Country Profile - Uganda

General Information

Area: 241,139 sq km (93,104 sq miles).

Population: 22,788,000 (official estimate 2001).

Population Density: 94.5 per sq km.

Capital: Kampala. Population: 1,212,000 (official estimate 2000).

GEOGRAPHY: Uganda shares borders with Sudan to the north, Kenya to the east, Lake Victoria to the southeast, Tanzania and Rwanda to the south and the Democratic Republic of Congo to the west. Kampala is on the shores of Lake Victoria, and the White Nile flowing out of the lake traverses much of the country. The varied scenery includes tropical forest and tea plantations on the slopes of the snowcapped Ruwenzori Mountains, the arid plains of the Karamoja, the lush, heavily populated Buganda, the rolling savannah of Acholi, Bunyoro, Tororo and Ankole, and the fertile cotton area of Teso.

Government: Republic. Gained independence from the UK in 1962. Head of State: President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni since 1986. Head of Government: Prime Minister Apollo Nsibambi since 1999.

Language: English is the official language, with Luganda and Swahili also widely spoken.

Religion: 60 per cent Christian, 32 per cent Animist and 5 per cent Muslim.

Time: GMT + 3.

Electricity: 240 volts AC, 50Hz.

Communications:

Telephone: IDD is available to and from principal towns in Uganda. Country code: 256. Service for local calls is unreliable.

Mobile telephone: GSM 900/1800 network. Main network operators are Clovergem Celtel (website: www.msi-cellular.com), MTN Uganda (website: www.mtn.co.ug) and Uganda Telecom Ltd (website: www.utl.co.ug). Coverage extends to all major towns.

Fax: Service is available at the Postal & Telecommunications Office, 35 Kampala Road, Kampala; in central post offices in Jinja and Mbale between 0800-1600; and in some hotels.

Internet: ISPs include InfoCom (website: www.imul.com) and MTN Uganda (website: www.mtn.co.ug). There are Internet cafes in Kampala.

Telegram: Available in main towns.

Post: Airmail to Europe can take from 3 days to several weeks. Post office hours: Mon-Fri 0830-1230 and 1400-1730. Some post offices are open Sat 0830-1300.

Press: The English-language papers include Financial Times, The Monitor, New Vision, The Star and Sunrise.

Radio: BBC World Service (website: www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice) and Voice of America (website: www.voa.gov) can be received. From time to time the frequencies change and the most up-to-date can be found online.

Passport/Visa

Passport Required? Visa Required? Return Ticket Required?
British Yes Yes Yes
Australian Yes Yes Yes
Canadian Yes Yes Yes
USA Yes Yes Yes
OtherEU Yes Yes Yes
Japanese Yes Yes Yes

Restricted entry: Entry may be refused to passengers not holding sufficient funds, return or onward tickets, and other necessary travel documents.

PASSPORTS: Passport valid past the date of expected departure from Uganda required by all.

VISAS: Required by all except the following:

(a) 1. nationals of Angola, Antigua & Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Burundi, Comoros, Cyprus, Eritrea, Fiji, The Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Jamaica, Kenya, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Malta, Mauritius, Rwanda, St Vincent & the Grenadines, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Swaziland, Tanzania, Tonga, Vanuatu, Zambia and Zimbabwe;

(b) transit passengers continuing to a third country by the same or first connecting flight within 24 hours, provided holding confirmed tickets and travel documents and not leaving the airport.

Note: Some visas may be issued on arrival to Uganda; check with your local Embassy for further details.

Types of visa and cost: Single-entry: US$50 (3 months). Multiple-entry: US$90 (6 months), US$190 (1 year). Transit: US$15. Express processing is available at an additional charge of US$10.

Validity: Single-entry: 3 months from date of issue; Multiple-entry: 6 months or 1 year from date of issue; Transit: 24 hours.

Application to: Consulate (or Consular section at High Commission or Embassy); see Contact Addresses section.

Application requirements: (a) Passport valid past the date of your expected departure from Uganda. (b) Completed application form. (c) Two recent passport-size photos (with full name printed on the back of one). (d) Fee (cash or postal orders only). (e) Registered self-addressed envelope, if applying by post. Business: (a)-(e) and, (f) Letter of invitation/introduction.

Note: Working journalists require a letter of accreditation issued by the Secretary of the Media Council, Dept of Information, PO Box 7142, Kampala (tel: (41) 232 734; fax: (41) 256 888 or 342 259).

Working days required: 2.

Temporary residence: Enquire at Embassy or High Commission.

Money

Currency: Uganda Shilling (USh). Notes are in denominations of USh20,000, 10,000, 5000 and 1000. Coins are in denominations of USh500, 200, 100 and 50.

Currency exchange: Foreign currency may be exchanged at the Central Bank, commercial banks and foreign exchange bureaux.

Credit & debit cards: American Express, Diners, MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted. Most large hotels, restaurants, travel agencies and shops in urban areas accept credit cards. Check with your credit or debit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services which may be available.

Travellers cheques: To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take travellers cheques in US Dollars or Pounds Sterling.

Currency restrictions: The import and export of local currency is prohibited. Free import of foreign currency if declared on arrival. Export of foreign currency is unlimited, up to the amount declared on arrival. It is imperative to obtain a currency declaration form on arrival in Uganda. Unspent shillings can be reconverted to foreign currency.

Exchange rate indicators: The following figures are included as a guide to the movements of the Uganda Shilling against Sterling and the US Dollar:

Date Aug ’03 Nov ’03 Feb ’04 May ’04
£1.00= 3188.17 3280.00 3472.13 3352.51
$1.00= 1997.85 1984.00 1907.50 1877.00

Banking hours: Generally Mon-Fri 0900-1500, Sat 0900-1200.

Duty Free

Duty-Free: 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 225g of tobacco; 1 bottle of spirits or wine; 568ml of perfume.

Restricted exports: A special permit is required to export game trophies.

Public Holidays

Public Holidays: Jan 1 2004 New Year’s Day. Jan 26 Liberation Day. Feb 2 Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice). Mar 8 International Women’s Day. Apr 9 Good Friday. Apr 12 Easter Monday. May 1 Labour Day. Jun 3 Martyrs’ Day. Jun 9 National Heroes’ Day. Oct 9 Independence Day. Nov 14-16 Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan). Dec 25 Christmas Day. Dec 26 Boxing Day. Jan 1 2005 New Year’s Day. Jan 21 Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice). Jan 26 Liberation Day. Mar 8 International Women’s Day. Mar 25 Good Friday. Mar 28 Easter Monday. May 1 Labour Day. Jun 3 Martyrs’ Day. Jun 9 National Heroes’ Day. Oct 9 Independence Day. Nov 3-5 Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan). Dec 25 Christmas Day. Dec 26 Boxing Day.

Note: Muslim festivals are timed according to local sightings of various phases of the moon and the dates given above 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 2 to 10 days, depending on the region. For more information, see the World of Islam appendix.

Health

Special Precautions Certificate Required?
Yellow Fever Yes Yes/1
Cholera Yes No/2
Typhoid and Polio 3 N/A
Malaria 4 N/A

1: A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travellers over 1 year of age arriving from infected areas. Travellers arriving from non-endemic zones should note that vaccination is strongly recommended for travel outside the urban areas, even if an outbreak of the disease has not been reported and they would normally not require a vaccination certificate to enter the country.

2: 2: Following WHO guidelines issued in 1973, a cholera vaccination certificate is not a condition of entry to Uganda. However, cholera is a serious risk in this country and precautions are essential. Up-to-date advice should be sought before deciding whether these precautions should include vaccination, as medical opinion is divided over its effectiveness; see the Health appendix for more information.

3: Typhoid is widespread and immunisation is advised.

4: Malaria risk, predominantly in the malignant falciparum form, occurs all year throughout the country, including the main towns of Fort Portal, Jinja, Kampala, Mbale and parts of Kigezi. Resistance to chloroquine has been reported.

Food & drink: All water should be regarded as being a potential health risk. Water used for drinking, brushing teeth or making ice should have first been boiled or otherwise sterilised. Milk is unpasteurised and should be boiled. Powdered or tinned milk is available and is advised, but make sure that it is reconstituted with pure water. Avoid dairy products which are likely to have been made from unboiled milk. Only eat well-cooked meat and fish, preferably served hot. Pork, salad and mayonnaise may carry increased risk. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled.

Other risks: Bilharzia (schistosomiasis) is present. Avoid swimming and paddling in fresh water; swimming pools which are well chlorinated and maintained are safe. Meningitis risk exists, depending on area visited and time of year. Hepatitis A, B and E, and tuberculosis occur. Sleeping sickness (trypanosomiasis) is reported.

Rabies is present. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered. If you are bitten, seek medical advice without delay. For more information, consult the Health appendix.

Note: In March/April 2003, there was an outbreak of cholera in the Bundibugyo district, and an epidemic of measles in January 2002 in the Kayunga district. Travellers wishing to obtain up-to-date information about these health concerns should consult the Ugandan Ministry of Health (website: www.health.go.ug).

Health Care: Visitors should bring personal supplies of medicines that are likely to be needed, but enquire first at the Embassy or High Commission whether such supplies may be freely imported. Comprehensive health insurance is essential and should include cover for emergency air repatriation in case of serious accident or illness. The Ugandan health service has still not recovered from the mass departure of foreign personnel in 1972 and there are medical facilities of a reasonable standard only in large towns and cities.

Travel – International

Note: Travellers are strongly advised to avoid Adjumani, Apac, Gulu (including Murchison Falls National Park), Kitgum, Lira and Padar Districts; Nebbi District; the Karamoja region of eastern Uganda (Kotido, Moroto and Nakapiripiri Districts); and Kaberamaido, Katakwi and Soroti Districts. For further advice, contact a local government travel advice department.

AIR: Uganda’s main airline, Uganda Airlines (QU), is no longer in operation. Other airlines serving Uganda include Air Rwanda, Air Tanzania, British Airways, Egyptair, Emirates, Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airways, SN Brussels and South African Airways.

Approximate flight times: From Kampala to London is 8 hours.

International airports: Entebbe (EBB) is 35.5km (22 miles) southwest of Kampala (travel time – 30 minutes). There are bus services to Kampala. Taxis are also available. Airport facilities include duty-free shops, restaurants, banks/bureaux de change, post office, car hire and hotel reservations.

Departure tax: No airport tax is levied on passengers upon embarking at the airport (service charge is included in the ticket).

Note: All airline tickets purchased in Uganda must be paid for in hard currency.

LAKE: Between Kampala in Uganda and Mwanza in Tanzania, it is possible to catch a boat on Lake Victoria.

RAIL: Uganda Railways does not operate passenger services at present.

ROAD: There are connections with all neighbouring countries, although borders are not always open. However, travellers 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.

Travel – Internal

AIR: Air Commuter, Challenge Air, Eagle Air, Missionary Aviation Fellowship, TMK and United Airlines offer flights from Entebbe to most major towns. Charter flights are also available.

LAKE: Local boat services link Entebbe to the Ssese Islands.

ROAD: Traffic drives on the left. The road network extends over 28,332km (17,605 miles). 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. Bus: Services run between most parts of Uganda but are unreliable and often very crowded. Scheduled services operate between Entebbe and Kampala (travel 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, if a little overcrowded. Post-bus services operate Monday to Saturday from Kampala to main towns. 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. Documentation: An International Driving Permit and adequate third-party insurance is required. Drivers must carry their vehicle log books.

Accommodation

ACCOMMODATION: There are international-standard hotels in Entebbe and Kampala. In smaller towns, hotels are generally of a more limited quality and they may not take travellers cheques or credit cards. Camping, rustic bush camps and guest houses are also available. Information can be obtained from the Uganda Tourist Board (see Contact Addresses section). All of the major National Parks offer accommodation in game lodges (see National Parks in the Resorts & Excursions section). Note that most places will add 10 per cent service charge and 20 per cent VAT to any bill.

CAMPING AND CARAVANNING: Most national parks and major tourist spots have camping sites, but campers should be well prepared and take the necessary precautions.

Sport & Activities

Uganda’s magnificent scenery offers visitors the chance to participate in a range of activities and to view some unforgettable natural spectacles. Activities can all be arranged by Ugandan tour operators.

Walking: The wide range of ecosystems in the country includes high mountains, lush hills, wetlands and arid lands. Many national parks have extensive nature trails, and several of Uganda’s lakes have trails leading along the banks. Park rangers are available to advise visitors. It is usually best to be accompanied by a local guide; hotels can make recommendations.

Trekking: For the adventurous traveller, there is a wide choice of trekking trails. Popular treks include the Karamoja, the foothills of the mountains (the Central Circuit trail) and the Sasa River Trail on Mount Elgon. These treks are suitable for those with experience. For further information, contact the Uganda Wildlife Authority, Plot 3, Kintu Road, Nakasero, PO Box 3530, Kampala (tel: (41) 346 287-8; fax: (41) 346 291; e-mail: uwa@uwa.or.ug; website: www.uwa.or.ug).

Mountaineering: Mount Elgon, the Rwenzoris and the Virungas attract experienced mountaineers for easy and medium climbs. Special equipment is not necessary unless the climber wishes to attempt the summit.

Whitewater rafting: Specialist operators take groups of visitors to the rapids of the White Nile which provide thrilling rafting. Huge waves surge around heavily forested islands, the volume of water in this area being equivalent to 10 times that of the Zambezi. Hippos, crocodiles and monkeys are among the creatures that can be seen on the way. Bujagli Falls has grade 5 rapids. For more information, contact the Uganda Wildlife Authority (see above) or the Uganda Tourist Board.

Ecotourism: The Uganda Forest Department has set up five forest ecotourism projects at rainforest sites on popular tourist routes around the country. The projects are designed to benefit local communities and to conserve nature in the areas concerned, while giving visitors the opportunity to view wildlife in its natural habitat. They may be visited at any time of year and there is no need to book in advance. Camping facilities or traditional African bandas are available to accommodate travellers, and the sites are staffed by rangers and guides who can design programmes and provide information (charges are made for these services). Sites developed so far are the Budongo Forest Reserve, the largest mahogany forest in East Africa, situated near Masindi on the road to Lake Albert; the Mabira Forest, between Jinja and Kampala; the Mpanga Forest, containing abundant birdlife and a drum-making village, situated near Kampala; the Kasyoha Kitomi Forest, 1.5km (0.9 miles) from the main Mbarara to Kasese highway, near the Albertine Rift Valley; and the Kalinzu Forest Reserve, in the southwest of the country. For further information about these sites, contact the Uganda Tourist Board (see Contact Addresses section).

Other: There is excellent fishing in numerous inland waters, notably the seven lakes in the vicinity of Kisoro. There are numerous golf courses in the country. Lake Victoria has two sailing clubs which welcome visitors. Rowing boats and canoes can be hired at Gaba resort beach and at villages near other lakes. Many hotels have swimming pools.

Social Profile

Food & Drink: There are restaurants in and around Kampala. Many hotels serve local food. Popular dishes include matoke (a staple made from bananas), millet bread, cassava, sweet potatoes, chicken and beef stews and freshwater fish.

The national drink is waragi, a banana gin, popular among visitors as a cocktail base.

Shopping: Purchases include bangles, necklaces and bracelets, woodcarvings, basketry, tea, coffee and ceramics. Shopping hours: Mon-Fri 0800-1700 and Sat 0800-1300.

Special Events: For more information on special events in Uganda, contact the Uganda Tourist Board (see Contact Addresses). The following is a selection of special events occurring in Uganda in 2004:

Jan 26 NRM Anniversary Day. Mar 8 International Women’s Day. Jun 3 Martyr’s Day. Jun 9 National Heroes’ Day. Nov 14-16 End of Ramadan.

Social Conventions: Shaking hands is the normal form of greeting. Casual dress is usual for most occasions in the daytime or evening. 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. Tipping: It is customary to give waiters and taxi drivers a 10 per cent tip.

Business Profile

Economy: Agriculture dominates the Ugandan economy, accounting for half of total output and employing over 80 per cent of the workforce. Livestock rearing and a wide range of subsistence crops meet local needs; coffee is the main export commodity. Tobacco, tea, sugar cane and cocoa are also grown for export, and some processing of these is now carried out locally. The industrial sector produces textiles, cement, fertilisers, metal goods and a variety of household items. There are large deposits of copper and cobalt, the mining of which has been disrupted by civil wars and insurgency. In addition, there are known deposits of tin, tungsten, beryllium and tantalum ores. The relatively small tourism industry has suffered from the worldwide downturn since 2002. That year, Uganda received 350,000 visitors; the sector was worth US$250 million to the economy.

The economy recorded fairly steady economic growth throughout most of the last decade (currently over 5 per cent) and, in contrast with much of the rest of Africa, has enjoyed a series of good harvests. The most pressing problem has been the country’s debt burden. Uganda has benefited from several cancellations of long-term debt under a programme operated by the Paris Club of major donors and, more recently, the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries relief programme. Its total external debt now stands at just under US$4 billion. In exchange, the Government has been obliged to introduce a series of economic reforms, principally the removal of price controls and trade restrictions and a reduction in government spending. Uganda is a member of the African Development Bank and of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA). In 2003, Uganda joined with neighbouring Kenya and Tanzania in a plan to revive the East African Customs Union (a previous attempt folded in 1977). Uganda’s principal trading partners are Kenya, the UK, Japan, the United Arab Emirates and India.

Business: A suit and tie are best worn by men for business meetings. English is used for all business discussions. Appointments should always be made. Office hours: Mon-Fri 0800-1300 and 1400-1700.

Commercial Information: The following organisation can offer advice: Uganda Investment Authority, PO Box 7418, Investment Centre, Plot 28, Kampala Road, Kampala (tel: (41) 251 562/5 or 251 854/5; fax: (41) 342 903; e-mail: info@ugandainvest.com; website: www.ugandainvest.com); or contact the Embassy/High Commission (see Contact Addresses section).

Conferences/Conventions: The Uganda International Conference Centre with its main auditorium and three committee rooms has seating for up to 2000 persons. It is adjacent to the 4-star Nile Hotel and is 3km (2 miles) from the centre of Kampala. The Speke Resort & Country Lodge Munyayo, with 10 state-of-the-art conference rooms with modern facilities, has a capacity of over 3000 people. For further information, contact the Uganda Tourist Board (see Contact Addresses section).

Climate

Climate: The temperature, usually ranging between 21-25°C, can be quite cool in some parts of the country owing to the country’s high altitude, despite its position on the equator. The mountain areas become much cooler and the top of Mount Elgon is often covered with snow. Other parts of the country are much warmer. There is heavy rain between March and May and between October and November.

Required clothing: Lightweights and rainwear, with warm wraps for the evenings are advised.