Genvisec advises that  business and leisure travel should continue to Uganda. Certain areas of the country should be avoided:

 

We advise against travel to the districts of Kaabong, Kotido, Abim, Moroto, Napak, Nakapiripirit, Katakwi, Amudat, Kapchorwa, Kween, and Bukwo in the Karamoja region of north eastern Uganda with the exception of trips to Kidepo Valley National Park, which you should make by air. 

 

Crime

 

Opportunistic crime like burglaries (some using chloroform gas), muggings, drive-by bag snatches and thefts from vehicles do occur in Kampala and other areas of Uganda. There have been a few cases of individuals being drugged and robbed on public transport and in bars.

 

Don’t carry large sums of cash or wear expensive looking jewellery or watches. Take particular care of your passport. Take extra care when going out on foot after dark.

 

Keep car doors locked and windows shut when driving in towns. There have been a number of thefts from cars and taxis while stationary in traffic. Don’t leave valuables in vehicles. If you are stopped by armed criminals, don’t resist.

 

Local travel - north-east Uganda

 

The Karamoja region is largely lawless. There are frequent road ambushes and tribal clashes. Small arms are widespread and there are regular deaths or injury from gunshot wounds.

 

Local travel - northern and western Uganda

 

Take great care near the border with Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan. . There have been some clashes and there is a risk of banditry. If you travel outside the main towns (Lira, Gulu, Kitgum, Pader, Arua) you should do so with experienced local guides. Genvisec do not advise that you travel to this region.

 

Local travel - west Uganda

 

In the past there have been violent incidents involving Ugandan forces and Allied Democratic Forces rebels in and around the Rwenzori mountains. The situation is now under control but a recurrence is possible.

 

In July 2014, there were violent attacks by local armed men against police and army installations and some civilians in Bundibugyo, Kasese, and Ntoroko districts. Over 90 people were reported to have been killed. This area includes tourist destinations like the Rwenzori Mountains and national parks.

 

There have been no further reports of major incidents in this area since July 2014.

 

Local travel - south west Uganda

 

The parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo immediately neighbouring southwest Uganda have a history of instability and violent conflict can flare up with little notice. Some Congolese refugees have crossed the border into Kisoro district in Uganda. Take care when travelling in the area. Fighting and refugees have in the past spilled over the border into Mgahinga and Bwindi National Parks. If you are planning travel to Kisoro and Kanugu Districts, seek local advice before you set off.

 

Local travel - eastern Uganda

 

Travel to eastern Uganda is largely trouble free, but during heavy rains there is a risk of landslides particularly in Bulucheke sub-county in Bududa District near Mount Elgon National Park, a popular tourist destination.

 

Local travel - National Parks

 

Use reputable, registered tour operators and contact the Ugandan Wildlife Authority (UWA) for up to date advice and information before you travel. If you travel to Kidepo Valley National Park you should do so by air rather than road. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Parks are in the extreme south west of Uganda near the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda. It’s routine practice for security personnel to accompany tourists on gorilla-tracking visits in this area.

 

Gorilla Trekking

 

Some gorilla trekking operators cross into the Democratic Republic of Congo. You should avoid taking these tours.

 

Road Travel

 

You can drive in Uganda using a UK driving licence for up to 3 months, after which you will need to get a Ugandan driving licence from the Uganda Revenue Authority or an International Driving Permit.

 

Travelling on the roads can be hazardous, particularly outside the main cities. Driving standards are poor, vehicles are often poorly maintained and the accident rate is high. Other road users may be driving without lights and livestock roam across the roads. The Jinja - Kampala and the Kampala - Masaka roads are particular accident black spots.

 

Speed limits in built-up areas are generally 50km/h and out of town 80km/h. The police enforce this law and breaking speed limits can result in a fine, imprisonment or both.

 

For reasons of road safety and security you should avoid travelling outside of the main towns after dark, except on the road between Kampala and Entebbe International Airport.

 

There have been a number of serious accidents involving Ugandan long distance bus services, linking Kampala with other towns in Uganda and internationally with Nairobi, Kigali and Dar es Salaam. Some overnight buses have been robbed after being forced to stop by roadblocks or by criminals posing as passengers.

 

Other common forms of public transport are matatus (minibus taxis following a particular route) and boda-bodas (motorbike taxis). Though cheap, matatus and boda-bodas are generally in poor condition, badly driven and often without proper insurance cover. Accidents are common.

 

Boat Travel

 

Large numbers of ferry passengers have died in accidents on Lakes Albert and Victoria in recent years. Police believe the accidents were caused by the overloading of passengers and goods.

 

Political situation

 

Political and other demonstrations can become violent without warning, causing loss of life and injury. There have been serious opposition protests in Kampala in recent years. The police have been reported to use tear gas and rubber bullets. There were reports of police use of tear gas against political demonstrations in Luwero district before a by-election in May 2014. You should take great care and avoid all demonstrations and rallies where possible.

 

Until 2006, the Lord’s Resistance Army was active in northern Uganda. There has been no Lord’s Resistance Army activity in Uganda since 2006, but the group continues to attack civilians in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Central African Republic, and South Sudan.

 

Local laws and customs

In February 2014, the Anti-Homosexuality Bill was signed into law, increasing previous penalties and creating new criminal offences, including the ‘promotion of homosexuality’. On 1 August 2014, the Constitutional Court overturned the law. Homosexuality remains illegal and not tolerated.

 

Penalties for drug trafficking are severe.

 

Don’t take photos of military, official or diplomatic sites, including Owen Falls Dam at the source of the Nile near Jinja. If you are taking photographs of people, ask their permission first.

 

You may be stopped and asked for ID documents by officials. Carry a copy of the personal details page of your passport (the page with your photograph) with you at all times.

 

Money

Credit cards are not widely used and there have been reported incidents of credit card fraud, even in international hotels. Carry travellers’ cheques or cash in US dollars. Travellers’ cheques can only be cashed in major towns, often at a much lower rate of exchange. US dollars dated earlier than 2001 and notes smaller than US$50 are usually exchanged at a less favourable rate and in some cases not accepted at all.

 

Terrorism

There is a threat from terrorism. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers. Large crowds of people and public places may be targeted. The Ugandan police regularly issue alerts about possible threats to locations in Kampala and the surrounding area. In the past, these have included hotels, educational institutions, public places and the venues for sporting and religious events.

 

You should continue to be vigilant at all times, especially in crowded areas and public places like hotels, transport hubs, hotels, restaurants and bars, and during major gatherings like sporting or religious events. Previous terrorist attacks in the region have targeted places where football matches are being viewed.

 

The attack on the Westgate shopping centre in Nairobi, Kenya on 21 September 2013 was a reminder of the threat posed across the East Africa region by the Somali based Islamic terrorist group Al-Shabaab. In 2010 there were bomb attacks in Kampala at venues screening the World Cup final, one explosion at a restaurant in Kabalagala and two at a rugby club in Lugogo, killing over 70 people and injuring many more. Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility, the first major terrorist attacks it had carried out outside Somalia. Al-Shabaab linked the attacks to Uganda’s military presence in Somalia as part of an African Union peacekeeping mission, and threatened further attacks in the region.

 

The Ugandan authorities continue to work to reduce the risk of further attacks. There may be additional security checks, including baggage and car searches in public places, including hotels.

 

Health

Make sure your Yellow Fever vaccination is up to date before arriving in Uganda.

 

Medical facilities in Uganda are limited. Medical help at the scene of an accident is likely to be limited. In the case of serious accident or illness, evacuation by air ambulance may be required. Make sure you have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment abroad and repatriation.

 

An outbreak of typhoid in Kampala was announced in February 2015 affecting people working in a number of market and public areas of the city. On 11 March the Ugandan Ministry of Health announced that the outbreak had spread to 15 other districts of the country. The announcement named Bugiri, Bukwo and Kween (eastern Uganda), Isingiro and Ssembabule (SW Uganda), and Maracha (NW Uganda) as the districts with the highest numbers of “highly suspected” cases of typhoid. Media reports suggest that over 2,400 cases have been reported in the current outbreak, including deaths from typhoid in Kampala.

 

You should follow the health advice issued by the National Travel Health Network and Centre.

 

Only use boiled or bottled water, and avoid ice in drinks. Do not eat food prepared by unlicensed vendors or where you have concerns about kitchen hygiene.

 

In 2013, there was an outbreak of Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever in Amot sub-county of Agago District, northern Uganda.

 

In 2012, there were outbreaks of Ebola haemorrhagic fever and Marburg hemorrhagic fever.

 

On 5 October 2014, the Ugandan Ministry of Health confirmed a death from Marburg virus disease. The victim was a health worker who had been working at a hospital in Kampala, and had also had contact with the Kasese and Mpigi areas. Uganda was declared free of Marburg virus on 11 November 2014. You should follow the health advice issued by the National Travel Health Network and Centre.

 

In the 2013 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic the UNAIDS/WHO Working Group estimated that around 1,400,000 adults aged 15 or over in Uganda were living with HIV; the prevalence was estimated at around 7.2% of the adult population compared to the prevalence percentage rate in adults in the UK of around 0.2%. You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS.

 

If you need emergency medical assistance during your trip, dial 999 and ask for an ambulance. You should contact your insurance/medical assistance company promptly if you are referred to a medical facility for treatment. 

 

Visas 

 

Foreign nationals need a visa to enter Uganda. You can get a visa from the Ugandan High Commission in your home country, or at Entebbe airport on arrival.

 

Ugandan immigration officers decide how long tourists are permitted to stay in Uganda when they enter the country. This is usually between 2 weeks and 3 months, and the immigration officer will normally enter a handwritten note of this period next to the entry stamp in your passport. You can be fined and/or imprisoned for overstaying your visa. You can apply to extend the period of your stay at Ugandan immigration headquarters on Jinja Road in Kampala.

 

For further information about entry requirements, visit the Ugandan Ministry of Internal Affairs website or email them at info@mia.go.ug. If you’re arriving by road, it’s usually easier to get a visa before you travel.

 

Passport validity

 

Your passport should be valid for a minimum period of 6 months from the date of entry into Uganda.

 

The Ugandan authorities have confirmed they will accept British passports extended by 12 months by British Embassies and Consulates under additional measures put in place in mid-2014

 

Emergency Travel Documents

 

Emergency Travel Documents (ETDs) are accepted for entry, airside transit and exit from Uganda. ETDs must be valid for 6 months.

 

Yellow fever

 

You must supply a yellow fever vaccination certificate if you have travelled from a country with risk of yellow fever. In practice it is best to have the certificate for all entries.