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Uganda travel information

Time: Local time is GMT +3.

Electricity: Electrical current is 220 volts, 50Hz. Three-pin, rectangular blade plugs are in use.

Language: English is the official national language. Luganda is also widely spoken and is the most common of the numerous indigenous languages.

Getting around: Buses connect all major towns daily. Minibuses and shared taxis are a good way of getting around and are the most commonly used by Ugandans - they are frequent, have fixed fares and leave when full. A few airlines offer scheduled and charter flights within the country; some places can only safely be reached by air. Cars can be rented from Entebbe Airport, Kampala and other major towns.

Health: Travellers' diarrhoea is the most common complaint for visitors to Uganda. Recommended vaccinations include hepatitis A and typhoid. All visitors require vaccination against yellow fever. Cholera outbreaks occur occasionally, but most travellers are at low risk for infection; bottled water is widely available. Malaria and HIV/AIDS are widespread. Measles outbreaks occur and visitors should insure that vaccinations are up to date. There has been an outbreak of meningitis in the north since December 2006, and visitors should ensure that vaccinations are up to date. Limited health facilities are available outside of Kampala. Comprehensive medical insurance is advised.

Tipping: At local hotels and restaurants, tipping is not common, but tips of 5-10% are expected at tourist-orientated establishments. It is customary to tip guides and drivers.

Safety: Due to the risk of serious attacks and the killing of foreign aid workers by the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA), as well as the risk of banditry and attacks by other rebel groups, and tribal clashes; most foreign governments advise against travel to northern Uganda. The Government and the LRA signed a new 'Cessation of Hostilities' agreement in April 2007, but the situation remains unstable. Areas bordering Sudan in the north, the region known as West Nile in the north west (except Arua town, which can be visited by air), and the Karamoja region of north eastern Uganda are insecure and pose a serious risk to travellers. Kidepo Valley National Park should be visited by air only. In November 2005 there was an attack on a vehicle in Murchison Falls National Park (in the north west) and visitors are advised to avoid the park due to the risk of rebel groups in the area. Security has been heightened in both Bwindi and Mgahinga National Parks in the far south west, bordering the DRC and Rwanda, following the murder of six tourists in 1999 in Bwindi by Rwandan rebels. Most national parks are safe to visit and a holiday to Uganda is generally trouble-free. Kampala, the capital, is a relatively safe city, although visitors should take sensible precautions against opportunistic crime and at night. Theft of EU passports has been on the increase in recent months. Demonstrations and political rallies should be avoided in Kampala and the main towns.

Customs: Visitors are advised not to take photographs of military or official sites, including Owen Falls Dam. Homosexual practices are frowned upon.

Business: Uganda has one of the fastest growing economies and is one of the most liberal countries in Africa. Agriculture is the largest sector of the economy and coffee the chief export. Uganda is most welcoming for foreign investment and business is steadily on the increase. Appointments should always be made prior to business meetings. Formal dress attire is to be observed, and the shaking of hands is expected on introduction. Business is usually conducted in English. Business hours are generally 8am to 5pm Monday to Friday with an hour taken over lunch.

Communications: The international dialling code for Uganda is +256. The outgoing code is 000 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 00027 for South Africa). City/area codes are in use, e.g. (0)41 for Kampala. There is extensive cellular telephone network coverage over most of the country with GSM 900, and Internet facilities are available in most large towns.

Duty Free: Travellers to Uganda over 17 years of age do not have to pay duty on 200 cigarettes or 227g tobacco, or a combination of 227g tobacco products; 1 bottle of wine or spirits; and 500ml of perfume or eau de toilette.