Over the years, Uganda has experienced an economic revival having gotten rid of instabilities from previous governments and promoted peace all over the country. It is on these grounds that different recreational activities have partaken business encouraging the public to embrace them.
To many, Uganda is majorly known as a Safari destination and a country with an astounding variety of flora fauna. However, below is what you really need to know prior to moving to Uganda.
- Visas to Uganda
Ugandan Visa
To attain a visa for moving into Uganda, it is always commended that you complete and ‘submit your visa’ application before the scheduled departure date. A Single entry visa can go for 50 USD payable on arrival in Uganda which visa remains valid for three months after the date of issue.
Multiple entry visas can also be gotten and are valid for six months. If one wishes to apply for an extended multiple entry visa (12 months, 24 months or 36 months) you must apply at the Ministry of Internal Affairs, in Kampala. However overstaying the period span of your visa will subject you to a fine of 30 USD per over stayed day, along with probable legal action.
- The Land and its People
Also known as the ‘Pearl of Africa’, Uganda is located at the heart of the African continent. The country has embraced two official languages; Swahili and English. Uganda is also home to 30 different indigenous lingoes.
More so, the country is referred to a cultural melting pot with diverse cultural segments. Moving to Uganda will expose you to a wealth of diverse music, food, social life, arts and crafts.
Upon moving to Uganda, you’ll uncover facts like, the country being made up of four main regions: Central, Eastern, Northern and Western, each with their own unique norms. The population is currently approximated at 38.8 million people.
- Uganda’s Climate
If probably you’re moving to Uganda, you might be happy to hear the country is home to a very tropical climate, with long spells of rain most common during the months of March to May, and October to November (light rain season). In-between these two periods are Uganda’s dry seasons.
Throughout most of the year, Uganda is warm and sunny, with temperatures at an average of 26°C – very rarely reaching above 29°C. Because of the temperature, we recommend expats opt for lightweight clothing and a warm cover-up to wear in the evenings. A good pair of walking shoes or boots is also wise, along with long-sleeved tops to help prevent mosquito bites.
Although it’s situated on the equator, Uganda is still more temperate than some of its surrounding areas, mainly thanks to its altitude. Most of the country is situated on a plateau, with a mountainous rim, making it more suited to agriculture. This also makes it less prone to tropical diseases than other nations close by.
- Main Tourist destinations
Uganda is drawing tourists once more thus becoming a rising star in the safari world. Recently, the country was awarded a top tourism award at the just concluded Idaba event, a one of a kind tourism and culture event in the world, which took place in South Africa.
According to the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) through its annual performance report, it revealed there was a 4.1% increase in the number of tourist arrivals through the gazetted border posts in 2017.
Kampala, the country’s capital, has a population of more than 2 million people and is one of the fastest growing cities on the continent. Its nearby neighbor town of Entebbe is set on a peninsula stretching into Lake Victoria.
In spite of previous instabilities faced by the country through rebel activities and previous governments, Uganda’s wildlife has made a phenomenal recovery.
Queen Elizabeth National Park nurtures healthy populations of elephant, lion, hippo and other large mammals, and is a major stop on the migratory bird route up the Great Rift Valley. In the Park, tourists can spend the day tracking lions with a researcher from the Uganda Carnivore Program, learning how telemetry works and venturing off road into parts of the park vehicles are normally verboten.
Kibale National Park is one of the best places in Africa to see chimpanzees in the wild and a home to 13 different primate species. Murchison Falls National Park is flush with hippos, crocodile and other animals that live in or near the water.
- Attractions within Urban Uganda
Situated next to Lake Victoria, largest water body in Africa, the town of Entebbe is renowned for its popular weekend beaches and clubs.
The capital, Kampala, is known for its vibrant nightlife, which runs a gamut from down and dirty dance clubs to sophisticated jazz venues.
Kampala boosts of the recently rebuilt royal tombs, a humungous mosque built by former Libyan strongman Moammar Gadhafi and the ghoulish torture chamber of Idi Amin on the grounds of Lubiri Palace.
The Nile High Bungee in Jinja offers an adrenalin-packed plunge (44 meters) into the world’s longest river. You can also board surf down rapids, whoosh down rivers on jetboats and organize sports fishing trips to catch the river monster of central Africa — Nile perch that can grow up to 200 kilograms.
- Ugandan embassy
There is currently a total of 31 embassies and high commissions overseas, maintained by Uganda, along with 42 consulates and other representations. Currently, the Ugandan capital Kampala, is home to 42 embassies and high commissions, and an additional 26 consulates.
All in all, Uganda is one of a king nation that is easily adoptable to by any race or culture given the hospitable nature of her population.
- Accommodation
Uganda offers a broad range of accommodation options. There are remote lodges providing an experience both luxurious and genuine.
Other lodges and camps are specifically located to give the best access to gorilla treks, some of which provide as close as it’s possible to get to a zero-footprint stay.
Kampala now boasts a choice of hotels, from the generic Sheraton to a more distinctive luxury boutique offering just outside the city.
And throughout there are safari lodges and villa-style accommodation to suit every taste. With therange of five star hotels to lovely guesthouses, one is guaranteed of a comfortable all round wonder night.
- Transportation
The 14-Passenger Taxi is the chief mode of transport for many Ugandans around the city centre and neighboring areas. These transport both people and their luggage from the taxi parks to destined stop centres.
You can always find a driver with a vehicle to transport you directly to a desired destination. Some driver companies that are at work in Uganda include the famous Uber. However, it is one thing to get a driver and vehicle that can take you to Entebbe Airport, it is another thing for that same driver to take you to Kidepo Valley Park in the remote Karamoja Region as different transport venues call for different drivers.
One can opt for a bus trip on a long distance to the wild. The type of Buses used are normally newer Buses and are imported as such, unlike the Taxi Mini-Buses that come to Uganda having seen better days elsewhere. Some Bus lines are known for giving better service and means of transport.
Bus Cautions – Do not take food or drink from other passengers as this food could be new to your body and might negatively affect your health. Keep your valuables with you.
When choosing to rent a car, you will need a 4-wheel drive vehicle that is road-worthy and checks out thoroughly. Fuel is about 1.40 USD per liter. Check for spare tire changing equipment. You will need an International Driver license or use your country’s license (for up to 6 months). You will need a log book, certificate of insurance.
Lake Victoria is the principal waterway with commercial traffic. In conjunction with train services, the railway companies of Uganda and Tanzania operate train ferries on the lake between railhead ports of the two countries and Kenya. These ferries load rail coaches and wagons. Jinja and Port Bell, on a 7 kilometres (4 mi) branch line from Kampala, are the railheads for Uganda, connecting to Mwanza, Tanzania and Kisumu, Kenya.
Boda boda transport services have grown from small beginnings in the 1960s to now an approximately 30,000 just in the Central Business District (CBD) of Kampala. There has been diversity in the Boda boda industry with an upgrade to mobile app directed Boda boda trips such as Safe boda, Uber and Bolt. For a quick and faster navigation to beat the city evening jam, the Boda boda will work out the service.
However, the Safest Way by far to get around Uganda is with licensed Tour Operators.
“Leave the Driving to us, We know how to safely get you around on Safari in the Pearl of Africa, we know Uganda, we live and work here,” a common Safari quote reads.
- The country’s Rules and Regulations
Apart from the left hand drive rule to the one passage per motorcycle, visitors to Uganda must have a valid visa in accordance with national immigration laws, guidelines and formalities.
A visitor should also be cautioned to stay in the range of the given visa time span as a mere extra day in the country could cost him/her un desired fines.
The Government of Uganda allows passengers 18 years of age and over (except those returning from visits to Kenya and Tanzania) to import the following items without customs duties:
- 250 grams of tobacco products
- 1 liter of spirits (including liquors) and 1 liter of wine
- 1 pint of perfume and eau de toilette, of which not more than one quarter of a pint may be perfume
- personal effects up to a value of max $500
Note: Uganda requires meat and poultry importers to obtain a “Sanitary Import Permit” from the Director of Veterinary Services before declaring these items at customs.
Foreign currencies: There is no limit on the amount of foreign currency a traveler can bring into Uganda, provided he/she declares the currency upon arrival.
- Fun
The last thing you need with you to Uganda, is FUN! With varied embellishments Uganda has to share, the least of things one could cheat of him/herself is Fun. Spanning from the welcoming culture, varied topography and the chilly climate, one would enjoy his/her visit to the maximum. Travel, learn and live.
About Guide2Uganda
Guide2Uganda (www.guide2uganda.ug) is the most comprehensive source of information about Uganda that exists on the web, with more content on Uganda and surrounding towns, attractions, museums and galleries than any other online guide that currently exists for Uganda as well as being a dynamic news and comprehensive events driven site with content being added daily.
According to WeFollow & Peer Index (whom both measure online influence) we are among the most influential online media organizations in Uganda. We were also awarded for ‘’Best Destination Website in Uganda’’ by Jumia Travel Uganda in the 2017-2018 Africa Travel Awards. If you are planning a visit to Uganda you can always reach us on; info@guide2uganda.ug
