11 Best Online Side Hustles to Start in Uganda and Make Money (2023)

Are you looking for ways to earn some extra money on the side in Uganda? 

Thanks to the internet, it’s now easier than ever to make money online from your comfort.

In this post, I’ll be sharing with you the best online side hustles to start in Uganda and make money. I’ll dive into the details of each side hustle, including how easy or difficult it is to start, the investment required, and the effort and time needed to keep it running.

I’ve personally tried and tested each of the side hustles on this list and have earned income from them, so rest assured, they’re legitimate and work. 

Whether you’re a student, stay-at-home parent, or have a full-time job, there’s an online side hustle on this list that suits your lifestyle.

My personal favorite side hustles on this list are freelancing and blogging. These two side hustles offer the potential to earn a significant amount of money with little investment.

However, don’t let that limit you; there are other several side hustles on this list that you might find even more appealing.

Note: As I’m always on the lookout for new opportunities, I keep updating this list to ensure it includes only the best online side hustles in Uganda. 

Remember, to make money online, you need to provide value. Once you invest in learning a skill that provides value, you’ll be able to start earning money from online side hustles in no time.

So, let’s explore the best online side hustles in Uganda that can help you earn some extra cash!

Factors to Consider while Choosing a Side Hustle

A right side hustle has the possibility of changing your life forever and even replacing your major source of income so you should be careful when deciding on one. 

When it comes to choosing a side hustle, there are a few key factors to consider;

a) Your Side hustle Should not feel like just another 9-5 job

One of the biggest advantages of a side hustle is that it allows you to pursue your passions and interests outside of your regular work hours. 

This means that you should choose something that you genuinely enjoy doing, and that brings you a sense of fulfillment and purpose. 

Whether it’s writing, designing, crafting, or coaching, find something that speaks to your unique skills and interests.

b) Your Side hustle Should Have No Limit on what You can Earn

Your side hustle should not have a limit to what you can earn, unlike the salary of a typical job. 

While it may take some time to build up your client base or establish yourself in your chosen field, the potential for earning should be there. 

This can be especially important if you’re looking to later replace your side hustle with your typical job in the time come.

c) Low-Risk Level

Unlike a traditional job, side hustles often come with more risk, as you’re responsible for finding your own clients, managing your own schedule, and navigating the ups and downs of self-employment. 

As such, it’s important to choose a side hustle that carries a manageable level of risk, and that you feel confident and prepared to take on.

That said, you should keep the above factors in mind while choosing a side hustle that is right for you. 

11 Best Online Side Hustles to Start in Uganda

Without delay,

Below are the best 15 online side hustles in Uganda to make money.

1. Freelancing

Starting a freelance side hustle is relatively easy in Uganda. You need a skill that is in demand, such as graphic design, language translation, web development, or writing.

Next, you will need a freelancing platform such as Upwork, Fiverr, or Freelancer to connect you with people who are actively searching for your skills and assistance. 

With freelancing, your first income may take some time to come in, but once you establish a reputation, and get good reviews from your first clients, you can earn a decent income. 

The investment required for freelancing is little to nothing, and you only need a computer or a smartphone and an internet connection. 

The effort and time needed to keep running your freelancing business depend on the amount of work you take on. 

In most cases, since you are your own boss, you decide on what time you dedicate and also follow through with the deadlines set by your clients. 

2. Blogging

Starting a blog is relatively easy, and you can make money through advertising, affiliate marketing, or sponsored content. 

To start a blog, you need;

• A domain name such as workaguide.com, jumia.com
• Hosting

With the right content strategy, and applying Search Engine Optimization, you can grow an audience and start making money out of it.

The investment required is low, and you can start with as little as UGX 100,000 which will be spent on buying a domain name and hosting to get your blogging business started.

Maintaining your blog requires a minimum of 3-5 hours per week to keep things running which is a good thing.

You need to write engaging and on-demand content that your audience is looking for and with the coming of AI writing tools like ChatGPT. You can easily come up with first drafts of content and later edit them. This way you can create lots of content and grow your blog. 

This can enable you to work your 9-5 as you still work on your blog and grow it.  and effort, as you need to create engaging content and interact with your readers.

For cheap domain names (as low as $9.58/Year) and affordable hosting (as low as $24/Year), I recommend you purchase from Namecheap.

3. Online Teaching

If you have expertise in a particular subject, you can offer online reaching services. 

You can teach students of all ages from around the world, and the earning potential is high. You’ll need to invest in a good-quality microphone and webcam to communicate effectively with your students. 

Be it teaching languages like Luganda, and Runyankole, a skill like web development, and public speaking among others, you can always monetize and sell your knowledge. 

Create written and video courses and upload them to teaching platforms. When people purchase your course, you can earn money passively from sharing your skills with others. 

You can sell your courses on platforms like Thinkific, Udemy, Skillshare, and Teachable among others. 

4. Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing is the process of promoting other people’s products and earning a commission on each sale. 

You can promote products through your website, blog, social media, or email marketing. 

You don’t need any capital to start affiliate marketing however you need platforms to promote the product. You need to also build an audience that can come from your social media following, blog, or friends list. 

The most crucial thing about affiliate marketing is about finding the right products to promote. You need to be well familiar with the product you are promoting or else you might end up misleading people and lose the trust of your customers. 

You can join affiliate programs of major brands like Amazon, Dondolo, or Odukar which are all e-commerce stores selling products to users. 

Pick products that you have personally used or know how they work and write reviews recommending them. 

Share your links for your friends, or followers on your social platforms to purchase from so that you can earn a commission off of each sale. 

5. Translation Services

If you’re fluent in multiple languages, you can offer translation services online. 

In Uganda, we have a wealth of local languages yet there are not many people who can translate them into English.

The competition for offering transcription and translation services for local languages like Luganda, Rukiga, Runyankole, Acholi, Lugbara, etc is still low and you can take advantage of that. 

You can translate documents, interviews, website content, books, or video subtitles for clients around the world. 

This side hustle requires little to no investment and the earning potential is high. 

However, you’ll need to have excellent language skills and be able to deliver accurate translations.

You need to be able to understand the local language so you can accurately translate it into other languages like English. 

You can offer your services on platforms like Upwork, Freelancer.com, or Fiverr.

I personally offer Luganda/English translation services on platforms like Fiverr and I am available for hire in case you are in need of the service. 

6. Start an Online store

Another online side hustle in Uganda that you can start is creating your own online store and selling products or services to customers around the world. 

You can sell physical products like clothes, jewelry, or electronics, or digital products like e-books or courses. 

The investment required varies depending on the type of products you sell, but you’ll need to have the products in stock so that you do not delay customers when they make orders. 

Next is that you will spend time creating an online store and promoting your products. You can start your own store on platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, etc.

But if you are a person who does not have the capital to create a website and e-commerce store you can always start with free options. 

My top choice for this is Jiji. Jiji Uganda is an online platform for people to buy and sell goods easily. Jiji allows sellers to post their products for free so buyers can discover them and buy from them. 

I have bought many authentic and affordable products such as a Mi-Fi, Airpods Pro 2, and Apple Fast Charger from sellers on Jiji. 

So if you do not have enough capital to set up an online store, you can always start with a free option like Jiji and sell all kinds of products such as electronics, furniture, clothes, and jewelry among others. 

7. Start a YouTube Channel

Contrary to what people think, starting a YouTube business that requires little upfront capital, and as long as you have a smartphone/computer and an internet connection you can always get started.

To start a YouTube channel in Uganda, you’ll need to invest time and effort into creating high-quality content that resonates with your audience.

This may include researching your target audience, developing a content strategy, and investing in equipment such as a camera, microphone, and editing software.

One of the benefits of starting a YouTube channel is that you don’t necessarily need to show your face in the videos so in case you are camera-shy or you do not have to show your face which is even easier now with the various AI tools. 

To create engaging content without showing your face, you can use AI-powered tools to generate scripts and even “speaking heads” to narrate your videos.

There are several free and paid AI-powered tools available that can help you create realistic-looking avatars that can speak and even move in a lifelike manner.

The key to building a successful YouTube channel in Uganda is to consistently create high-quality content that your audience is interested in. This may take time and effort, but with persistence and dedication, you can build a loyal following and turn your YouTube side hustle into a profitable business.

You can sell your products, courses, affiliate marketing, or get sponsorships if your channel grows considerably. 

8. Content creation

Creating digital content like videos, podcasts, and blogs is a great way to make money online. You can monetize your content through ads, sponsorships, and affiliate marketing. 

The earning potential is high, but you’ll need to invest in quality equipment like a camera, microphone, and editing software. 

You can start your own blog, create a Tiktok, YouTube channel, or podcast, and promote your content on social media.

Businesses are in need of content creators to diversify their content strategy and creatively reach their customers. 

First, make sure that you have tons of creative content. Make sure that such content appeals to people and grow an audience. People will discover you as a result of your effort.

You can as well step out of your comfort zone and start sending prospective businesses that might be in need of your skills and creativity emails, and messages pitching them your ideas. 

You can reach out to radio stations, Tv stations, small businesses, and startups and pitch them your ideas. 

9. Graphic design

If you have a creative flair and can design eye-catching graphics, you can offer graphic design services to clients online. 

You can create logos, website designs, business cards, social media designs, carousels, and more. 

I have personally earned passive income from offering my graphic design skills to clients in need of real estate designs, political campaigns, church events, etc. All this is alongside my studies at university. It does not cost a lot and you can start with an easy-to-use and free software like Canva. 

You can as well learn other design software like Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator to get started but I prefer Canva for its simplicity. 

You can offer your services on platforms like 99designs, Fiverr, or Upwork, get paid, and earn money for the projects accomplished. 

10. Social Media Management

Social media has become a crucial part of many businesses marketing strategies, and there’s a high demand for social media managers. 

As a social media manager, you’ll be responsible for managing a company’s social media accounts such as TikTok, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn whatever the case may be. 

You will be in charge of creating content, and engaging with followers. It’s a great side hustle if you’re familiar with social media platforms and can create engaging content. 

All you need is a computer or smartphone to work as your capital. 

You also need tools like social media scheduling software and graphic design software such as Canva to get started.

You can pitch this skill to individuals who barely have time to keep active on social media but it is crucial for their brands. 

Reach out to businesses, and inform them how much potential they are leaving on the table without optimizing for social media. Show how you will be able to achieve that for them and why you are the best-fit for the role. 

This can be a great side hustle and all it requires you is to be well conversant with social media platforms. 

11. Selling Gift Hampers

Creating and selling gift hampers can be a lucrative and enjoyable side hustle in Uganda. 

People don’t have the time or struggle with making choices to come up with the perfect gifts to give their loved ones. 

Gift hampers are a thoughtful and personalized way to show someone you care, and they can be tailored to suit any occasion or client. 

This could be anything from a valentine’s day hamper, to a birthday gift hamper, to a baby shower hamper. Once you have a theme, you can start sourcing items to include in your hamper. 

When it comes to pricing your gift hampers, you’ll need to factor in the cost of the items, the container, and any additional materials, such as ribbon or gift tags.

You’ll also want to consider the time it takes to assemble each hamper, as well as any shipping or delivery costs.

To market your gift hampers, you can create a website or social media page showcasing your products. You may also want to offer discounts or promotions for first-time customers or referrals to boost your business’ reach

Word of mouth can be a powerful marketing tool, so encourage satisfied customers to leave reviews or share your page with their friends and family.

This is a great side hustle that doesn’t take lots of time.

In fact, the clients give you money to look for the gifts and it is up to you to bargain with the sellers or know places where you can get items at a cheap price such as Kikuubo, Downtown, etc in order to have a high-profit margin. 

Conclusion

In conclusion, starting an online side hustle is a great way to earn some extra money in Uganda. 

With the internet and the side hustles mentioned in this post, you have the opportunity to make money from the comfort of your own home with only a smartphone/computer and an internet connection.

Whether you choose to start a freelance business, sell products online, or start a YouTube channel, it’s important to choose a side hustle that aligns with your interests and skill set. 

Remember, success takes time, effort, and dedication, so don’t be discouraged if you don’t see results immediately.

One of the great things about online side hustles is that you can start with little to no investment and grow your business as time goes by. 

As I keep updating this list with more online side hustles that have been proven to work, be sure to bookmark it and check back regularly. 

I hope you found this helpful.

Let me know which side hustle has worked for you in the past. Which one are you willing to try out based on this list? 

And still, if you face any difficulties, do not hesitate to let me know in the comment section. 

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