Travel Guide - Uganda

Uganda

Known as the Pearl of Africa, Uganda is a beautiful land-locked country famous for her rich culture, her lush green topography and her Mountain gorillas. Every year tourists come to the extreme south-western corner of the country to see the amazing mountain gorillas. Other attractions include the 43 metre-high Murchison Falls along the Victoria Nile, Bujagali Falls famous for kayaking and bungee jumping, the Rwenzori Mountain and the tombs of Buganda Kings at Kasubi in Kampala which are listed as a World Heritage site.

Climate

Since Uganda lies on the equator, there is minimal change in temperature and no real winter or summer. Hottest months are January and February when average daytime range is 24-33°C with highs of up to 40°C in the northern areas. The south has two wet seasons: from mid- September to November and March to May. The dry season is from December to February and June - July. With 1000 to 2000mm of rain annually, it can rain at almost any time. The north, including Murchison Falls and Kidepo Valley, has one continuous wet season from March to November and a dry season from December to February.

Topography

Located on the equator, Uganda is mostly plateau with a rim of Mountains. The country lies inside the the Great Lakes region, with Lake Edward, Lake Albert, and Lake Victoria. Uganda is landlocked and is located within the eastern plateau region of African between the eastern and western ridges of the Great Rift Valley. Near the borders several mountain masses stands out strikingly from the Plateau.

Language

Official language is English. Other commonly spoken languages include Swahili and Luganda.

Electric Supply

Installations are of British standard and appliances should be fitted with a square, three in plugs of the British style. The voltage is 240 Volts 50 Hz for domestic use. The voltage fluctuates continually, however and proper surge protectors are advisable for any expensive equipment.

Time

Three hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GTM+3).

Banking Hours

Banks are generally open from 08:30hrs to 14:00 hours on weekdays and from 08:30 hours to 12:00 hours on Saturdays. Forex bureaus are open 09:00 to 17:00 hours on weekdays and 09:00 to 13:00 hours on Saturdays. ATMS are available in all the major towns.

Communication

Communication includes a system of Telephone, Radio and Television broadcasts, Internet, mail, and several Newspapers,Telex, Fax and Airmail services. International direct calling is available at most hotels and the several Internet cafes.

Medical Services

Uganda has good health services, with some good Government and Private Hospitals and Clinics in the major cities. Air rescue services are available.

Currency

Uganda shilling (UGX) Notes are in denominations of 50,000, 20,000, 10,000, 5,000 and 1,000. Coins are in denominations of UGX 500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1. You can exchange money at banks and hotels although Forex Bureaus usually have better rates.

Credit Cards

International credit cards are accepted in the major Hotels, Restaurants and Shops.

Working Hours

Shops and businesses are generally open from 08:30 hours and 17:30 hours on weekdays, with a lunch break between 13:00 hours and 14:00 hours. Some businesses are open on Saturday at least until Midday.

Public Holidays

Customs Regulations

Free import

For 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 100 cigarillos or 500g of tobacco. 1L of spirits upto 25% volume of alcohol or 2L of lighter alcohol beverages up to 25% volume of alcohol. Non-commercial amount of gifts and other items for personal use.

Restricted items

Live animals – health certificate required along with complete and valid inoculations. Endangered species and any products or parts thereof as outlined by CITES maybe be brought in only with CITES permission. Hunting weapons permissible only with authorisation obtainable from Ministry of Interior.

Prohibited items

Narcotics, Pornography, Counterfeit items, Cultural artefacts and other objects of cultural importance, Henna, Palm tree and any products thereof and Explosive material

Health Requirements

All visitors are advised to take an antimalarial prophylactic beginning two weeks before the arrival and continuing for six weeks after their departure. A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travellers over one year of age coming from countries with infected areas. Other travellers are strongly advised to obtain vaccination against the disease before visiting the country.