Visa Requirements
You will need to have a visa to enter Uganda. This can be obtained from the Ugandan representation in your country, or at the International airport at Entebbe (though expect a long queue if travelling at peak holiday times). If travelling by road, it is usually easier to get a visa from the Ugandan High Commission or Embassy before leaving the neighbouring country.

Driving (Left/Right)
Left

Road Safety
By far the biggest hazard you will encounter is other road users. Driving standards are low, vehicles are often poorly maintained and the accident rate is high. Other road users may well be driving without lights and livestock cross roads completely unpredictably. The Jinja-Kampala road is a particular accident black spot.

We strongly advise against driving after dark except in central Kampala and between Kampala and Entebbe International Airport for reasons of road safety and security. Always keep vehicle doors locked.

There have been a number of serious accidents involving Ugandan long distance bus services many of which ply the roads linking Kampala with Nairobi, Kigali and Dar es Salaam. In July 2005, a coach accident resulted in about 40 dead. Vehicles are often poorly maintained, and driven at excessive speed even on badly maintained roads. Furthermore there have been incidents on the overnight buses between Nairobi and Kampala when bandits posing as passengers have forced the buses to stop and have robbed the passengers. You are advised not to travel on these overnight long distance buses. Another common form of public transport is the matatu, usually a private minibus using a specific route. Though very cheap to use, matatus are generally in poor condition, badly driven and often without proper insurance cover. We therefore advise against using matatus and boda bodas (scooter taxis).

Air Safety
The EU has published a list of air carriers that are subject to an operating ban or restrictions within the community. You should check the following link to see whether this will affect your travel: http://europa.eu.int/comm/transport/air/safety/flywell_en.htm

Local Travel
You should avoid travel to northern and north eastern Uganda because of rebel insurgency and tribal clashes. The Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) (see Political Situation section) is thought to be responsible for a number of separate attacks in October and November 2005, against vehicles containing aid workers in northern Uganda and southern Sudan. These attacks resulted in the deaths of at least five people and others were seriously injured. If you are currently in northern Uganda you should exercise extreme caution, think carefully about your security and whether you need to remain. Some of the recent attacks have taken place in daylight hours and close to population centres.

We advise against travel to the region known as West Nile (Nebbi, Arua, Moyo and Yumbe districts in Uganda’s far north west), with the exception of trips to Arua town. Arua town should only be visited by air and you should remain within the confines of the town. Two US missionaries were murdered in Yumbe in March 2004. Ugandan armed forces are currently building up a stronger presence in West Nile, particularly along the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), in response to a move by the LRA into DRC.

The situation in eastern DRC remains extremely volatile and unpredictable. Presidential and parliamentary elections are due to be held in DRC on 30 July 2006. During the elections and months following, public demonstrations could flare up into trouble with little warning.

We advise against all travel to, or transiting by road, the following areas in northern Uganda: Gulu (including Murchison Falls National Park, the northern section of which lies in Gulu district), Kitgum, Pader, Adjumani, Apac and Lira districts. These are all areas where LRA activity has been the highest and most recent, including two fatal ambushes of vehicles on 1 and 3 October 2005 near Anyeke (just north of Murchison Falls National Park) and Kitgum respectively.

We advise against travel to Karamoja (Kotido, Moroto and Nakapiripirit Districts) in the north east. Lawlessness there is endemic (eg road ambushes). Tribal clashes are frequent and unpredictable.

The LRA attacked Teso sub region (Katakwi, Soroti and Kaberamaido Districts) in north eastern Uganda in 2003 and again in Katakwi in October 2005. We advise against travel in this area.

National Parks
We advise against travel to Murchison Falls National Park.

In April 2006, there were outbreaks of fighting between Ugandan forces and Congolese rebels along the border between DRC and western Uganda, particularly around the Semliki Forest Reserve and Semliki National Park to the south of Lake Albert. Anyone planning to visit this area should exercise caution and seek local advice before embarking on their journey.

In February 1999, six western tourists were murdered by Rwandan Interahamwe rebels in Bwindi National Park in south-west Uganda. Since then security in Bwindi has been tightened. In January 2006, there were clashes between dissidents and Government troops in North Kivu, in the east of the Democratic Republic Congo, close to the Bwindi and Mgahinga National Parks in Uganda. Anyone planning to visit this south-west corner of Uganda, including the National Parks, should exercise caution and seek local advice before embarking on their journey.

Because of the security situation in Karamoja, you should only visit Kidepo National Park in northern Kotido by air.

Health

We strongly advise that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. This should include cover for unexpected losses such as cancelled flights, stolen cash cards, passport or luggage. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake.

You should seek medical advice before travelling and ensure all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date.

Diseases
Serious illnesses, such as malaria and HIV/AIDS, are widespread in Uganda. Before leaving, you should take medical advice on appropriate anti-malaria medication and on arrival in Uganda, ensure you take precautions against being bitten by mosquitoes.

You should take medical advice on appropriate vaccinations before travelling. You should have a valid Yellow Fever vaccination certificate with you on arrival.

Because of poor sanitation there have been reports of outbreaks of cholera throughout Uganda, particularly in the north. Drink only sealed, bottled water. Levels of hygiene at eating places can be very low.

Medical supplies and facilities
Only limited medical facilities are available outside Kampala and, in the case of serious accident or illness an evacuation by air ambulance may be required.

Landmines

As a result of internal conflict and general unrest in the region, Uganda is contaminated with mines and unexploded ordnance (UXO) throughout its western, northern and central districts. According to the UN, some 400 square kilometers are suspected to be contaminated.

The areas most affected are: Luwero district north of Kampala and several other neighboring districts together known as the Luwero Triangle, where UXO remains after fighting in the early 1980s between government forces and the NRA; the western Rwenzori Mountains, primarily the districts of Kasese, Bundibugyo and Kabarole, where contamination is the result of infiltration in the late 1990s by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF); the north, where there is ongoing mine use by the LRA on a small-scale ad hoc basis. In May 2005, LRA was said to be operating in the districts of Gulu, Kitgum, Pader, Apac and Lira, and has occasionally launched attacks in Adjumani district.In addition, the West Nile region (Moyo and Arua districts) was mined during the 1979 war that ousted Idi Amin Dada.

Antipersonnel mines were used by both government forces and the NRA in the early 1980s and by rebel forces since that time in northern and western Uganda.

The Lord’s Resistance Army has waged an armed struggle against the Ugandan government for the past two decades, often from bases in southern Sudan and, in the past, with the support of the government of Sudan.