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Uganda
Country Specific Information
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May 06, 2008
COUNTRY DESCRIPTION:
Uganda is a landlocked, developing country in central eastern Africa. Infrastructure is adequate in Kampala, the capital,
but is limited in other areas. Read the Department of State Background Notes on Uganda for additional information.
ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: A passport valid for three months beyond the date of entry, visa and evidence of yellow fever vaccination are required. Visas are available at Entebbe Airport upon arrival or may be obtained from the Embassy of the Republic of Uganda. The current fee for a three month tourist visa obtained upon arrival at Entebbe Airport is $50.00. Airline companies may also require travelers to have a visa before boarding. Travelers should obtain the latest information and details from the Embassy of the Republic of Uganda at 5911 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20011; telephone (202) 726-7100; web site: http://www.ugandaembassy.com; e-mail: info@ugandaembassyus.org . Travelers may also contact the Ugandan Permanent Mission to the United Nations, telephone (212) 949-0110. Overseas, inquiries may be made at the nearest Ugandan embassy or consulate.
Information about dual nationality or the prevention of international child abduction can be found on our web site. For further information about customs regulations, please read our Customs Information sheet.
SAFETY AND SECURITY: U.S. citizens living in or planning to visit Uganda should be aware of threats to their safety from insurgent groups and banditry, particularly in the northern region near the border with Sudan and along the western and southwestern borders with the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Insurgent groups have in the past specifically targeted U.S. citizens. They have engaged in murder, armed attacks, kidnapping, and the placement of land mines. Although isolated, incidents occur with little or no warning.
Due to security concerns from potential insurgent activity or armed banditry, U.S. Government employees must have prior authorization from the U.S. Chief of Mission in Uganda to visit the following districts: Abim, Adjumani, Amolatar, Amuria, Amuru (Amuru District includes the segment of Murchison Falls National Park that is north of the Victoria Nile River), Apac, Arua, Bundibugyo, Dokolo, Gulu, Kaabong, Kaberamaido, Katakwi, Kitgum, Koboko, Kotido, Lira, Maracha-Terego, Moroto, Moyo, Nakapiripirit, Nebbi, Oyam, Pader, and Yumbe. Note: Prior authorization is not required by employees to travel to the towns of Lira, Gulu, Kitgum, and Pader provided the travel is only during daylight hours on designated primary roads and the employee does not conduct any activity outside of the town limits.
Northern Uganda:
American citizens traveling to northern Uganda, especially in those districts bordering southern Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, are advised to exercise caution due to insurgent activity and lawlessness. Negotiations between the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) insurgent group and the Government of Uganda continue, but reports indicate that the LRA has resumed attacks on civilian populations in the neighboring Democratic Republic of the Congo, southern Sudan, and the Central African Republic. Absent a comprehensive peace agreement, there remains a potential for conflict and continued attacks by LRA-affiliated groups and individuals within the region. In addition, other armed groups operate in remote areas of the lawless border region and pose a threat to safety and security. The Government of Uganda is deploying additional civilian police officers throughout the northern districts, yet these civilian police officers lack critical resources: transportation, facilities, and equipment. Banditry-related activities often go unchallenged due to lack of a robust civilian police presence in northern Uganda.
LRA road ambushes and attacks in northern Uganda and southern Sudan killed both foreign nationals and Ugandan citizens in 2005 and early 2006. One attack that killed a foreign national in November 2005 took place within the boundaries of Murchison Falls National Park, a popular tourist destination. Following the 2005 attack within Murchison Falls National Park, the Ugandan Government strengthened its security presence within the park environs. When visiting the park, American citizens are advised to restrict all activity on the northern bank of the Victoria Nile River to the game viewing area west of Paraa Safari Lodge known as the “Buligi Circuit” or the “Delta Circuit Area.”
In March 2004, two Americans were killed in Yumbe District by a group of armed men who attacked the school compound where the Americans were working as missionaries. The Americans were taken out of their home and murdered. The murders were never solved and the motives behind the school attack remain unclear.
American citizens traveling to northern Uganda are advised to ensure that they have made appropriate travel, lodging, and communication arrangements with their sponsoring organization before visiting the region. Local officials in northern Uganda have expressed concern for the safety and security of foreigners visiting Internally Displaced People (IDP) camps, and have also expressed concern about foreign nationals traveling to the region apparently to assist with relief efforts, but without any specific arrangements with a sponsoring organization. Foreign citizens who travel to the region without a sponsoring organization may not find secure lodging or safe transport, and may become more susceptible to crime. They may also find that local officials are unable to provide assistance in the event of an emergency.
Armed banditry and attacks on vehicles are also very common in the Karamoja region of northeastern Uganda, and the Uganda People's Defense Forces (UPDF) continues to implement a program to disarm Karamojong warriors. Past incidents have included ambushes of UPDF troops, and attacks on vehicles, residences, and towns that resulted in multiple deaths. Most of the violence occurred in the districts of Kaabong, Kotido, and Abim, although some violent incidents also occurred in Moroto and Nakapiripirit Districts. American citizens are advised to avoid travel to the Karamoja region given the frequent insecurity.
Southwestern and Western Uganda:
On August 8, 2007, a group of armed assailants entered Uganda from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and raided Butogota, a town in Kanungu District. Three Ugandans were killed and many others assaulted during the raid. Ugandan officials believe that the perpetrators of the attack were members of one of the various militia groups operating in the southwestern region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, or possibly remnants of the "Interahamwe," a group that participated in the 1994 genocide in Rwanda and was also responsible for the 1999 attack on Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The 1999 Bwindi attack killed four Ugandans and eight foreign tourists. The 2007 raid on Butogota is in a district transited by tourists traveling to Bwindi, a popular gorilla-trekking destination. Within Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, armed security personnel accompany tourists on the daily gorilla hikes and the UPDF maintains a military presence within the park. At Ishasha Camp, another popular tourist destination located in the southern sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, the UPDF also maintains a small military base for security purposes.
In 2006 and 2007 further north along the western border, the UPDF intercepted and engaged elements of another insurgent group that had entered Uganda from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In September 2006, the UPDF killed six members of the Allied Democratic Front (ADF) rebel group in two separate incidents. On March 27, 2007, the UPDF engaged a group of suspected ADF rebels in Bundibugyo District, killing 34 and capturing five others. On April 13, 2007, the UPDF intercepted another group of suspected ADF rebels, engaging in an intense firefight approximately two kilometers from the Semliki Safari Lodge. No additional incidents have been reported in the Semliki area since the spring 2007 ADF incursion into Uganda.
There have also been several violent incidents on Lake Albert, a lake in western Uganda intersected by the international border between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. On August 2, 2007, a British citizen employed by an oil exploration company was killed during a firefight that occurred between a UPDF boat and an armed Congolese group that had approached an oil exploration vessel. On September 24, 2007, another firefight occurred on the lake between UPDF and Congolese military forces that resulted in multiple fatalities.
Eastern Uganda:
Although relatively secure in past years, during early 2008 there were two security incidents in the area of Mount Elgon National Park in eastern Uganda. In February 2008, a Belgian tourist climbing Mt. Elgon in the company of park rangers was shot and killed. The attack occurred while the group was camped for the night and assailants fired into the campsite. The tourist was reportedly struck by gunfire when exiting her tent in the darkness. Ugandan security and park officials suspected that the attack was perpetrated by smugglers engaged in cattle rustling or other illicit activities that are common in the border area.
In March 2008, the Kenyan Government initiated military operations against the Sabaot Land Defence Force (SLDF) militia group on the Kenyan side of the Mt. Elgon area. The Ugandan Government also increased military troop deployments and security patrols in the Mt. Elgon area, and intercepted a number of armed militia members apparently seeking refuge in the caves and rough terrain found at the higher elevations of Mt. Elgon. Before planning to climb Mt. Elgon, American citizens should obtain up-to-date information regarding security on the mountain and the status of military operations against the SLDF from either the U.S. Embassy in Kampala or the Ugandan Wildlife Authority (UWA).
Demonstrations:
Demonstrations take place in Kampala and other Ugandan cities from time to time in response to world events or local developments.
In most cases, these demonstrations occur with no warning and demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational
and possibly violent. American citizens are therefore urged to avoid the areas of demonstrations if possible, and to exercise
caution if they find themselves in the vicinity of any demonstration. American citizens should stay current with media coverage
of local events and be aware of their surroundings at all times. Because many demonstrations are spontaneous events, the
U.S. Embassy may not always be able to alert American citizens that a demonstration is taking place and to avoid a specific
area. If employed with an institution or other large organization, American citizens may find it helpful and request that
local employees notify expatriates when they learn of a demonstration from local radio reports or other sources. Recent protests
have occurred over land disputes involving Kampala market areas, university closures and strikes, opposition party demonstrations,
and protests by taxi drivers over the enforcement of traffic regulations.
For the latest security information, Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department’s web site at http://travel.state.gov where the current Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts, and the current Worldwide Caution can be found.
Up-to-date information on safety and security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S. and Canada, or for callers outside the U.S. and Canada, a regular toll-line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
The Department of State urges American citizens to take responsibility for their own personal security while traveling overseas. For general information about appropriate measures travelers can take to protect themselves in an overseas environment, see the Department of State’s pamphlet A Safe Trip Abroad.
CRIME: Crimes such as pick pocketing, purse snatching, and thefts from hotels and parked vehicles or vehicles stalled in traffic jams are common. The Embassy receives frequent reports of theft of items from locked vehicles, even when the stolen items were secured out of sight and the vehicle was parked in an area patrolled by uniformed security personnel. Pick pocketing and the theft of purses and bags is also very common on public transportation. Armed robberies of pedestrians also occur, sometimes during daylight hours and in public places. Although infrequent, the Embassy also receives reports of armed carjackings and highway robbery. In May 2007, two American citizens reported an attempted robbery when they were traveling near the town of Bugiri in eastern Uganda. The Americans reported that a second vehicle with at least one armed assailant tried to stop their vehicle by forcing it off the road. This incident occurred during daylight hours. On June 27, 2007, two American citizens were robbed and held at gunpoint when the vehicle transporting them to Entebbe Airport was stopped by a group of armed men. This incident occurred during the early morning hours on Entebbe Road. Although some of these attacks are violent, victims are generally injured only if they resist. U.S. Embassy employees are advised against using roads at night, especially in areas outside the limits of cities and large towns. Home burglaries also do occur and sometimes turn violent. In April 2008, the Ugandan police reported an increase in armed robberies in the Kampala neighborhoods of Bukoto, Kisaasi, Kiwatule, Naalya, Najera, and Ntinda. Several of these robberies occurred as the victims were arriving at their residences after nightfall and the assailants struck as they were entering their residential compounds.
Women traveling alone are particularly susceptible to becoming crime victims. In early 2008, there was an increase in reports of sexual assaults against expatriate females. In some instances, the victims were walking alone, or were single passengers on one of the common modes of public transport which include "boda boda" motorcycle taxis. If the victim of a sexual assault, medical assistance should be sought immediately and counseling provided regarding prophylactic treatment to help prevent the transmission of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. A list of local medical providers can be found on the U.S. Embassy website at http://kampala.usembassy.gov/.
American citizens visiting Uganda are advised not to accept food or drink offered from a stranger, even a child, because such food may contain narcotics used to incapacitate a victim and facilitate a robbery or sexual assault. In addition, patrons of bars, casinos, nightclubs, and other entertainment centers should never leave their drink or food unattended. When visiting such establishments, it is advisable to remain with a group of friends as single individuals are more likely to be targeted. Victims have included female patrons who reported they were drugged, and taken to another location and sexually assaulted. Robberies have been facilitated on public transportation under similar circumstances. In 2006, an American citizen traveling by bus from Kenya to Uganda was incapacitated and robbed on the bus when the passenger accepted a sealed beverage from a fellow traveler. Expatriates traveling by bus to the popular tourist destination of Bwindi Impenetrable National Forest in southwest Uganda were also incapacitated and robbed when they accepted snacks from fellow bus passengers.
There has been a recent, marked increase in financial crime, including fraud involving wire transfers, credit cards, checks, and advance fee fraud perpetrated via email. The U.S. Embassy recommends using money orders for all fund transfers and protecting all bank account information.
An increasing number of U.S. exporters (primarily vendors of expensive consumer goods such as computers, stereo equipment, and electronics) have been targeted by a sophisticated check fraud scheme. A fictitious company in Uganda locates a vendor on the Internet, makes e-mail contact to order goods, and pays with a third-party check. The checks, written on U.S. accounts and made out to entities in Uganda for small amounts, are intercepted, washed and presented for payment of the goods with the U.S. vendor as payee and an altered amount. If the goods are shipped before the check clears, the U.S. shipper will have little recourse, as the goods are picked up at the airport and the company cannot be traced. American companies receiving orders from Uganda are encouraged to check with the Economic and Commercial Section in the Embassy to verify the legitimacy of the company. The Embassy strongly cautions U.S. vendors against accepting third-party checks as payment for any goods to be shipped to Uganda.
Additional information about the most common types of financial fraud can also be found within the State Department’s International Financial Scams Brochure.
INFORMATION FOR VICTIMS OF CRIME: The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to the local police and the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. If you are the victim of a crime while overseas, in addition to reporting to local police, please contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate for assistance. The embassy/consulate staff can, for example, assist you to find appropriate medical care, contact family members or friends and explain how funds could be transferred. Although the investigation and prosecution of the crime is solely the responsibility of local authorities, consular officers can help you to understand the local criminal justice process and to find an attorney if needed. See our information on Victims of Crime.
MEDICAL FACILITIES AND HEALTH INFORMATION: Medical facilities in Uganda, including Kampala, are limited and not equipped to handle most emergencies, especially those requiring surgery. Outside Kampala, hospitals are scarce and offer only basic services. Equipment and medicines are often in short supply or unavailable. Travelers should carry their own supplies of prescription drugs and preventive medicines. A list of medical providers is available at the U.S. Embassy.
Malaria is prevalent in Uganda. Travelers who become ill with a fever or flu-like illness while traveling in a malaria-risk area and up to one year after returning home should seek prompt medical attention and tell the physician their travel history and what antimalarials they have been taking. For additional information on malaria, including protective measures, see the CDC Travelers’ Health web site at http://www.cdc.gov/malaria/travel/index.htm.
Information on vaccinations and other health precautions, such as safe food and water precautions and insect bite protection, may be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s hotline for international travelers at 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747) or via the CDC’s web site at http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/default.aspx. For information about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad consult the World Health Organization’s (WHO) web site at http://www.who.int/en. Further health information for travelers is available at http://www.who.int/ith. Uganda has experienced recent outbreaks of Marburg Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever, Pneumonic Plague, Meningitis, and other types of infectious diseases.
MEDICAL INSURANCE: The Department of State strongly urges Americans to consult with their medical insurance company prior to traveling abroad to confirm whether their policy applies overseas and whether it will cover emergency expenses such as a medical evacuation. Please see our information on medical insurance overseas.
TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS: While in a foreign country, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States. The information below concerning Uganda is provided for general reference only, and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance.
Most inter-city transportation in Uganda is by small van or large bus. Many drivers of these vehicles have little training and some are reckless. Small vans and large buses are often poorly maintained, travel at high speeds, and are the principal vehicles involved in the many deadly single and multi-vehicle accidents along Ugandan roads. Large trucks on the highways are often over-loaded, with inadequately secured cargo and poor braking systems. Alcohol frequently is a contributing factor in road accidents, particularly at night. Drivers are advised to take extra care when driving. Nighttime driving and road transportation should be avoided whenever possible. Pedestrians often walk in the roads and may not be visible to motorists. Large branches or rocks in the road sometimes indicate an upcoming obstruction or other hazard. Highway travel at night is particularly dangerous, including the road between Entebbe Airport and Kampala. The Embassy recommends caution on this road and use of a reliable taxi service to and from the airport.
Traffic accidents draw crowds. Ugandan law requires that the drivers stop and exchange information and assist any injured persons. In some cases where serious injury has occurred, there is the possibility of mob anger. In these instances, Ugandans often do not get out of their cars, but drive to the nearest police station to report the accident.
Please refer to our Road Safety page for more information. For specific information concerning Ugandan driving permits, vehicle inspection, road tax and
mandatory insurance, please contact the Uganda Tourist Board, IPS building, 14, Parliament Avenue, Kampala, Uganda; telephone
256-414-342196. You may also wish to consult their web site at http://www.visituganda.com, or, for information on government agencies, see http://myuganda.co.ug.
AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT: As there is no direct commercial air service to the United States by carriers registered in Uganda, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not assessed Uganda’s Civil Aviation Authority for compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards. For more information, travelers may visit the FAA’s web site at http://www.faa.gov/safety/programs_initiatives/oversight/iasa.
International airlines offer several weekly flights to Europe, and Kenya Airways has daily flights between Entebbe Airport and Nairobi. Other regional airlines operate weekly flights to other destinations in Africa, such as Dar es Salaam, Addis Ababa, Cairo, and Johannesburg.
SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES: Please note that U.S. currency notes in $20 and $50 denominations are exchanged at a lower rate than $100 currency notes. In addition, travelers often find that they cannot exchange or use U.S. currency printed earlier than the year 2000. Travelers who find they cannot pay for accommodation or expenses often must request that friends or family wire money to them in Uganda. There are offices that facilitate Western Union, MoneyGram, and other types of money transfers in Kampala and other cities throughout the country. ATMs are available in Uganda, particularly in downtown Kampala, but usually only customers who have an account with a specific Ugandan bank may use them. A few machines function with overseas accounts.
Ugandan Customs authorities may enforce strict regulations concerning the importation of pets. A Ugandan import permit is required, along with an up-to-date rabies vaccination certificate and a veterinary certificate of health issued by a USDA-approved veterinarian no more than thirty days before arrival. Travelers are advised to contact the Ugandan Embassy in the United States for specific information regarding customs requirements. Please see our Customs Information.
Photography in tourist locations is permitted. However, taking pictures of military/police installations or personnel is prohibited. Military and police officers have detained tourists for taking photographs of Entebbe Airport and of the area around Owen Falls Dam, near Jinja, although the prohibition on taking photographs is not publicly displayed on signs.
The U.S. Embassy receives frequent inquiries from American citizens wishing to register a nongovernmental organization (NGO) in Uganda. Information about registering an NGO can be obtained from the Ugandan NGO Board which has offices within the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The NGO Board can be reached on phone number: 256 414 341 556. One of the requirements for registering an NGO is that a foreign national employee must provide a Certificate of Good Conduct/Criminal Background Check. The U.S. Embassy Kampala cannot provide this service, so American citizens intending to travel to Uganda as an employee of an NGO or who plan to register an NGO should obtain a Certificate of Good Conduct from their local police or the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) before departing the United States. More information on how to obtain a Criminal Background Check can be found on the FBI web site at http://www.fbi.gov/hq/cjisd/fprequest.htm.
CRIMINAL PENALTIES: While in a foreign country, a U.S. citizen is subject to that country's laws and regulations, which sometimes differ significantly from those in the United States and may not afford the protections available to the individual under U.S. law. Penalties for breaking the law can be more severe than in the United States for similar offenses. Persons violating Ugandan laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested or imprisoned. Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Uganda are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines. Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime, prosecutable in the United States. Please see our information on Criminal Penalties.
CHILDREN'S ISSUES: For information on international adoption of children and international parental child abduction, see the Office of Children’s Issues web pages.
REGISTRATION / EMBASSY LOCATION: Americans living or traveling in Uganda are encouraged to register with the U.S. Embassy through the State Department’s travel registration web site so that they can obtain updated information on travel and security within Uganda. Americans without Internet access may register directly with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. By registering, American citizens make it easier for the Embassy or Consulate to contact them in case of emergency. The U.S. Embassy is located at 1577 Ggaba Road, Kampala; telephone 256-414-259-791 or 256 414 306 001; fax 256-414-258-451; e-mail: Kampalauscitizen@state.gov. The U.S. Embassy web site is http://kampala.usembassy.gov.
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This replaces the Country Specific Information dated October 25, 2007, to update sections on Entry/Exit Requirements, Safety
and Security, Crime, Medical Facilities and Health Information, Special Circumstances, and Registration/Embassy Location.
