Kampala in May

In May, Kampala averages 25°C (76°F) during the day and 18°C (64°F) at night, with frequent rain — about 31 days of the month see precipitation (142 mm total).

Shoulder

Conditions are comfortable for sightseeing without being sweltering. Expect daily rain or showers, often in heavy bursts.

May offers comfortable temperatures in Kampala, with some rain to plan around.

25°C
Avg high
18°C
Avg low
31
Rain days
142 mm
Rainfall

How May compares to the rest of the year in Kampala

11th
warmest month of the 12
1st
wettest month of the 12
10%
of yearly rainfall falls in May
12 h 8 min
daylight on the 15th

May is one of the coolest months in Kampala (11th of 12) and one of the wettest months (1st of 12). Daytime temperature runs 1°C below the annual average (26°C). May runs roughly the same as April (25°C) and stays flat into June.

May sunrise & sunset in Kampala

🌅
Sunrise (15th)
6:42 AM
🌇
Sunset (15th)
6:50 PM
Day length
12 h 8 min

Times shown for Kampala local time (Africa/Kampala), calculated for the 15th of May. They shift by a few minutes day to day across the month.

Photography light in Kampala — May

Golden-hour and blue-hour windows for the 15th of May, in Kampala's local time. Use these for soft warm light (golden) or cool architectural twilight (blue).

🌅 Blue hour (AM)
5:42 AM – 6:22 AM
🌄 Golden hour (AM)
6:22 AM – 7:22 AM
🌇 Golden hour (PM)
6:10 PM – 7:10 PM
🌆 Blue hour (PM)
7:10 PM – 7:50 PM
Milky Way galactic core
Good
Galactic core is up but lower on the horizon; head well outside city limits for a clean view.

📅 When to book — Kampala in May

Travel writers usually only tell you when to go. Here's when to book flights and lodging for the best mix of price and availability, based on May's tier (Shoulder) and Kampala's popularity.

✈ Flights — lead time
6-10 weeks
Sweet spot for value. Major fare-sales (US: Black Friday, EU: post-Easter) hit hardest in shoulder months for shoulder travel.
🏨 Lodging — lead time
4-8 weeks
Lots of selection. Look for shoulder-season packages — many hotels add value (free breakfast, spa credit) to fill rooms.

Crowds & pricing — May in Kampala

Shoulder

Kampala is in a shoulder season month — fewer crowds, slightly lower prices, and a calmer atmosphere than peak weeks. Most major sights stay open with normal hours, though a handful of seasonal restaurants or boat trips may run reduced schedules. Many regulars consider these months the best time to visit because you trade a small amount of weather reliability for a much more pleasant on-the-ground experience.

Why this tier: comfortable tourism weather

Sun & mosquito risk — May in Kampala

☀️ UV Index (noon, 15th)
12.1
Extreme
Stay indoors during midday hours; SPF 50+ even briefly outside, UPF clothing, wide-brim hat, sunglasses essential.
🦟 Mosquito risk
●●●●○
High
Peak mosquito activity. DEET 30%+, long sleeves at dawn/dusk, sleep under nets if rural. Check current dengue/malaria advisories for the destination.

UV is a clear-sky sea-level estimate — clouds, altitude, and reflective surfaces (snow, water) shift it ±30%. Mosquito risk is climate-derived only; for current disease advisories (dengue, malaria, zika) check the CDC or WHO travel pages before your trip.

Kampala in other months

MonthAvg highAvg lowRainfallRain daysSnow days
January 27°C / 81°F 18°C / 64°F 61 mm 21
February 28°C / 82°F 19°C / 66°F 65 mm 23
March 27°C / 80°F 19°C / 66°F 131 mm 29
April 25°C / 77°F 19°C / 65°F 194 mm 30
May 25°C / 76°F 18°C / 64°F 142 mm 31
June 25°C / 76°F 17°C / 63°F 99 mm 28
July 25°C / 77°F 17°C / 63°F 63 mm 25
August 25°C / 78°F 17°C / 63°F 107 mm 29
September 26°C / 78°F 18°C / 64°F 117 mm 29
October 26°C / 78°F 18°C / 64°F 139 mm 30
November 25°C / 77°F 18°C / 64°F 179 mm 29
December 26°C / 78°F 18°C / 64°F 109 mm 26

Other cities with similar May weather

🌍 See the full ranked list of climate twins for Kampala in May →

Frequently asked questions

How hot is Kampala in May?

In May, Kampala averages a high of 25°C (76°F) and a low of 18°C (64°F) — generally warm.

Does it rain a lot in Kampala in May?

May is quite rainy in Kampala, with about 31 rainy days on average.

Is May a good time to visit Kampala?

May is warm but on the rainy side. It suits travelers who are comfortable with warm weather; check the month-by-month ranking to compare it against the rest of the year.

What should I pack for Kampala in May?

Pack light layers for warm days and cooler evenings, plus a compact umbrella or rain jacket. See the full May packing list for Kampala for a complete, climate-based checklist.

Open Kampala on the interactive map

Check the live 10-day forecast and sunrise/sunset.