationship with a reliable agency saves enormous time.
What to verify before you hire
- Valid driving permit for the correct vehicle class
- Genuine experience with that vehicle type (test drive)
- References from previous employers
- Clean traffic and background record
- For trucks: route knowledge and cargo-handling experience
Stop paying drivers in loose cash
Cash payments to drivers invite disputes and leave no record. Basket Payroll pays each driver by mobile money, logs every payment, and handles PAYE and NSSF.
See Basket Payroll →What drivers earn
Pay varies by role: personal/company drivers commonly earn around UGX 400,000 to 900,000 a month; truck and long-haul drivers more, often with route allowances. Agree the base rate, allowances, overtime and any per-trip bonuses in writing before they start.
Paying drivers compliantly
A driver employed by your business is an employee, not a casual contractor by default. That means PAYE once pay crosses the URA threshold, and NSSF. Pay by mobile money through a system that records every payment and applies the deductions automatically, so you stay clean with URA and have proof of every shilling paid.
Pay your drivers the right way with Basket Payroll
Basket Payroll pays drivers by mobile money, handles PAYE and NSSF automatically, records every payment, and stops ghost-worker fraud. Hire freely, pay correctly, stay compliant.
See Basket Payroll →Frequently Asked Questions
Driver pay in Uganda varies widely by type: a personal or company driver typically earns around UGX 400,000 to 900,000 a month, truck and long-haul drivers more depending on routes and cargo, while boda and ride-hailing earnings depend on daily trips. Always agree the rate, allowances and overtime in writing.
Verify a valid driving permit for the correct vehicle class, confirm experience with the specific vehicle, check references from previous employers, run a background check, and do a practical test drive. For commercial fleets, also confirm clean record with no serious traffic offences.
Yes. A driver employed by your business is an employee: PAYE applies once monthly pay crosses the URA threshold, and NSSF (5% employee, 10% employer) applies. Running drivers through payroll software applies these automatically.