Home of Africa’s big 5 and the magnificent mountain gorillas, all in their natural habitats, Uganda is truly ‘the Pearl of Africa’. Astonishingly, that’s not all Uganda is known for. And if you are still contemplating on why or whether to travel to Uganda, there are a million reasons as to why visit Uganda.
However, as you travel or visit Uganda to discover the captivating allure of Uganda, a land of contrasts where lush forests house the rare magnificent mountain gorillas, there is much to know and expect.
With the ever warm local smiles welcoming you at Entebbe International Airport, Uganda’s major entry point, let’s dive you into a further guide on all you need to know on entry while travelling to Uganda.
Customs, Immigration and Security
Customs at Entebbe International Airport operates 24 hours, 7 days a week.
Visas and Passes
Any person intending to enter into Uganda should do so only for lawful purposes and in accordance with National immigration laws, guidelines and formalities. All visa prone nationalities must obtain visas to facilitate their entry into the country. Uganda visas may be obtained at Uganda missions abroad and online (no visas are issued on arrival). All travelers to the Republic of Uganda must have a valid Yellow Fever Immunization card.
| CATEGORY/ DESCRIPTION OF VISA | COST |
| Single entry | US$ 50 per individual |
| Multiple entry visa 6-12 months | US$ 100 |
| Multiple entry visa 24 months | US$ 150 |
| Multiple entry visa 36 months | US$ 200 |
| Students (Entry Visa for students who are not nationals of East African Cooperation.) | US$ 100 |
| East African Tourist Visa (Three months Multiple Entry for Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda) | US$ 100 |
| Residents of Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda travelling to any of the three countries can now enter the alternative Partner State. without paying for visas. | Fee Nil |
List of Visa Exempt Nationalities
Prompt Service
The Immigration booths in the Arrivals Hall at Entebbe airport have been modified and counters increased. Some of the booths installed are each manned by ever available personnel to attend to and facilitate fast service delivery.
The Authority has also introduced a fast tracking lane by dedicating one of the counters to specifically cater for passengers with special needs, first class and Business Class, crew and the like.
Is travelling to Uganda safe?
Yes. Uganda is a peaceful and generally calm country. Though with some revolts at times and insecurities in some areas, they are often optimistic crimes are mostly dealt with amicably with less violence.
Security
While travelling to Uganda, all people (Passengers, staff and general public) accessing the passenger and cargo terminal buildings at Entebbe airport are all subjected to security checks.
Any person seeking to attain access to the restricted areas at Entebbe International Airport for various purposes is required to write to the Aviation Security Manager, Uganda Civil Aviation Authority for security clearance way before the planned activity.
Security check for Passengers
On arrival, show passport and ticket at the departures level at the airport. You will be expected to remove gels, liquids, aerosols, electronic devices such as laptops, cameras, outer clothing such as shoes, jackets, caps, belts, jewelry, and all items from the pockets and place them in a container at the security screening machine.
Restricted items
Some of the restricted items on entry to Uganda through Entebbe airport include bleaching substances, paints/oxidisers, hand grenades, dynamite, lighter refills, knives of all types, drilling machines, golf clubs, pepper spray, scissors of all types, firearms, razor blade, pliers, ammunition, box cutters, mathematical instruments, cutting instruments of all types, hammers, flammable items, and teargas; radioactive materials, poisons, magnetic materials, tear gas and narcotic drugs.
Please ensure that any such items or those made or intended for offensive or defensive use are removed from your person or your baggage.
Animal parts or Animal products, wildlife trophies are prohibited and must never be carried in hand luggage or checked in baggage.
Baby feeds are permitted so long as the person who is in possession of them is travelling with the baby.
Don’t put these items in checked luggage
There are many other kinds of items that you should only have in your hand luggage or carry-on bag, or on your person, especially if it is hard to replace, very expensive, or necessary for your health and wellbeing. Examples include money related items, computers and personal electronic devices, passports and other identification, jewellery, expensive watches, precious metals, valuables, medications and medical devices, keys, eye glasses, documents and devices with electronic data. Unattended bags/ items
Please;
Do not leave your bags/items unattended
Keep your bags/items with you at all times
Any item(s) found unattended could be collected by Airport security and may be destroyed.
Report any unattended item(s) to the Airport Security or Airline Personnel
Duty Free Concessions
Travelers are entitled to the following duty free concessions if they are at least 18 years old or have been out of the country for over 24 hours.
| TYPE | AMOUNT |
| Wine | 1 litre |
| Perfume | ½ litre |
| Cigarettes, cigars etc | 250 gms |
| Spirits and liquors | 1 litre |
Regulations on taking food through Entebbe Airport
Telephone Services
You can opt to purchase Ugandan usable telephone cards at the mobile telephone booths with in the airport or access other Cellular telephone facilities and services. The various service providers provide details of their services and you can easily be directed by any on-duty airport staff. Airport intercom service is free of charge.
Postal Services
Entebbe International Airport Post Office opens between 0800-1245 & 1400-1700 Monday to Friday. On Saturday it opens from 0800 hrs to 1300 hrs and remains closed on Sundays. Postal, Fax, telephones, and Expedited mail services are available.
Banking and Forex Bureau De Change
Oh yes! You probably would wish to convert your currency to a local and tradeable currency. Commercial banking and Bureau De Change services are all available at the Departures and Arrivals level. Banks and Forex Bureau handle most convertible currencies. Although there are no currency restrictions in Uganda, hard currencies purchased from money dealers should be accompanied with an official receipt.
It is advisable to carry Traveler’s Cheques instead of large sums of cash. A few hotels and shopping points in Uganda accept credit cards.
The following Banks/Bureaus operate at the Airport;
Jetset Forex Bureau, Norfrax Forex Bureau, Orient Bank, Eco Bank, DFCU Bank, Barclays Bank
Does Entebbe Airport have WIFI?
Liquid telecom and Airtel provide free wireless internet (WIFI), which can be accessed from various passenger movement areas within the terminal building at Entebbe Airport. On departure, wireless internet can be accessed by departing passengers and other airport users in the Check-in area, Transit Concourse, Boarding Lounges and VIP. It is also accessible in the Arrivals Hall and Meeters and Greeters Area.
Do not forget:
Please make prior consultation and thorough inquiries with your tour guide or travel controller to better understand the dynamics there-are while travelling or visiting Uganda. This will save you some possible embarrassments and facilitate a safe and enjoyable travel to Uganda.
About Guide2Uganda
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