Staying Safe in Uganda
Personal Security and Safety Tips for Uganda Travelers
Is Uganda safe for travelers, tourists, holiday makers, business travelers, volunteers?
Uganda is one of the safest countries
in Africa. There is of present no rebel activity going on.
The
LRA has signed a cease-fire in the summer of 2006 and
even the north of Uganda is enjoying a state of peace. There are problems
in the Congo, but only refugees are crossing the border in Uganda.
Is Uganda Safe, a resounding yes is the answer.
You will come across misleading information on various websites regarding as to how safe Uganda is for travel. They are however usually outdated and do not reflect the present state of Uganda.
Besides Uganda prides itself as one of the friendliest countries in Africa. One cannot however throw caution to the wind. There are some good ways that one can prevent being robbed. Below are some hints as to how to do that. No safari guest that I have ever had visiting here has ever been robbed and most have followed some practical advice as to stay safe and secure while traveling in Uganda.
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Never act lost even if you are: That may sound a bit funny, but when acts and looks lost they make themselves vulnerable and a potential target for thieves. If you are lost, ask a policeman or woman and or go into a shop and ask for directions. Another thing is to jump on a Boda-Boda Motorcycle (not recommended and have them take you there and there about 20,000 boda-bodas in Kampala. See getting around Uganda page.
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Keep your Jewelry at home: Take inexpensive jewelry with you. Gold chains and jewelry can be torn off of you. Avoid expensive watches and if you are wearing one, have one preferably with leather strap that can be tightly and safely worn.
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Keep your money out of sight: It is best to carry your money in the front pocket where you can put your hand over it rather than a back pocket where it can easily stolen. Do not wear the various kinds of belted packs for money and valuables. Do not flash money, pull out what you need and pay, never carry large amounts with you. Keep money and any other valuables in your hotel safe. For money tips in Uganda see Money Page.
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Passports and Return Tickets: Do not carry a passport on you. If anything make a copy of it and leave passport in hotel safe. If you are traveling on a safari, keep it all such things in a small backpack that you can easily carry with it.
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Photographic Equipment: Expensive here, about twice what it would cost you in your country of origin, so it is a temptation for some. Keep it in a bag, strap it to you. When taking a picture, hold it with both hands and roll strap around your hand so no one can take it from you.
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Cell Phones: Keep it in your pocket and do not carry it in your hands. If you carry it in your hands, someone may take a cigarette burn your hand and you drop phone when pain strikes and it is gone. Do not put in on a table since again someone might just come and grab it.
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Walking at night: Keep it to a minimum, it is usually safe on a crowded street, but it is best to be with a Ugandan or someone who knows the country and ways.
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Women Travelers: A woman traveling on her own is quite safe and in Uganda a firm "no" to some flirting by men will usually stop any further annoyances. You may be proposed to, take it as a compliment and once again a firm no thank you.
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Common Sense: Most of all-just use your head-keep aware and watch each other. Most of all think - Would I do this at home? If not there-don’t do it in Uganda.
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Travel inside of Uganda: Avoid driving at night between cities and town except Entebbe airport - Kampala. If wanting to go to Kidepo Valley National Park, it is best to fly into the park instead of driving there. This is one area where there has been banditry. The Park itself has had no incidents and it is safe for game drives.
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Traveling by Bus: There have been incidents where people have been given food on the buses by fellow passengers which were drugged and the passengers were robbed. Avoid taken food or drinks from fellow passengers.
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Camping in National Parks: For the most part it has been safe. There was an incident at Mount Elgon where a hiker was killed. For safety always travel in a group with Ugandan Guide. Please remember that this was an isolated incident.
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Taking a gorilla trip into the Democratic Republic of Congo: It can be done but not advisable. It is best that you take a safe Mountain Gorilla Tracking (trekking) safari at Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in Uganda.
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A night out in Uganda: In Kampala going out is usually safe, but keep your drink close to you and watch that no one puts something in it. There have been incidents where people have been robbed after being drugged in a bar. Again these are isolated incidents.
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Those Friendly Ladies of the Night: Avoid them for your health and well being. The newspapers have reported situations where women use chloroform to drug the man and rob him of everything.
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Tourist in Uganda who are on Safari and not traveling on their own are quite safe. Since tour companies such as ourselves do everything within in their power based on experience to keep Safari participants safe at all times. A safari tour of Uganda is your best and safest way to enjoy Uganda.
African Insights Blog on Safe Travel in Uganda:
June 9, 2009: Is Uganda safe for Travellers?
July 13, 2010: Uganda Travel Safety & Security - after the World Cup Terrorist Attacks in Uganda.
Now
that you are safe in Uganda - Here are some other Uganda Travel Tips
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acking for Uganda:
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or this link, it will take you to the contact page.Wir sprechen auch Deutsch
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Last updated: 28 July 2010
Staying Safe in Uganda
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