馃 Uganda

Official government travel advice

Advice changes quickly. Check it before you travel and again before you leave.

Costs

Prices here are about 35% of US prices (World Bank, 2025). This compares a country's overall prices, not the cost of a trip.

Practical information

Entry

Which visa is needed depends on the passport, so use the official site linked below. Sources say Uganda has an online e-Visa. Reported at USD 100, the East Africa Tourist Visa puts Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda on a single visa lasting up to 90 days; the official portal can say whether you qualify and which country must be entered first. Apply only through the government's official site. Pack a return ticket and make sure the passport is valid for 6 months. A certificate for yellow fever is usually required, so check, and consult a doctor on malaria prevention.

Culture and practical - take note

Formal yet friendly, Ugandans expect people to greet first, every time, and to enquire about the other person's wellbeing. Towns call for modest dress, with knees and shoulders covered. Carrier bags made of plastic are banned. The wildlife authority issues the permit that gorilla and chimpanzee trekking requires; permits are costly and limited in number, so reserve early with an official source or a reputable operator, stay the required distance away, and do not go trekking when unwell. On safari, do what your guide says. Check with people before photographing them, and never take photos of military, government or police sites. Very strict laws cover same-sex relations, and governments warn travellers. In Kampala, use ride-hailing apps; walking at night should be avoided. Guides and drivers are normally tipped. In Kampala, halal food can be found.

Emergency

999 or 112.

Good to know

Shilling, cards and exchange

The Ugandan shilling is the currency. Canadian advice says credit cards are accepted only by major hotels, airlines and some car rental agencies, and that foreign exchange bureaus operate at most border crossings and in major cities. It also urges extra caution when withdrawing cash from cash machines.

Local laws and customs

Clothing, smoking and photography

Wearing military-style or camouflage clothing is illegal, say UK and Canadian advice. Both also say smoking is banned in public places, e-cigarettes and shisha are illegal, and drug penalties are severe. Photographing military, official or diplomatic sites is forbidden, and people should be asked before being photographed. Canadian advice adds that flying a drone needs a permit. UK advice says same-sex sexual activity is illegal, with penalties up to life imprisonment.

Taxis and scams

Licensed taxis and boda-bodas

In Uganda, Canadian advice favours licensed taxis picked by a reputable hotel or restaurant or taken from an official taxi stand, with the meter requested or the fare agreed. Motorcycle taxis (boda-boda) should be avoided because of frequent accidents, it says, and a trusted ride-sharing app is acceptable once you have confirmed the driver and plate. UK advice adds that foreign nationals riding boda-bodas have been mugged.

Approaches from strangers

Scammers may target foreign visitors and residents in Uganda, UK advice says, and it urges wariness of strangers who come up to you or your accommodation, or who ring asking for personal information or financial help. According to Canadian advice, tourist excursions should be booked only with a reputable tour company.

Who can help

local government

Uganda Police Force (emergency 999 / 112)

Helps with: Uganda's national police. Its FAQ says to dial 999 or 112 in an emergency, and its headquarters lists two landline numbers and an email for general enquiries.

Who qualifies: Anyone in Uganda, including visitors, who needs police help.

Phone: 999

Email: info@upf.go.ug

Official website

Source 路 checked 2026-11-04

local government

Tourism Police Zonal Commanders (Uganda Tourism Board)

Helps with: Police commanders who protect Uganda's tourism destinations and the safety of travellers. Anyone facing a problem can contact the commander for their region; numbers are in a PDF on the page.

Who qualifies: Travellers, tourism operators and communities facing a safety or security problem in Uganda's tourism areas.

Official website

Source 路 checked 2026-11-04

local government

Uganda Tourism Board (UTB)

Helps with: Uganda's national tourism board. Its tourism police page gives a general office line and email, and points visitors to the regional tourism police commanders.

Who qualifies: Anyone visiting Uganda or planning a trip there.

Phone: +256-414-560-800

Email: utb@utb.go.ug

Official website

Source 路 checked 2026-11-04

ngo

Uganda Red Cross Society

Helps with: Uganda's national Red Cross society, with headquarters in Kampala. Its contacts page lists a toll-free line and separate numbers for first aid training and commercial ambulances.

Who qualifies: People in Uganda who need to reach the Red Cross, including for first aid training.

Phone: 0800 211 088

Email: sgurcs@redcrossug.org

Address: Plot 551/555 Rubaga Road, P.O. Box 494, Kampala

Official website

Source 路 checked 2026-11-04

un agency

International Organization for Migration (IOM) Uganda

Helps with: The UN migration agency's country office in Kampala, with sub-offices at Nakivale, Kyangwali and Kyaka II. Contact it about migration matters in Uganda.

Who qualifies: Migrants and organisations working on migration. It is not a help service for ordinary tourists.

Phone: +256 31 2263210

Email: iomkampala@iom.int

Address: Plot 6A Bukoto Crescent, Naguru, P.O. Box 11431, Kampala

Official website

Source 路 checked 2026-11-04

embassy

Foreign embassies and high commissions in Uganda (official list)

Helps with: For a lost passport or serious trouble, contact your own country's embassy or high commission. The Ugandan foreign ministry attaches a diplomatic list (September 2022 edition) with contact details of missions.

Who qualifies: Citizens of each country, through their own embassy or high commission.

Official website

Source 路 checked 2026-11-04

local government

Department of Disaster Preparedness and Management (Office of the Prime Minister)

Helps with: Uganda's national disaster management department, based at the Postel Building in Kampala. Its page on the prime minister's office site lists a toll-free line.

Who qualifies: Anyone in Uganda affected by a disaster or reporting one.

Phone: 0800 177 777

Address: Clement Hill Road, Postel Building, Kampala

Official website

Source 路 checked 2026-11-04

Cities and places

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Bwindi Impenetrable National ParkHabituated mountain gorilla families live in this dense rainforest, and visitors go on guided treks to spend time with them.Photo: Josefito123, CC BY-SA 4.0 Entebbe and Kampala Entebbe and KampalaThe main gateway is Entebbe, home to the international airport and lying on the shore of Lake Victoria; close by, Kampala has cultural sites, markets and nightlife.Photo: Simisa (talk 路 contribs), CC BY-SA 3.0 Murchison Falls National Park Murchison Falls National ParkElephants, giraffes and lions live in Uganda's largest park, which also offers boat cruises and a narrow gorge through which the Nile forces its way.Photo: Boschlech, Public domain Queen Elizabeth National Park Queen Elizabeth National ParkIn this savannah park, Ishasha is known for its tree-climbing lions, and the Kazinga Channel for boat safaris that pass among hippos.Photo: Robert Weinkove using Minolta Dynax 4 camera, CC BY-SA 3.0 Jinja JinjaJinja stands where the Nile begins, and sunset river cruises, white-water rafting, bungee jumping and kayaking are popular there.Photo: Ilona1001, CC BY-SA 3.0 Rwenzori Mountains Rwenzori MountainsUnusual giant plants, alpine lakes and glaciers reward serious multi-day trekkers in the range called the 'Mountains of the Moon'.Photo: Nick06, CC BY-SA 3.0

City selection based on: Safari operator and travel guides; Uganda Wildlife Authority park information

Festivals and events

nature

Gorilla trekking dry season

around Jun-Aug 2027 路 Bwindi

Permits sell out in the months when gorilla trekking is easiest.

religious

Uganda Martyrs Day (3 June)

3 Jun 2027 路 Kampala

Pilgrims in their millions travel on foot to the Namugongo shrine.