UGANDA TRAVEL INFORMATION

Uganda has several Airlines flying in and out of the country. Kampala's international airport is Entebbe. Scheduled airlines flying to Entebbe include: Air Burundi Air Rwanda (to/from Kigali), Air Tanzania, British Airways, SN Brussels, EastAfrican Airlines, Emirates, Gulf Air, South African Airways, Kenya Airways, Rwandair Express, Egypt Air, Ethiopian Airlines, Eagle Air and United Airlines both Direct flights from Europe and from other African countries.

Buses and taxis are available from the airport to the city. A wide network of buses/taxis run throughout the country connecting almost every town. Within Kampala, taxis, special hire taxis and motor bikes provide transport within the city and its suburbs. These are found on major roads in te city center, as well as the 2 taxi parks. The journey time is approximately 30 minutes and fare is about 20$.

Over land:
There are land borders with Kenya, Sudan, Rwanda, Tanzania and Zaire. Bus services operate from all the capitals to Entebbe.

By water: ferry services operate from Tanzania, Mwanza to Port Bell, on Lake Victoria.

TRAVELLERS

§ Normal caution is required by female travellers/visitors. Women travellers should dress modestly and decently since Uganda has a wide range of cultural differences and morals. Day time temperatures are generally warm to hot so bring light clothes. Evenings are cooler especially at high altitudes so carry a couple of light sweaters. Donot move alone were possible especially at night. Be cautious of unsolicited male company.

§ Visitors to Uganda should inform the Airlines in advance incase they are travelling with a baby or toddler. There is plenty to intrest children inUganda. Several activities will keep children entertained like wildlife spotting in Wildlifeparks, Ballet and Modern Music schools, Horse riding lessons, Jumping jacks and squad Biking. Facilities should also be checked when booking Airlines because these varry in each Aircraft. Attention should be given to the risks of Malaria, Dysentry, heat exhaustion.

§ Uganda has few special facilities for disabled travellers. Several places have special facilities for the disabled like hospitals and some Hotels like Sheraton Hotel. Wheelchairs are difficult to accommodate on public road transport, and private hires will normally need to be made. However, this should not discourage disabled travellers.

§ Student travellers get no special discounts on facilities except students from international Air travel. The rates advertised for Parks or Museums as student prices only apply to Local students and not international students.

§ Gay and Lesbian travellers should exhibit extreme discretion, since the act is illegal in Uganda and gay clubs and bars are absent. There is general toleration by ordinary people of discrete behaviour.

SAFETY TIPS:

Theft:

Traveling is better done during Daylight hours, since most thieves operate during the night. Please avoid being driven by a drunk driver.

Jewellery of financial or sentimental value should be left at the hotel/accommodation facility, as most major hotels have safety boxes and safes.

If you are venturing into the Bush, these have wildlife. Hippos are dangerous if you happen to frighten them and other threatening species are the big primates and wild buffalo.

Most casual thieves operate in Busy streets, Markets, Bus and Taxi parks. Avoid having large amounts of money or valuables loose in your daypack or pocket. Keep a close watch on your possessions.

Keep all your valuables and money in a hidden money belt. Never show your money belt in public. It is advisable to keep a small amount of cash hidden away in your luggage, so that should you loose your money belt,you have something to fall back on.

VISA REQUIREMENTS:
A visa to Uganda is issued at Uganda missons abroad and entry points. All countries that require visas for Uganda are also visa prone in Uganda. A visa application form can be downloaded at the following embassy website.http://www.ugandaembassy.com/visa.pdf
Visa Fees

Single entry US$30
Student visa US$ 20
Single entry will cost USD 30 and multiple entry will go for USD 100.
Student visa costs $20 for single entry and $ 30 for multiple entry.
Visa requirements are subject to change.
It is therefore advisable to take advice from the relevant embassies before traveling.
Entry permit.
A Single journey entry to Uganda is given and on arrival, visitor pass is issued for purposes of having a holiday, travelling,or doing business in Uganda. Multiple entry visas can be granted for business purposes.
Entry permit Classes.
Class A1: persons in Government services, UN organizations, OAU, COMESA, and other institutions approved by the Minister of Internal Affairs.

Class A :contracting companies of the above organizations
Class B-F: Investors in various disciplines.
Class G :Employees. Investors and employees are required by law to execute a security bond equivalent to the cost of a single economy class ticket to their country of origin.

Countries exempted from visa requirements to Uganda:

COMESA Countries, Antigua, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Fiji, Gambia, Grenada, Jamaica, Lesotho, Malta, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, St. Vincent, Tonga, Vanuatu, Cyprus

CURRENCY:

The Uganda shilling is the legal currency in Uganda. There are no restrictions on money transfer in and out of the country. The Uganda shilling is devided into denominations of 1000, 5000, 10,000, 20,000 and 50,000 for paper notes, while coins are in the denominations of 100, 200, 500 for coins.

PAYMENT IN HOTELS:

Payment in hotels is made by cash, credit cards or travelers chequesdepending on the hotel. Visa, diners, American Express & master Cards are accepted. Hotels that accept credit cards levy US$ 10 as processing charges. Some hotels levy a 5% on total bill. Major hotels charge 18 % Vat on all transaction including Room rates.
Most Hotels provide Airport transfer as a complimentary to hotel guests, however some hotelsprovide airport pick up for a nominal fee of $ 7 to $ 60.

Please note that Hotels dont accept US $ bills of 1996 and prior to that.

HEALTH:

Travellers are advised to contact the Uganda Representative in their countries or regions to determine whether vaccination is necessary before entry into Uganda. A yellow fever vaccination is usually required. Malaria is prevalent in Uganda and it is advisable to take anti-malarial and mosquito repellents.

Travellers are fully responsible for arranging your own health insurance. Uganda has several health facilities that provide quality health care services like:

International Medical centre:0414-341291, 342608
For emergencies call , 0772-741291, 0772-200400/1

AAR Health Services Tel: 0414 261318/9 or email: info@aar.co.ug

Kololo Hospital Tel: 231935

Sim's Medical Centre 0414-340084, 0772-500601

Angelica Medical Services Tel: 0772 610831

Victoria Medical Centre 0414-235546, 257594, Road 0414-320956

Bugolobi Hospital Tel:222354

Case Medical Centre Tel: 0772 522681

Family Nursing home :0414-268527

Fort Lugard Medical centre:0414-257329

JODA Clinic Tel: 230864

Kadic Hospital:0414-543723, 543726,0772-406612

Kampala Medical Chambers :0414-348846, 0772-505013

KIM's Medical Centre: 0772 500601

May Medical Center : Tel: 0772 403760

Sas clinic :0414-345325

St Francis Clinic
0414-533028,0772-433500

The Surgery: 0414 256003 ,0752-756003

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