Travel Information and a guide to costs, where to find a doctor or dentist, bus fares and local languages in Uganda.
Getting Here
Getting from the airport – generally a special hire taxi from the airport the the city or Backpackers Hostel is 60,000/- Ush ($35) If you are a large group we can arrange a 22 seater coaster bus for 130,000/-Ush ($80)
A taxi from the city centre to Backpackers or vis versa is about 10,000/- Ush or you can get a motorcycle taxi (boda boda) for 2,500/- to 3,000/- Ush.
Exchanging Money
Exchanging money – there are many exchange bureau and banks around Kampala and it is easy to change money and as a result there is no black market. The excgange rate as of May 2008 is around 1,650/- Ush to the US dollar, 3,320/- Ush to the British Pound and 2,300/- to the Euro. We recommend Red Fox Exchange Bureau 52 Kampala Road as a good place to change money.
Health Tips
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention strongly recommend a malaria preventative; travelers to Uganda should take one of the following antimalarial drugs: mefloquine (Lariam®), doxycycline, or Malarone®. You should contact your doctor as to which of these drugs would be best for you.
The CDC further recommends the following vaccines weeks before your trip to allow time for shots to take effect): Hepatitis A or immune globulin (IG); typhoid; yellow fever (required by Uganda); and as needed, booster doses for tetanus-diphtheria, measles, and a one-time dose of polio vaccine for adults.
As the situation changes fairly frequently we suggest consulting your doctor for the latest advice shortly before starting your course. You can review the latest CDC advisories.
Hospitals & Clinics – there are many good clinics around Kampala city and generally hospitals in rural towns are not so bad with basis medial care readily available. In Kampala I recommend The Surgery run by Dr. Stockley and which is near the golf club in Kololo http://www.thesurgeryuganda.org/aboutus.htm Dr. Stockley has been in Uganda since year dot and has a wide experience in treating tropical diseases, he is also up to date on the latest treatment for diabeties should you have an emergency in that field.
For a comprehensive list of doctors, dentists and clinics please go the website for the Uganda Guide
Traffic and Road Safety Tips
While in a foreign country, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States. Most inter-city transportation in Uganda is by small van or large bus. Many drivers of these vehicles have little training and some are reckless. Small vans and large buses are often poorly maintained, travel at high speeds, and are the principal vehicles involved in the many deadly single and multi-vehicle accidents along Ugandan roads. Large trucks on the highways are often over-loaded, with inadequately secured cargo and poor braking systems. Drivers are advised to take extra care when driving. Night time driving avoided whenever possible. Pedestrians often walk in the roads and may not be visible to motorists. Large branches or rocks in the road sometimes indicate an upcoming obstruction or other hazard. Highway travel at night is particularly dangerous, including the road between Entebbe Airport and Kampala. The Embassy recommends caution on this road and use of a reliable taxi service to and from the airport.
Electrical appliances In Uganda
Electricity in Uganda is 240 Volts, alternating at 50 cycles per second. If you travel to Uganda with a device that does not accept 240 Volts at 50 Hertz, you will need a voltage converter. There are three main types of voltage converter. Resistor-network converters will usually be advertised as supporting something like 50-1600 Watts. They are light-weight and support high-wattage electrical appliances like hair dryers and irons. However, they can only be used for short periods of time and are not ideal for digital devices.
Visas to Uganda
A valid passport is mandatory. Multiple-entry visas are difficult to obtain. Single entry visas are available without difficulty on arrival at Entebbe or Kigali airports, or at land borders into Uganda or Rwanda. We recommend clients obtain them on arrival.
Ugandan visas are required by citizens of the European Union, the USA and Japan; other nationals should check. Visas can be obtained at Ugandan missions overseas or at Entebbe
A single entry visa to Uganda can be obtained from Entebbe International Air port on Arrival. In the UK the Ugandan Embassy is located at Uganda House, 58/59 Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DX. Telephone: +44 (0)20 7839 5783. In the USA the Uganda Embassy is located at 5811 16th Street NW, Washington DC 20011. Telephone: +1 202 726 7100.