Uganda is an East African land-locked country situated 1,238km from Kampala, the Capital City to the Indian Ocean via Mombasa an approximate drive of 21 hours and 35 minutes. The total area is 241,038 square km, of which over 18% is water and swamp. The immensely and naturally endowed country is served by road, rail, inland water and air transport modes.
With a total of 159,363 km road network, Road is by far the dominant transport mode in terms of scale of infrastructure and the volume of freight and people movements. It is the cheapest, most convenient and most widely used transport mode in and around the country.
The Uganda railway network totals to 1,244 Km. Of these, only the Central Kampala -Malaba line and the Spur lines to the international ferry terminals on Lake Victoria – 21% of the network – remain officially operational mainly transporting cargo and less urban population between Kampala town and Namanve, a city suburb.
Uganda is served by one truly international airport, which is Entebbe International airport with Kabale international airport located in the oil rich area of Hoima district in advance construction stages.
Rivers, lakes, and wetlands cover about 18 percent of Uganda’s total surface, and most of these water bodies are navigable with motor boats, ferries and local boats commonly used.
As always, at Guide2uganda, we are so optimistic to making your visit to the Pearl of Africa worthwhile coupled with knowledge ability to knowing more about destination Uganda. We have listed you the Top 10 Transport options in Uganda with safety, urgency and when to be used discussed. Take a look:
- Air Transport
Uganda has an active air transport mode. Airlines flying to the Country’s hub at Entebbe International Airport operate both inbound and outbound regional and international commercial passenger and cargo flights. They are licensed, regulated and registered by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), the International Air Transport Association (IATA) among other International air transport organizations and associations.
With the relaunch of Uganda airlines as the National carrier in August 2019, Air transport is majorly opted for by over sea visitors travelling longer distances and travelers with urgent tasks up hand including businessmen and women, tourists, Family visit travelers, VIPs, among other individuals. Some of the active International Airlines flying to and from Uganda include; Brussels Airlines, Ethiopian Airlins, Egypt Air, Air Arabia, Turkish Airlines, Kenya Airways, KLM Royal Dutch and RwandAir.
Internal/domestic flights are favorable for tourists visiting distant and remote national parks or tourists that wish to have a tour over head the pearl of Africa with the urge to dive into scenic aerial views of motherland Uganda and its natural features. Some of the experienced domestic air transport companies and operators include Aero Link, Eagle Air, MAF Uganda among others. Domestic flights can also be opted for incase of medical emergencies and evacuations for severely ill patients especially from remote rural areas at service of trusted companies such as AMREF Flying Doctors.
2. Special Hires
For a safe and personally customised travel, one can opt for a special hire to a desired destination. Or else, rent out a car and it’s driver to transport him/her to the destination of choice. This is the widest used option by tourists given its range of customised travel. Through tour companies, visitors arrange and book for their itineraries which include transportation. They are then transported to different destinations by a qualified and highly professional diver in company of a tour guide(s). This option of transport is highly organised and safe for visitors therefore highly recommended.
3. Mini-Bus Taxi
Out for an exiting travel that will enable you dive into the Ugandan way to the core, then this is a transport option you should try out while in Uganda. You cannot set foot into destination Uganda and fail to recognise the white, blue, green, maroon among other colors of the ever horning mini-bus Taxis around major cities.
This is another public transport option besides the usual Toyota hiace blue belt designated drones for the locals getting to and from the Central Business Centers. The fourteen- to twenty-seater privately owned and mostly old minibus taxis transverse Ugandan cities with majority operating around Kampala city. They transport their passengers to markets, schools, work places and health facilities serving societal members among other purposes.
On the contrary, these taxis put profitability ahead of service and therefore the quality of service they offer is usually minimum. However, for wonder last adventure, trying out this transport mode will get you understanding the daily transport experience of locals here.
4. Motorbike/ Boda boda
With the ever growing urban population in Uganda, Motor cycles/Boda bodas are the fastest and most efficient transport options to juggle through traffic, and in case your time-bad, these will work out wonders through the busy streets.
Jump onto a boda boda and you will seamlessly transverse even the most difficult parts of the city to far end corners of downtown and surrounding suburbs. The down side of this transport option is that riders are moderately professional and charge random fees even for the same distances apart from those operating under regulatory companies. This leaves the industry at risk and consequence of poor road usage exposing passengers to danger.
5. Bus
Buses are a better option for intra-transportation especially over longer distances and for bigger numbers of travelers. Buses transit passengers from designated bus parks to towns and trading centres all over Uganda. With major highways navigable, a Bus trip will be a worthwhile experience on exploring Uganda. With numerous stop overs, road side vendors, humps and bumps, not forgetting plenty of unique landscapes along the way, trying out this option is highly recommended.
6. In land water
A number of Ugandan lakes are navigable with parts of some rivers also used for transport. River Nile, the world’s longest, is one of the main and constantly traversed by travellers. Given that some tourist attractions are found offshore on islands, for example Gamba chimpanzee reserve, one would opt to use water transport.
Motor boats, local boats and ferries can help out reach desired destinations. Also be a part of the wonderful boat cruises often undertaken on Ugandan lakes such as lake Victoria-Africa’s largest, and Bunyonyi-Africa’s second deepest. Canoeing on these lakes is also an exciting adventure. White water rafting along the Nile will raise your adrenaline as you hold on to tour tumpline boat through the rapids and falls at Murchison falls.
7. Uber
This is a common motorcycle or taxi transport option due to its worldwide identity, run by the global company Uber. Using an Uber taxi is a safe transport option. Given that the vehicle in transit and the driver are all registered and the voyage monitored in real time, there are less crimes associated with this transport mode.
Uber drivers are highly professional and trained to take on trips and care for customers in the most responsible way. This transport option is highly recommended for night travel due to its safety record. However, using an Uber is favorable for shorter distances as prices could shoot higher over longer distances.
8. Safe Boda
Safe boda is an advanced digital controlled transport Company. The business has two wallet payment options that includes; digital through safe boda credit and cash. The availability of contactless payments has helped organize the boda boda business in Uganda.
Well as it operates as a motorcycle passenger transport business, safe boda is by far different from the traditional boda bodas. All trips are booked and requested through their mobile application. As its name suggests, using a safe boda is safer. Riders are registered by the parent company which makes makes this transport option trusted. This transport option even includes an option to exclusively and safely send other goods/ machadise not forgetting money. Interesting, not so!
9 Train/rail
A small percent of the rail network in Uganda is used to transport people and cargo. Less numbers of the urban dwellers travel between Kampala city centre and Namanve on a daily using the train. One could opt to use the train so as to experience the feel on a Ugandan train trip. And yes, it is a whole different experience.
10. Bicycle
Though used by a lesser minority, bicycles can still be traced in the semi developed parts of cities in Uganda. Bicycles are typically ancient rural transport modes but still suffice majorly in the transportation of relatively simpler cargo around bus parks and taxi parks in Ugandan towns and cities.
Passenger transportation on bicycles can still be traced in some towns although considered out fashioned. However, while visiting the local communities around parks or even simple towns in Uganda, you can opt for this option and trust me not; it will be a trip that will cover your face in smiles as they pedal you through the suburbs and rural areas on human generated energy unlike for motorcycle boda bodas that use fuel.
So there you have it. Uganda is an interesting destination to pay a courtesy visit. Given the hospitality of her citizens, your stay is always memorable and comfortable. However, you are highly advised to seek advice before travel or only marvel around the Country with a trusted and registered tour operator/ company approved by the Uganda Tourism Board so as to experience Uganda the best way possible and safely. Well as transit around the country is purely different from the normal, the experience navigating through the Pearl of Africa is quite mind-blowing as there’s a whole lot to take back home.
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About Guide2Uganda
Guide2Uganda (www.guide2uganda.ug) is the most comprehensive source of travel information about Uganda that exists on the web, with more content on its cities & towns, accommodation, attractions, events, museums and galleries than any other online guide that currently exists for Uganda; as well as being a dynamic travel news and events driven site with fresh content added daily.
According to WeFollow & Peer Index (that measure online influence), we are among the most influential online media organizations in Uganda. Guide2Uganda was also awarded ‘’Best Destination Website in Uganda’’ by Jumia Travel Uganda in the 2018 Africa Travel Awards.
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