Uganda Travel Guide

Uganda — Country and Tourist Information

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Country Facts

Location: Central/East Africa.
Language: English is the official language, with Swahili, Luganda and other Bantu languages also spoken.
Area: 241,038 sq km (93,065 sq miles).
Time Zone: GMT + 3.
Electricity: 240 volts AC, 50Hz.
Population: 30.9 million (UN estimate 2007).
Population Density: 128.2 per sq km.
Capital City: Kampala. Population: 1.2 million (UN estimate 2003).
Government: Republic. Gained independence from the UK in 1962.
Head of Government: Prime Minister Apolo Nsibambi since 1999.
Head of State: President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni since 1986.
Religion: 60% Christian, 32% animist and 5% Muslim.

Recent History

Yoweri Museveni, Uganda’s leader since 1986, was declared the winner of elections in February 2006, the first multi-party poll in 25 years. Officials said he took 59% of the vote versus the 37% share of his main rival, Kizza Besigye from the opposition Forum for Democratic Change. Observers said the conduct of the poll was an improvement on the 2001 vote, but critics accused the government of intimidating the opposition in the run-up. Parliament abolished a constitutional limit on presidential terms in 2005, paving the way for Museveni to seek a third elected term.

Communications

Telephone

Country Code: +256. Service for local calls is unreliable. Phone shops are available in towns.

Mobile Telephone

Coverage extends to all major towns and international roaming agreements exist with international mobile phone companies.

Internet

There are Internet cafés in most large towns.

Media

Uganda has been a pioneer of liberalization in the African media. Private radio and television stations have thrived since the government loosened its control of the media in 1993. Radio is the most popular medium.

Post

Airmail to Europe can take from three days to several weeks.Mon-Fri 0830-1230 and 1400-1730. Some post offices are open Sat 0830-1300.

Press

• The English-language papers include private daily The Monitor and state-owned daily New Vision.
• Vernacular papers include state-owned Bukedde, Etop and Rupiny.

Radio

• UBC Radio is a publicly run station that operates five stations in Uganda. It can be heard across the country in English and vernacular languages.
• Radio Simba, Capital Radio and KFM are private stations.

Public Holidays

Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2011-December 2012 period.
2010
25 Dec Christmas Day
26 Dec Boxing Day

2011
1 Jan New Year’s Day
26 Jan Liberation Day
8 Mar International Women’s Day
22 Apr Good Friday
25 Apr Easter Monday
1 May Labor Day
3 Jun Martyrs’ Day
9 Jun National Heroes’ Day
30 Aug - 31 Aug Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan)
9 Oct Independence Day
6 Nov - 7 Nov Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice)
25 Dec Christmas Day
26 Dec Boxing Day

2012
1 Jan New Year’s Day
26 Jan Liberation Day
8 Mar International Women’s Day
6 Apr Good Friday
9 Apr Easter Monday
1 May Labor Day
3 Jun Martyrs’ Day
9 Jun National Heroes’ Day
19 Aug Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan)
9 Oct Independence Day
25 Oct Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice)
25 Dec Christmas Day
26 Dec Boxing Day
Muslim festivals are timed according to local sightings of various phases of the moon and the dates given here are approximations. During the lunar month of Ramadan that precedes Eid al-Fitr, Muslims fast during the day and feast at night and normal business patterns may be interrupted. Many restaurants are closed during the day and there may be restrictions on smoking and drinking. Some disruption may continue into Eid al-Fitr itself. Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha may last anything from two to 10 days, depending on the region.

Contact Information

Uganda Tourist Board

PO Box 7211, 13-15 Kimathi Avenue, Impala House, Kampala, Uganda
Tel: (41) 342 188.
Website: www.visituganda.com

High Commission for the Republic of Uganda in the UK

Uganda House, 58-59 Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DX, UK
Tel: (020) 7839 5783.
Website: www.ugandahighcommission.co.uk
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0930-1730, 0930-1330 (visa section).