Sub Saharan Africa

Uganda

Still current at: 03 December 2008

Updated: 21 November 2008

Terrorism

There is an underlying threat from terrorism in Uganda. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers. In neighbouring Kenya there was a car bomb attack on a hotel near Mombasa in November 2002, in which at least 15 people died, and an unsuccessful attempt to shoot down an Israeli charter plane on the same day.

For more general information see Terrorism Abroad.

Crime

Kampala is a relatively safe city.  By day you can walk the streets and visit local markets.  But opportunistic crime such as burglaries, muggings and drive-by bag snatches do occur in Kampala.  The Kololo Airstrip area of Kampala has a history of thefts from vehicles and muggings, some involving violence.  We strongly recommend that you avoid going out on foot, after dark.  You should not make yourself an obvious target for muggers and pickpockets by carrying large sums of cash in the streets or wearing expensive looking jewellery or watches.

In urban areas keep car doors locked and windows shut at all times. There have been a number of thefts of personal property from cars and taxis while stationary in traffic. If stopped by armed men, do not attempt to resist. We advise against travel outside main towns after dark.

In 2006 there were several cases of bus travellers going to the extreme south-west of Uganda, being drugged and robbed.  In 2007 and 2008 there have been incidences of people (including at least one British national) being drugged in bars and nightclubs in Kampala.  You should be aware of what you are eating and drinking. 

Take care of your passport: replacing lost or stolen passports is our most common consular task.

For more general information see Victims of Crime Abroad.

Political Situation

Uganda Country Profile

A rebel group known as the Lords Resistance Army (LRA) has been active in northern Uganda and southern Sudan for over 20 years and has been responsible for a large number of murders and abductions.  More than 700,000 people are currently living in camps for internally displaced people in northern Uganda.

Talks between the Government of Uganda and the LRA have been ongoing in Southern Sudan since July 2006 and progress has been made.  There have been no confirmed LRA attacks in Uganda since August 2006.  However the situation remains fragile and we are keeping it under close review.

Political tensions can flare up, often with little warning.  There are cases ongoing in the courts relating to opposition figures that can also be a potential cause of friction.  Any political demonstration could potentially turn violent. You should exercise caution and avoid all demonstrations and rallies.

Local Travel

North East Uganda

We advise against all travel to Karamoja (Kotido, Moroto, Nakapiripirit, Katakwi Kaabong, Abim, Kapchorwa and Bukwa Districts) in the north east.  Lawlessness there is endemic (eg road ambushes).  Tribal clashes are frequent and unpredictable in Karamoja.  Small arms are widespread and deaths or injury from gun shot wounds occur regularly.

For advice on Kidepo Valley National Park please see the National Parks section.

Northern and Western Uganda

There have been no confirmed attacks by the LRA in the districts of Kitgum, Amuru, Oyam, Dokolo, Pader, Adjumani, Gulu, Apac, Lira, Nebbi, Arua, Moyo, Koboko, Maracha & Terego and Yumbe since August 2006.  The peace process remains fragile and the situation could change with little or no warning.  If you are in northern Uganda or plan to visit the area you should take your personal safety and security seriously and have a plan in place to leave the area quickly if the conflict resumes.  You should only travel outside of the main towns (Lira, Gulu, Kitgum, Pader, Arua) in the company of persons or organisations experienced in local conditions as travel can be difficult and dangerous.  As in the rest of Uganda you should not travel outside of town after dark.

There is a risk of banditry in the region.  On 1 November 2007 two NGO workers were killed in the Amuru district in northern Uganda, when their car was ambushed.

The situation in eastern DRC remains extremely volatile and unpredictable, which has had a knock-on effect upon border areas in Uganda (see Travel Advice Democratic Republic of Congo, which advises against travel to eastern and north eastern DRC, including entering from Uganda).

West Uganda

You should seek local advice before travelling to Bundibugyo district.  Armed clashes occurred on Lake Albert in 2007, one of which resulted in the death of a British National.  If travelling by boat on Lake Albert you should be aware that the border with the DRC passes through the lake. Care should be taken to avoid the border area unless all arrangements have been made in advance with both the Ugandan and DRC authorities. See Travel Advice for Democratic Republic of Congo for more details.

There is a history of conflict between Ugandan forces and Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels in Bundibugyo District in western Uganda, flaring up most recently in April 2007. Ugandan military activity brought the situation under control but it may change with little warning and you are advised to seek local advice before embarking on a journey to Bundibugyo District. 

The situation in eastern DRC remains extremely volatile and unpredictable, which has had a knock-on effect upon border areas in Uganda (see Travel Advice for Democratic Republic of Congo, which advises against travel to eastern and north eastern DRC, including entering from Uganda).

South West Uganda

The region of the DRC immediately over the border with southwest Uganda has a history of instability and violent conflict can flare up with little notice.  There is a history of fighting spilling over the border and influxes of refugees, including into Mgahinga and Bwindi National Parks.  While the situation in the DRC remains volatile, careful consideration must be given before travelling to the border areas of Kisoro and Kanugu Districts.  Before travelling to the area please contact the British High Commission, the Uganda Wildlife Authority and your lodge/hotel management for the latest advice and consult the travel advice for DRC (see Travel Advice for Democratic Republic of Congo, which advises against travel to eastern and north eastern DRC, including entering from Uganda).

National Parks

Whilst in Uganda, we strongly recommend that you only use reputable, registered tour operators.

An armed robbery took place in the Ishasha area of the Queen Elizabeth National Park on 16 November 2008.  No-one was injured.  Inquiries are ongoing.  If you have concerns about travel to this area you should contact the Uganda Wildlife Authority or your tour company.

A foreign tourist was shot dead in an incident in Mount Elgon National Park on 5 February 2008.  The Ugandan authorities are investigating the incident.  Please contact the Ugandan Wildlife Authority about the security arrangements in place for visits to Mount Elgon National Park.

In March and April 2007 there were armed clashes between Ugandan forces and ADF rebels in the Semiliki National Park and Semiliki Game Reserve.  Ugandan military activity brought the situation under control and there have been no incidents since.  The security situation may change with little warning and you are advised to seek local advice before embarking on a journey to Semiliki National Park or Game Reserve.

There is a history of armed attacks by the LRA in the Murchison Falls National Park.  There have been no confirmed attacks by the LRA in northern Uganda since August 2006 and since November 2005 in the Park.  While the situation in northern Uganda remains fragile visits to the northern sector of the Park should only be undertaken in the company of an armed game warden who has functional communications equipment.

If you wish to visit Kidepo Valley National Park you should only travel there by air.  There have been armed clashes in the past in the Park; you should seek local advice before embarking on any journey to the Park.

The Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest are National Parks in the extreme south-western corner of Uganda, which border the DRC and Rwanda.  The situation over the border in DRC has a history of instability and problems can flare up with little notice (see section on south west Uganda).  Security personnel accompany tourists on gorilla-tracking visits in south western Uganda.  We recommend that you seek up-to-date security information from park authorities before entering Mgahinga National Park and the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. 

Some gorilla trekking operators cross into eastern DRC.  We strongly advise you not to take these tours.  (see Travel Advice for Democratic Republic of Congo, which advises against travel to eastern and north eastern DRC, including entering from Uganda).

Road Travel

The Ugandan authorities accept UK driving licences.

By far the biggest hazard you will encounter in Uganda is travelling on the roads.  Driving standards are low, vehicles are often poorly maintained and the accident rate is high.  Dozens of people die on Uganda's roads every week.  Other road users may well be driving without lights and livestock roam across the roads.  In 2007 there were 14,390 crashes with 2,234 fatalities and 9,277 serious injuries (Source: Government of Uganda).  The Jinja – Kampala and the Kampala – Masaka roads are particular accident black spots.  British nationals were killed on these roads in September 2006 and February 2007.

We strongly advise against travel outside of the main towns after dark except on the road between Kampala and Entebbe International Airport for reasons of road safety and security (see Crime section). Always keep vehicle doors locked.

There have been a number of serious accidents involving Ugandan long distance bus services many of which ply the roads linking Kampala with other towns in Uganda and internationally with Nairobi, Kigali and Dar es Salaam.  In February 2007, a bus accident left seven people dead, including one British national.  Vehicles are often poorly maintained, and driven at excessive speed even on badly maintained roads.  There have been incidents on the overnight buses between Nairobi and Kampala when bandits posing as passengers have forced the buses to stop and have robbed the passengers.  You are advised not to travel on these overnight long distance buses.

Great care must be taken if you choose to travel by long distance bus. The “Post Bus” service run by the Ugandan Post Office currently has the best safety record and many volunteer and NGO organisations recommend to their staff to use this service when travelling between towns in Uganda.

Other common forms of public transport are matatus and boda-bodas (scooter taxis), Matatus are usually a private minibus using a specific route. Though very cheap to use, matatus and boda-bodas are generally in poor condition, badly driven and often without proper insurance cover. We therefore advise great caution before using matatus and boda bodas. If doing so you should select a vehicle that appears in good condition, consult other passengers and if using a boda-boda always wear a crash helmet.

For more general information see Driving Abroad.

Ugandans are by nature outgoing and welcoming people.  But their culture is socially conservative and formal, eg dress codes for business.  Homosexuality is illegal and social tolerance of it is low. 

 

Penalties for drug trafficking are severe.  Drug abuse is neither widespread nor accepted. 

 

Do not take photos of military, official or diplomatic sites, including Owen Falls Dam at the source of the Nile near Jinja. If taking photos of people it is best to ask their permission first as some may object. 

For more general information for different types of travellers see Travel Advice Relevant to You.

Visas

 

British nationals need to have a visa to enter Uganda.  This can be obtained from the Ugandan High Commission in London, or at the International airport at Entebbe (though expect a long queue if travelling at peak holiday times).  If travelling by road, it is usually easier to get a visa from the Ugandan High Commission or Embassy before leaving the neighbouring country.

Passport validity

 

You should have passport with a minimum of six months validity remaining.

 

Yellow Fever vaccination certificate

 

You should have a valid Yellow Fever vaccination certificate with you on arrival.

 

Travelling with children

Single parents or other adults travelling alone with children should be aware that some countries require documentary evidence of parental responsibility before allowing lone parents to enter the country, or in some cases, before permitting the children to leave the country.  For further information on exactly what will be required at immigration, please contact the Ugandan High Commission in London before travelling.

Only limited medical facilities are available outside Kampala and, in the case of serious accident or illness an evacuation by air ambulance may be required.

Malaria is a common and serious problem throughout Uganda. There are also regular outbreaks of meningitis in parts of northern Uganda and outbreaks of measles also occur in Uganda.

There is currently an outbreak of Hepatitis E in Kitgum, Gulu and Pader Districts which has killed at least 97 people.

You should drink or use only boiled or bottled water and avoid ice in drinks.  If you suffer from diarrhoea during a visit to Uganda you should seek immediate medical attention.

A Dutch tourist was infected with the Marburg virus during her stay in Uganda in July 2008 and subsequently died in The Netherlands.  More information on precautions to be taken against Marburg can be found in the WHO website: http://www.who.int.

In the 2008 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic the UNAIDS/WHO Working Group estimated that around 810,000 adults aged 15 or over in Uganda were living with HIV; the prevalence rate was estimated at around 5.4% of the adult population. This compares to the prevalence rate in adults in the UK of around 0.2%.  You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. For more general information on how to do this see HIV and AIDS.

You should seek medical advice before travelling to Uganda and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date. For further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general disease protection and prevention you should visit the websites of the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) and NHS Scotland's Fit For Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.

For more general health information see Travel Health.

Insurance

We strongly advise that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling.  This should include cover for unexpected losses such as cancelled flights, stolen cash cards, passport or luggage.  You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake.  For more general information see Travel Insurance.

If things do go wrong when you are oversees then this is How We Can Help.

Registration

Register with our LOCATE service to tell us when and where you are travelling abroad or where you live abroad so our consular and crisis staff can provide better assistance to you in an emergency.  More information about registering with LOCATE can be found here.

 

Money

Credit cards are not widely used in Uganda.  Fraud is commonplace.  We advise you to carry sufficient travellers’ cheques to meet normal expenses, though be aware that they can only be cashed in major towns and often at a significantly lower rate of exchange than cash.  So also bring sufficient US dollars in cash to meet any essential or emergency expenses.  US dollars dated earlier than 2001 and notes smaller than US $50 are usually only exchanged at a less favourable rate and in some cases not accepted for exchange at all.