Language: English is the official national language. Luganda is also widely spoken and is the most common of the numerous indigenous languages.
Currency: The official currency is the Ugandan Shilling (UGX), which is divided into 100 cents. Foreign currency, like US dollars, Euros or Pounds Sterling, can be exchanged at banks and bureaux de change. Travelers cheques are not widely accepted outside of
Kampala. ATMs are available in Kampala. Credit cards are only accepted at major hotels, shops and restaurants, usually only in the cities.
Time: Local time is GMT
+3.
Electricity: Electrical current is 220 volts, 50Hz. Three-pin, rectangular blade plugs are in use.
Communications: The international dialing code for
Uganda is +256. The outgoing code is 000 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 00027 for
South Africa). City/area codes are in use, e.g. (0)41 for Kampala. There is extensive cellular telephone network coverage over most of the country with GSM 900, and Internet facilities are available in most large towns.
Duty Free: Travelers to Uganda over 17 years of age do not have to pay duty on 200 cigarettes or 227g tobacco, or a combination of 227g tobacco products; 1 bottle of wine or spirits; and 500ml of perfume or eau de toilette.
Getting Around: Buses connect all major towns daily. Minibuses and shared taxis are a good way of getting around and are the most commonly used by Ugandans - they are frequent, have fixed fares and leave when full. A few airlines offer scheduled and charter flights within the country; some places can only safely be reached by air. Cars can be rented from
Entebbe Airport, Kampala and other major towns.
Tourist OfficeUganda Tourist Board, Kampala: +256 (0)41 342 196 or www.visituganda.com
EmergencyEmergencies: 999
Embassies
Uganda Embassy,
Washington DC,
United States: +1 202 726 7100.
Uganda
High Commission,
London, United Kingdom (also responsible for
Ireland): +44 (0)20 7839 5783.
Uganda High Commission,
Ottawa,
Canada: +1 613 789 7797.
Uganda High Commission, ACT,
Australia (also responsible for
New Zealand): +61 (0)2 6286 1234.
Uganda High Commission,
Pretoria, South Africa: +27 (0)12 342 6031/3.
United States Embassy, Kampala: +256 (0)41 259 791/2/3.
British High Commission, Kampala: +256 (0)31 231 2000.
Canadian High Commission,
Nairobi,
Kenya (also responsible for Uganda): +254 (0)20 366 3000.
Australian High Commission, Nairobi, Kenya (also responsible for Uganda): +254 (20) 444 5034-9.
South African High Commission, Kampala: +256 (0)41 434 3543.
Ireland Embassy, Kampala: +256 (0)41 771 3000.
