How to prepare for your trip to Uganda

Here are some tips!

Visa: the online e-visa process is usually quite swift. It took me three days to receive my visa after my application and payment (50USD). This, however, might depend on the time of the year but probably not by much. As many airlines have tightened their security, it is much easier to have your visa in advance. The visa process requires you to have proof of your yellow fever vaccination (a scanned copy of your yellow book), a passport size photo and a copy of your passport. I am quite used to such visa application so luckily had all the things handy – you won’t be able to complete the application without the attachments.

Vaccinations: a yellow fever vaccination as well as the certificate are compulsory and will be checked before you board the plane as well as upon arrival. The vaccination must be taken at least ten days before your departure. Several other countries also require you to prove that you have had the vaccination if you have visited central Africa so you will need to keep the certificate nearby even after your trip.

At least the Finnish healthcare system recommends three other vaccinations as well: for cholera, typhoid fever and meningococcus or meningococcal meningitis. Cholera vaccination (65 e) can be taken orally as a live virus and should also be taken at least two weeks before the journey. There is still some cholera in Uganda, but it is also possible to avoid catching the disease by excellent personal hygiene and by preparing your own meals. Similar rules apply to the typhoid fever vaccination (35 e): it can also be taken orally, however, not on the same day as the cholera vaccination. Typhoid fever comes from contaminated food and water and could also be avoided by being diligent about your personal consumption. Both vaccinations should be taken on a different day than your malaria pills so if you are on malaria pills that must be taken several days before the journey, you should prepare enough time before for the vaccinations. The third vaccination is the meningococcus (65 e) which is always an injection and can be taken on the same day as your other vaccinations and medications. The risk area for meningococcus is only in the northern parts of Uganda so if you are not planning on visiting there, the vaccination should not be necessary. The general rule of thumb regarding these vaccinations is that the ones that can be avoided through good personal hygiene and careful food and drink consumption are not compulsory but recommended especially if you would like to eat freely. The meningococcus is compulsory if travelling to the north and especially if working with children. These vaccinations can also be obtained in Uganda should you change your mind, but they are a little pricier (meningococcus 90 e).

Packing: As soon as you step out of the plane, you can tell that Ugandans are quite traditional. The gender roles clearly prevail in the country: in both dressing and professions. The women usually wear dresses and skirts that cover their knees. What I have found particularly funny in these traditional countries is that even though they cover their legs there is no limit to sexy: here shoulders are often bare, I have seen some low cut tops even on professionals and figure showing outfits are popular. However, I did make the mistake of walking to work in a pencil skirt and immediately attracted more unwanted attention than usual so beware. You will also notice than Uganda has the ‘ideal’ temperature. In the coldest months it is 25 and in the warmest, it is 28. It is a little too humid for my taste but packing for such little change in temperatures is easy. I haven’t had the need for an extra layer even in the evenings. Feeling a little silly about the jeans and the blazer that I packed along. I found a warning online that Uganda does not often sell conditioner, so I packed three bottles with. I haven’t yet confirmed whether this is true or false. There are several beauty shops and make-up stores around but if you are dependent on a specific product or brand, you might want to bring that yourself. There is a huge shopping centre in Kampala where you can obtain most things, but it is much more expensive to buy beauty products and technology here than it is elsewhere.

Transport: I found a warning on the Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ page about the motorbike taxis (boda bodas) in Uganda which recommended against them. The accident level is quite high but there are several apps (for example ‘safe boda’) that try and guarantee a safe journey for you. The usual taxi companies, uber and taxify, also work in Uganda. Walking around is quite safe during the day time but you should always remain aware of your surroundings and keep your bag to yourself. I hadn’t been here for even a week when a ‘fake boda’ tried to grab my bag as I was walking past him. Luckily, he only ended up with the strap of my bag as the bag broke when he pulled it and I was busy hanging onto the other end of it.

Safety: You should always be streetwise and not wander around aimlessly especially alone, especially drunk. Don’t jump in cars or on motorbikes that you didn’t order or don’t recognise. Don’t wear expensive looking jewellery or bags etc. Crime, especially in Africa, in rather opportunistic. My previous landlord always put it well: ‘they don’t want to steal your stuff, they have to’. Many people suffer from poverty and hunger and if you are walking around looking like you have stuff that could buy their kids meals for a month, they will grab it for sure. I had a little freight about the attempted robbery that I experienced but then again, I was walking during dusk and at least he didn’t have a knife.

Housing: There are several Facebook groups that you can use for your search. In other countries, my friends have also contacted Airbnb hosts and asked for a long term stay with an adjusted fixed rate which has worked very well for them. I found my flat very quickly through ‘Kampala expats housing’ but you can also try to search for varieties of the words: Uganda expat housing, Expats in Uganda, Kampala expats rent room etc. When looking for housing in Kampala, take into consideration that the city is quite large and that the traffic jams can easily take up to three hours. You will want to check for housing near where you want to be: work, mall, tourist sights, bar street. Kampala also has some less and more dangerous parts so check with your landlord and browse around before making your decision.

Activities: When you first stroll around Kampala, depending on the area, you will mainly spot the busy streets, street food places and an occasional restaurant. However, Kampala is famous for its lively nightlife and good restaurants. Many of these are a little hidden from the street view but you will get to know them quickly. Ugandans, as well as the expats here, are very active and you can easily find hobbies and communities to join.

Enjoy your trip to Uganda!

Mira

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