Uganda Travel Guide

Social Conventions

Shaking hands is the normal form of greeting. Casual dress is usual for most occasions in the daytime or evening. Ugandans have adopted a socially conservative culture and homosexuality and drug abuse is illegal and widely condemned.

Photography: Since 1992, photography has been allowed in all areas with the exception of airports or military installations. However, some areas are still sensitive and it is advisable to take local advice. Commercial photographers should consult the Ministry of Information for a permit.

International Travel

Getting There By Air

Airlines serving Uganda include British Airways (website: www.britishairways.com), Emirates (website: www.emirates.com) and Kenya Airways (website: www.kenya-airways.com).

Departure Tax

US$20 if leaving by air.

Main Airports

Entebbe (EBB) is 40km (22 miles) southwest of Kampala (journey time – 30 minutes). To/from the airport: There are bus services to Kampala. Most hotels in Kampala and Entebbe will arrange airport transfers. Taxis are also available. Facilities: Duty-free shops, restaurants, banks/bureau de change, car hire and hotel reservations.

Getting There By Water

Regular boat services on Lake Victoria link Kampala in Uganda with Mwanza in Tanzania.

Getting There By Rail

Uganda Railways does not operate passenger services at present. Kenyan Railways run frequent services between Kampala and Nairobi (journey time - 12-14 hours), often overnight.

Getting There By Road

There are connections with all neighboring countries, although borders are not always open. However, travelers should take local advice before crossing the border with Rwanda, and should not attempt to cross the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Bus: There is a daily bus service between Kampala and Nairobi, Arusha and Dar-es-Salaam.

Duty Free

Overview

The following items may be imported into Uganda by visitors over 17 years without incurring customs duty (except from Kenya and Tanzania):

• 200 cigarettes or 227g of tobacco or a combination thereof.
• One bottle of spirits or wine.
• 500mL of perfume.

Note: A special permit is required to export game trophies.

Internal Travel

Getting Around By Air

Eagle Air (website: www.flyeagleairuganda.com) offers flights from Entebbe to most major towns. Charter flights are also available, including to the national parks.

Getting Around By Water

Local boat services link Entebbe to the Ssese Islands.

Getting Around By Road

Traffic drives on the left. The roads are of variable quality and radiate from Kampala, although the network is sparse in the north. There are still some army and police check points on roads and railways. Always keep vehicle doors locked.

Bus: Services run between most parts of Uganda but are unreliable and often very crowded. Scheduled services operate between Entebbe and Kampala (journey time – 1 hour) and to and from the airport. An extensive network of minibuses, known as matatus, runs to most parts of the country and they are a quick and convenient form of transport, but very overcrowded. However, there is a law against overloading on buses and if this occurs, the driver and passengers are liable to pay a fine.

There are also special taxis, identifiable by their black and white stripes, which take passengers to wherever they want to go but are more expensive than matatas.

Car hire: International hire companies are based near Entebbe International Airport and in the center of Kampala.

Regulations: The speed limit is 80kph (50mph) or 100kph (62mph) on highways.

Documentation: An International Driving Permit and adequate third-party insurance is required. UK driving licenses are accepted. Drivers must carry their vehicle log books and must pay for a temporary road license.

Note: There have been a number of serious accidents involving long distance buses services between Kampala, Nairobi, Kigali and Dar es Salam. There have also been incidents on overnight buses between Nairobi and Kampala when bandits posing as passengers have forced buses to stop and have robbed the passengers. Visitors are advised not to travel on these overnight long distance buses.