Electrical sockets (outlets) in Uganda are the "Type G " British BS-1363 type. If your appliance's plug doesn't match the shape of these sockets, you will need a travel plug adapter in order to plug in. Travel plug adapters simply change the shape of your appliance's plug to match whatever type of socket you need to plug into.Electrical sockets (outlets) in Uganda usually supply electricity at between 220 and 240 volts AC. If you're plugging in an appliance that was built for 220-240 volt electrical input, or an appliance that is compatible with multiple voltages, then an adapter is all you need.Travel plug adapters do not change the voltage, so the electricity coming through the adapter will still be the same 220-240 volts the socket is supplying. North American sockets supply electricity at between 110 and 120 volts, far lower than in most of the rest of the world. Consequently, North American appliances are generally built for 110-120 volts.

BankingBanking hours: Generally Mon-Fri 0830-1400, Sat 0900-1200. Forex bureaux are open until 1700 and able to do electronic transfers to and from overseas.American Express, Diners, MasterCard and Visa credit cards are sometimes accepted but not widely used. Some large hotels, restaurants, travel agencies and shops in urban areas accept credit cards.ATMs are available in the larger cities but ATM services in smaller towns and rural areas are limited. It is advisable to check with your bank to see if your card is compatible with Ugandan ATMs.Traveller's cheques are not widely accepted outside Kampala. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveller's cheques in US Dollars or Pounds Sterling. It is advised that travellers bring sufficient US dollars in cash in case of emergencies. Higher denomination bills usually give a better exchange rate than smaller notes.Credit CardsCredit cards are accepted at very few businesses, usually the larger hotels and supermarkets. American Express cannot be used except at major hotels and with airlines.CurrencyThe local currency is the Uganda Shilling (UGX). Notes are in denominations of UGX50,000, 20,000, 10,000, 5,000, 2,000 and 1,000. Coins are in denominations of UGX500, 200, 100, 50, 10, 5, 2 and 1. However, UGX1,000 notes are soon to be replaced by coins. Try not to accept very old or damaged notes where possible, as some places may refuse to take them.The US dollar, euro and pound sterling are all recognised currencies in Uganda, and both euros and dollars are now widely accepted for cash payments. Other international currencies may also be accepted in some places in the major cities, although visitors may struggle with other currencies inThe import and export of local currency is prohibited. Import of foreign currency is unlimited if declared upon arrival. Export of foreign currency must not exceed the amount declared upon arrival.Foreign currency may be exchanged at the Central Bank, commercial banks and foreign exchange bureaux. Be aware that dollar notes from before 2006 will not be accepted for exchange.smaller towns.

All water should be regarded as being a potential health risk. Water used for drinking, brushing teeth or making ice should be boiled or otherwise sterilised. Milk is unpasteurised and should be boiled. Powdered or tinned milk is available and is advised. Avoid dairy products which are likely to have been made from unboiled milk. Only eat well-cooked meat and fish, preferably served hot. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit should be peeled.Ugandan cuisine draws on English, Arab and Asian – especially Indian – influences and uses home-grown local produce including plantains, sweet potatoes, corn, beans and cassava. It’s easy to eat cheaply almost anywhere in the country. International restaurants can be found in larger towns, with Indian, Chinese and Italian being the most popular.Traditional foods include ugali (solidified maize meal porridge) served with a stew of groundnuts (peanuts), beans, chicken or meat such as beef, goat or mutton. Game can be found on menus in some restaurants and at safari lodges. Fish including the tiger fish, mukini, mputa and tilapia are popular.Vegetarians may struggle outside of major towns, but Uganda’s Indian and Chinese restaurants generally offer a selection of vegetarian dishes. Traditional desserts include mandazi, a doughnut often served with cinnamon or sugar.Although always appreciated, tipping is not standard practice. It is normal to tip 5 to 10% at tourist-orientated restaurants.

Uganda has a tropical climate, with temperatures ranging from 70- 77°F, apart from in the mountainous areas, which are much cooler; the top of Mount Elgon is often covered with snow. The hottest months are December to February. Evenings can feel chilly after the heat of the day with temperatures around 54-61°F.Most regions of Uganda, apart from the dry area in the north, have an annual rainfall of between 1,000mm and 2,000mm. There is heavy rain between March and May and between October and November, when road travel can become difficult in parts of the country. The best time for trekking is during the dry seasons, between January and February and June to September. Wildlife viewing is best at the end of the dry seasons, when game is more concentrated around water sources.

Fly Uganda (www.flyuganda.com), Eagle Air (www.flyeagleairuganda.com) and Aerolink (www.aerolinkuganda.com) offer scheduled and charter internal flights.Domestic bus travel is cheap, but departures aren’t always on schedule. There are two classes of bus travel – matatu (minibus) or kigati (van) which travel fixed routes, and larger coaches or buses.Self-drive and hiring a private car with a driver are other options. International hire companies are based near Entebbe International Airport and in the centre of Kampala. A four-wheel drive is recommended for rural areas. The speed limit is 50mph or 62mph on highways. Most car hire companies include breakdown cover. The Automobile Association of Uganda (www.aau.co.ug) can provide information and assistance.mAn International Driving Permit and adequate third-party insurance is required. UK driving licences are accepted. Drivers must carry their vehicle log books and must pay for a temporary road licence.Whist some major roads are paved, the majority of minor and side roads are unpaved and can be bumpy and pot-holed, so drive with caution, especially in the rainy season.The roads are of variable quality and radiate from Kampala, although the network is sparse in the north. Whist some major roads are paved, the majority of minor and side roads are unpaved and can be bumpy and pot-holed, so drive with caution, especially in the rainy season. Note that there are still some army and police checkpoints on roads. Always keep vehicle doors locked and valuables out of sight.Private taxis are identifiable by their black and white stripes. Boda-bodas (motorbike taxis) are often a cheaper option and, whilst fun, are not for the faint-hearted. Don’t be afraid to ask your driver to slow down if necessary as accidents are common.Cycling in Uganda requires nerves of steel; many roads are dusty or under construction and motor vehicles rarely allow cyclists room. Always wear a helmet and use rear-view mirrors. Avoid cycling at night.Uganda’s coach and bus services connect all major towns. The Post Office’s Post Bus Service (www.ugapost.co.ug) offers relatively comfortable buses and is more safety-aware than some other bus companies.Most major routes are also covered by smaller white mini-buses. These are faster than coaches, but drivers wait until they are full before leaving and departure times are not fixed.A passenger ferry links Nakiwogo Dock, south of Entebbe to Lutoboka on Buggala in the Ssese Islands on Lake Victoria. There is also a free vehicle ferry which runs from Bukakata, 25 miles east of Masaka, to Buggala. Lake taxis also link some of the other islands.Passenger boats can be overloaded in Uganda and there have been several accidents, usually during the rainy season which can bring storms and high winds. Always makes sure boats have life jackets before you set off.

Lightweight clothes with a warm cover-up for the evenings are advised. Take a pair of good walking shoes or boots for forest trekking, and long-sleeved tops to protect against mosquitoes. If you’re planning to go to mountainous areas, be sure to take warm clothing, as temperatures drop substantially. White clothes won’t stay white for long with Uganda’s red dust roads, so go for darker colours. Travellers can also pick up bargains at second-hand clothes markets in Kampala, Jinja and Fort Portal, which sell trousers, boots and fleeces.

Please consult your health-care provider 4-6 weeks prior to travel to ensure you are receiving all required vaccinations and that the medication has enough time to take effect. We highly recommend the purchase of travel insurance with medical benefits and that you bring any personal medication with you. Please also check with your health department prior to departure for any changes in health regulations.

Required Immunizations/Vaccinations:

Yellow Fever- required for travelers coming from a yellow fever infected country. It is otherwise not required or recommended. You should be vaccinated at least 10 days before you travel, as this will allow enough time for your body to develop protection against the yellow fever infection. Your proof of vaccination certificate will only become valid after this time.

Recommended Immunizations/Vaccinations:

Malaria prophylaxis – highly recommended for all travelers

Travelers should carry and use insect repellents containing either 20% DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus or IR3535, as well as clothing treated with permethrin, and bed nets, to prevent insect borne illnesses such as malaria, dengue and yellow fever.

Malaria: Expert opinion differs regarding the best approach to malaria prophylaxis. It is important to bear in mind that malaria may be contracted despite chemoprophylaxis, especially in areas where chloroquine resistance has been reported. 

We strongly recommend you take the following preventative measures:

Use plenty of mosquito repellent. Some properties provide a locally made repellent but please bring your own as there may be skin sensitivity.
Wear long-sleeved shirts and trousers/slacks in the evenings.
Please use the mosquito net over your bed where supplied/available.
If staying in a bungalow or tent, spray with a suitable insecticide to kill any mosquitoes that may have flown into your room.
Mosquito coils are also effective.

There is a six to seven day minimum incubation period before symptoms present themselves. If you become ill on your return, while still on prophylaxis or even once you have stopped taking them, ensure that your doctor does everything to establish that your illness is not malaria. Please remember the best precaution is the preventative kind. 

It is inadvisable for pregnant women to visit malarial areas as malaria infection during pregnancy can be detrimental to both mother and child.

Zika Virus
Zika virus is a risk in Uganda. Because Zika infection in a pregnant woman can cause serious birth defects, women who are pregnant should not travel to Uganda. All travelers should strictly follow steps to prevent mosquito bites and sexual exposure to Zika virus during and after the trip.

U.S. citizens are required to obtain a visa for entry into Uganda. Non U.S. citizens should consult with your local embassy.Single Entry VisaA single-entry Ugandan tourist visa can be applied for online ($50 USD) which is subject to change at any time without notice. It is valid for 3 months and must be paid for online in USD or the equivalent in pounds sterling or euros. Note: if not paid online, the application remains pending.Please note: If one is not able to apply & pay online for their visa, it is essential to bring crisp, new-format (dated year 2009 or newer), larger bills ($50 and $100 USD), with no blemishes. Smaller bills do not receive as favorable an exchange rate as larger bills but do come in handy for tipping. Older, worn or torn bills will not be accepted.Passport-style photos are not required for visas purchased upon arrival.East African Tourist VisaThe East African Tourist Visa is $100.00  USD and allows for travel between Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda with the same entry visa. The holder of the East African Tourist Visa shall enter the region from the country that issued the visa and move within the two other countries without applying for another visa or paying another visa fee. It is multi-entry within the three countries; however, this expires automatically if a traveler goes outside of the three (3) countries. This visa can now be applied for online for Uganda and Rwanda. It must be paid for online in U.S. dollars or the equivalent in pounds sterling or euros. Note if not paid online, the application remains pending. This visa expires as soon as you leave the participating countries, but is otherwise valid for up to 90 days. Steps to follow while applying for the Visa online:We advise you use Google chrome as your browser.Go to https://visas.immigration.go.ug Choose the type of visa: “Ordinary” (single entry) and East Africa Tourist Visa are the most common.Fill out the requested personal and travel information. Upload clear copies of current passport, yellow fever certificate and a passport photo. For an East Africa Tourist visa, a travel itinerary and proof of return ticket must also be submitted.Once the online application form is completed and submitted, and payment has been processed, the applicant will receive a bar-coded email notification of approval. This can take 3 or more days. Once received, this bar-coded email should be printed and brought to Uganda for presentation upon arrival.Please Note: Upon arrival at any border (entry point), the bar-coded email along with passport and original yellow fever certificate must be presented. The Immigration officer will scan the barcode; take fingerprints and a photograph then a visa will be printed and pasted into the passport.Log on to https://visas.immigration.go.ug/#/check with your details to make an online payment. IF YOU DON’T GET THE PAY OPTION kindly login and CANCEL the application and begin a fresh application.  Or go to Manage Application, fill in the required field, then a screen will pop up with Modify and Cancel options, click Modify and choose the payment option and pay for the visa.Make sure you don’t cancel the payment while it’s in progress.Make sure your internet connection is good.Without making the payment, your application won’t be processed.Modes of payment accepted are Visa or MasterCardAlso note that paying does not guarantee visa approval. You need to keep checking to see the status of your application by visiting https://visas.immigration.go.ug/#/check, in case you need to modify anything in your application. Please contact us if you experience any issues. 

Language:English is widely spoken as the lingua franca, though to varying degrees of fluency. British English is the dialect of the most educated, but Ugandan English often takes on a life of its own. Dozens of African languages are spoken in Uganda, the most common being Luganda, which is almost universally understood in Kampala. Swahili may come in handy in places, especially the North and East. Though many Ugandans do not speak Swahili at all, it is a common African trade language.National Emergency Numbers:Police 999 (Toll free)Fire Masters 147 (Toll free)Fire Brigade & Rescue 112 (Toll free) Public Holidays:The dates of certain public holidays change from year to year – refer below. If a public holiday falls on a Sunday, then the Monday is also declared a public holiday.January 1 – New Year's DayDate variable – Good FridayDate variable – Easter MondayMarch 8 – Women's DayMay 1 – Labour DayJune 3 – Martyr's DayJune 9 – National Heroes DayDate variable – Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan)October 9 – Independence DayDate variable – Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice)December 25 – Christmas DayDecember 26 – Boxing DaySocial conventions:It is not possible to list all the characteristics of a culture. However, visitors to Uganda are advised to seek information about some of the Ugandan cultural pattern that foreigners are most likely to encounter in regards to social greetings, eating, bargaining, manner of dress and certain practices and beliefs. The exchange of a greeting is key to successful interaction with Ugandans at every level, whether in the market, on the street, in the office, or over the telephone. Shaking hands is the normal form of greeting. Casual dress is usual for most occasions in the daytime or evening. Ugandans have adopted a socially conservative culture and homosexuality and drug abuse is illegal and widely condemned.Time Zone:East Africa Time – UTC+03:00US EmbassyAddress: U. S. Embassy Kampala Plot 1577 Ggaba Road, P.O. Box 7007, Kampala, Uganda.Tel: 0414 306001 / 0312 306001 / 0414 259791Fax: 0414 259 794Website: kampala.usembassy.gov