SECURITY
The
government of Uganda has put security at its top of the
list. Measures have been put in place to ensure maximum
safety of visitors and locals equally. The country is
generally safe except the usual small petty thieves that
exist everywhere in the world.
FOREIGN CURRENCY/EXCHANGE
Uganda operates a free foreign exchange regime. Various
currencies are exchanged at authorized Forex Bureaus,
banks, hotels and guest houses including PALAIS
DACHA at competitive rates.
Credit Cards are accepted by most hotels,
banks, airlines, travel agencies and shops/stores.
BANK SERVICES
Banking services are available through out the country
with several banks offering ATM (Automated Teller Machine)
services (Visa, Plus, Electron and Barclays Credit
Card). The banks include:
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- Standard
and Chartered Bank
- Stanbic
Bank
- Barclays
Bank
- Crane
Bank
- Centenary
Rural Development Bank
- Nile
Bank.
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LANGUAGE
English
is the official language, but Swahili and Luganda are
also widely used through out the country. There are a
number of indigenous languages, which can be grouped into
three: the Bantu, the nilotics, and the nilo-hermits
INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
Entebbe International Airport is the main gateway from/to
Uganda, it is 40KM from the capital city Kampala. British
Airways, Kenya Airlines, Africa One, Gulf Air, Emirates,
Ethiopian Airlines, Air Tanzania and Egypt Air fly direct
to or from Entebbe. A departure tax of US $30 per person
is payable by passengers on international flights at the
airport.
VISA REGULATIONS
Effective March 1, 1999, Government of Uganda introduced
visa requirements for all visitors entering Uganda. Visas
can be obtained at a Ugandan High Commission in your country
of origin at a fee. Nationals of the following countries
do not need visas to enter Uganda: All East African Countries,
Angola, Comoros, Eritrea, Kenya, Malawi, Mauritius, Madagascar,
Rwanda, Seychelles, Swaziland, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Antigua,
Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Fiji, Gambia, Grenada, Jamaica,
Lesotho, Malta, Sierra Leone, Singapore and Solomon Islands.
For more information, please check with the Ugandan High
Commission or its equivalent in your country of origin.
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
January 1st, Islamic Holiday (moveable, towards the end
of March), Good Friday, Easter Monday, May 1st (Labor
Day), Islamic Holiday (moveable towards the beginning
of June), June 3rd (Martyrs' Day), June 9th (Heroes' Day),
October 9th (Independence Day), 25th December Christmas
Day.
HEALTH/IMMUNISATION
Visitors to Uganda are required to take vaccination shots
against yellow fever and cholera. A dose of anti-malaria
tablets is strongly advised. For those intending to go
on camping trips, a mosquito repellent is highly recommended.
Bilharzia is common in some lakes and swimming is not
recommended except in designated areas. Only drink bottled
or boiled water; in hotels/ lodges safe drinking waters
is always provided. Medical facilities are easily available
in all medical centers. Please note that insurance should
be taken at place of origin before departure. |
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