|
Ensure you have proper insurance to cover medical expense (including sufficient cover to repatriate you if required) and also cover missed flights due to breakdown of transport links to the airport both on outward and inwards journeys. Most nationals are now required to purchase a visa online before entering Uganda. You can apply for a visa here: https://visas.immigration.go.ug/. At time of writing the entry visa fee is $50 and this is
paid on arrival when you present your visa. The visa process will only be confirmed on arrival at the border. Prepare to spend more money than you have budgeted for! You are sure to make friends whilst in Western Uganda and, because there is so much to see and do you are likely to be invited on trips you had not planned. None are expensive but the cost can add up! Remember to pack sun cream and some deet to prevent being bitten by mosquitoes. Whilst your room will probably have mosquito nets, its also a good idea to take a plug in repellent or, even better, a battery operated one, as often the power is down as well as spray for use during the day. This will offer you greater protection. Also remember to get your mosquito tablets before you leave and take as prescribed. Packing a lightweight rainproof kagoule or similar to carry around with you is always a good idea because although Uganda is generally hot, when it rains we're not talking drizzle but a torrential downpour and it comes from seemingly no where. One moment blazing sun, the next the wind picks up, all goes quiet then the local look up and state "the rain is coming." Don't get caught short especially when out walking in the mountains. There are mixed views on eating locally prepared roadside foods. In Kampala recently there has been a typhoid outbreak after pots, pans and food was found to be washed in water contaminated with urine and faeces. Our general advice is not to purchase and consume foods from the roadside or any food outlets where hygiene standards appear lacking. Whilst boiled water is normally safe we recommend buying bottled water to drink ~ its only around 25-30p a litre and will help prevent any stomach upsets. Calling abroad from a mobile/cell phone can be expensive so invest in a local SIM card which can easily be picked up for less than a pound, but take your passport with you when buying as all SIMs have to be registered in Uganda. The process takes around ten minutes. Check out our Uganda culture section here and and remember that whilst on the surface there appear to be many similarities, Ugandans, particularly those in rural areas, have established ideas and ways of doing things which are not always a comfortable fit with outsiders (particularly the role of women in the family and wider society) ~ so remember, you are the outsider and just as you may not welcome a visitor to your country who is staying for a few weeks trying to overturn your culture's established ways the same applies to Uganda. It's okay to explain differences, just try not to lecture or become a cultural missionary! One other point on culture, rural Uganda in particular is very conservative and inappropriate (short cut skirts, shorts etc) can cause upset and distress particularly to the older generation. If you want to make statement about "western values" then please consider visiting a country where those values are accepted instead! Seriously. Also, "whites" (Muzungos) are still a rarity in this part of the world and probably everything you do will be repeated throughout the village and wider community where you will be staying so please bear that in mind when drinking and displaying excessive behaviour. Generally the children are very friendly, although unfortunately because of well meaning outsiders (normally volunteers who feel the need to give freely), some have started begging and will demand shoes and money and other gifts because others have received them from volunteers in the past or maybe from the group you are currently staying with. Please don't give rather respond with a firm but polite "no".
|
