smartraveller.gov.au - Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
It's a must see destination.
It's a must see destination.
Uganda
| Uganda overall | This Advice is current for Wednesday, 19 November 2008. | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Be alert to own security | Exercise caution | High degree of caution | Reconsider your need to travel | Do not travel |
| Northern Uganda and areas bordering Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) | ||||
| Be alert to own security | Exercise caution | High degree of caution | Reconsider your need to travel | Do not travel |
This advice has been reviewed and reissued. It contains new information under Safety and Security: Terrorism (US Warden Message), Civil Unrest/Political Tension (update) and Crime (attacks in national parks). The overall level of the advice has not changed.
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Terrorism is a threat throughout the world. You can find more information about this threat in our General Advice to Australian Travellers.
We advise you to exercise a high degree of caution in Uganda because of the threat of terrorist attack, civil unrest and criminal activity. Pay close attention to your personal security at all times and monitor the media for information about possible new safety or security risks.
There is a risk of terrorist attack against Western interests in East Africa, including Uganda. In planning your activities consider the kind of places known to be terrorist targets which include clubs, hotels, restaurants, bars, schools, places of worship, airports including civil aviation, marketplaces, outdoor recreation events and tourist areas.
On 29 July 2008, the United States issued a Warden Message reminding its citizens of the continuing potential for terrorist actions against US facilities, personnel and interests in East Africa, particularly along the East African coast. It notes that a number of al-Qa'ida operatives and other extremists are believed to be operating in and around East Africa.
You should avoid protests and demonstrations as they may become violent.
Northern Uganda and areas bordering Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC): We strongly advise you not to travel to northern Uganda (particularly the Nebbi, Arua, Moyo, Yumbe, Adjumani, Apac, Gulu, Kitgum, Lira and Pader districts) and areas bordering Sudan and the DRC (including Lake Albert and Murchison Falls National Park) because of the serious risk of attacks and abductions by rebel groups, including the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA), and the risk of banditry in these areas. The LRA is believed to be responsible for several attacks that have killed or wounded foreign aid workers in the past and further attacks could occur.
The Ugandan Government and the LRA entered into a "Cessation of Hostilities" agreement in August 2006. Peace talks are ongoing and the Ugandan army maintains a heavy presence in this region. Should the peace process fail, the potential for armed clashes between government troops and rebel fighters is high.
North-eastern Uganda: We strongly advise you not to travel to the Karamoja region of north-eastern Uganda (particularly the Kotido, Moroto, Nakapiripirit and Katakwi districts north of Kate Kyoga), because of the risk of banditry and inter-tribal clashes. Clashes between the army and tribal groups increased in late 2006 and flared up again in February 2007. Although the situation is now calmer, the risk of further clashes remains.
Far south-western borders with the DRC: We strongly advise you not to travel to Uganda's far south-western borders with the DRC, including Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and the Mgahinga Gorilla Park, due to the risk of banditry and cross-border attacks by rebel groups. We strongly advise you not to take gorilla trekking tours that cross into the DRC. The situation over the border in the DRC is unstable and problems can occur with no notice. Security personnel are usually required to accompany tourists on gorilla trekking visits.
Petty crime such as pickpocketing and bag snatching is common, especially on public transport. Theft from vehicles which are stationary in heavy traffic or stopped at traffic lights occurs frequently. You should ensure valuables are out of sight and that vehicle windows are up and doors are locked.
There is a risk of armed robbery and carjacking when travelling outside the capital, Kampala, particularly to the east and in areas around Lake Victoria.
Isolated incidents of violence have also occurred in other urban centres, such as Jinja and Kasese. Residential burglaries have turned violent. Security risks are heightened after dark.
Do not accept food or drink from strangers as it may be drugged.
When visiting Uganda's national parks, we strongly recommend the use of reputable, registered tour operators. A foreign tourist was shot dead in Mt Elgon National Park in February 2008. Incidents have occurred in other parks, and security circumstances can change with little warning. There is a history of armed attacks in the Murchison Falls National Park.
The Ugandan Government periodically closes tourist areas considered to be at risk of rebel activity. You should seek local advice about the current situation prior to travel.
Driving in Uganda can be hazardous due to poor road conditions, vehicle maintenance, bad driving habits, excessive speeds and poor lighting, especially at night. Traffic accidents are common and pose a significant risk to tourists.
Long distance bus travel is also hazardous and accidents have resulted in fatalities.
The safety standards Australians might expect of tour operators are not always met, especially for adventure sports such as white water rafting. We strongly recommend that you use only reputable, registered tour operators.
If you are travelling from Uganda to Kenya, see our travel advisory for Kenya.
Passengers on international flights to and from Australia are only allowed to carry a small amount of liquids (including aerosols and gels) in their carry-on baggage. You can find out more information at the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government website. Similar restrictions apply to flights in an increasing number of countries. Contact your airline for further information.
Airline and air charter safety and maintenance standards vary throughout the world. It is not known whether maintenance procedures and safety standards on aircraft used on internal flights are always properly observed or whether passengers are covered by airline insurance.
If you have concerns about the safety standards of a particular airline or aircraft, we recommend you research the airline or aircraft through organisations such as Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority and the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government has published fact sheets on security for air travellers. When staff at Australia's overseas missions are advised not to use particular airlines due to safety concerns, this will be included in the travel advisory.
The European Union (EU) has published a list of airlines that are subject to operating bans or restrictions within the EU. The United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) through its foreign assessment program focuses on a country's ability, not the individual airline, to adhere to international standards and recommended practices for aircraft operations and maintenance established by ICAO.
The rainy seasons are from March to May and October to November when flooding may occur.
Uganda is located in an active earthquake region.
If a natural disaster occurs, follow the advice of local authorities.
Australians are advised to maintain a safe and legal distance when observing wildlife, including marine animals and birds. You should only use reputable and professional guides or tour operators and closely follow park regulations and wardens' advice. Prior to travel, we recommend you contact the Uganda Wildlife Authority for information about the latest security advice and arrangements.
Before you go, organise a variety of ways to access your money overseas, such as credit cards, travellers' cheques, cash, debit cards or cash cards. Check with your bank whether your ATM card will work overseas. Travellers' cheques and credit/debit cards are not widely accepted in Uganda. Travellers may find that they cannot exchange US notes printed prior to 2002.
Make two photocopies of valuables such as your passport, tickets, visas and travellers' cheques. Keep one copy with you in a separate place to the original and leave another copy with someone at home.
While travelling, don't carry too much cash and remember that expensive watches, jewellery and cameras may be tempting targets for thieves.
As a sensible precaution against luggage tampering, including theft, lock your luggage. Information on luggage safety is available from Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority.
Your passport is a valuable document that is attractive to criminals who may try to use your identity to commit crimes. It should always be kept in a safe place. You are required by Australian law to report a lost or stolen passport If your passport is lost or stolen overseas, report it online or contact the nearest Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate as soon as possible.
You are required to pay an additional fee to have a lost or stolen passport replaced. In some cases, the Government may also restrict the length of validity or type of replacement passports.
If you are planning on placing your children in schools or childcare facilities overseas we encourage you to research the standards of security, care and staff training within those establishments. You should exercise the same precautions you would take before placing children into schools or childcare facilities in Australia.
Ideas on how to select childcare providers are available from the smartraveller Children's Issues page, Child Wise and the National Childcare Accreditation Council.
When you are in Uganda, be aware that local laws and penalties, including ones that appear harsh by Australian standards, do apply to you. If you are arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you but we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail.
Information on what Australian consular officers can and cannot do to help Australians in trouble overseas is available from the Consular Services Charter.
Penalties for possession, use or trafficking of illegal drugs are severe and convicted offenders can expect lengthy jail sentences and heavy fines.
Serious crimes, such as treason and murder, carry the death penalty.
Penalties for some crimes, including rape and robbery, include corporal punishment.
Homosexual acts are illegal.
It is illegal to photograph military establishments, government buildings, diplomatic sites and other infrastructure.
It is illegal to wear military-style or camouflage clothing. The penalty may include a sentence of up to seven years in prison.
Some Australian criminal laws, such as those relating to money laundering, bribery of foreign public officials, terrorism and child sex tourism, apply to Australians overseas. Australians who commit these offences while overseas may be prosecuted in Australia.
Australian authorities are committed to combating sexual exploitation of children by Australians overseas. Australians may be prosecuted at home under Australian child sex tourism laws. These laws provide severe penalties of up to 17 years imprisonment for Australians who engage in sexual activity with children under 16 while outside of Australia.
Uganda does not recognise dual nationality. This may limit our ability to provide consular assistance to Australian/Ugandan dual nationals who are arrested or detained. We recommend you travel on your Australian passport at all times.
Our Travel Information for Dual Nationals brochure provides further information for dual nationals.
Visa and other entry and exit conditions (such as currency, customs and quarantine regulations) change regularly. Contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate of Uganda for the most up to date information.
A valid Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate is required for entry into Uganda.
Uganda is listed by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as endemic for yellow fever. Some airlines may require you to present a valid Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate before being allowed to board flights out of the country. If in doubt, check with your airline.
We strongly recommend that you take out comprehensive travel insurance that will cover any overseas medical costs, before you depart. Confirm that your insurance covers you for the whole time you'll be away and check what circumstances and activities are not included in your policy. Remember, regardless of how healthy and fit you are, if you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel.
Your doctor or travel clinic is the best source of information about preventive measures, immunisations (including booster doses of childhood vaccinations) and disease outbreaks overseas. The World Health Organization (WHO) provides information for travellers and our Travelling Well brochure also provides useful tips for travelling with medicines and staying healthy while overseas.
Medical facilities outside Kampala are very limited. In the event of an accident or illness, medical evacuation by air ambulance to Nairobi would be necessary and, if serious, a medical evacuation from Kenya to a destination with the required facilities would be recommended. A medical evacuation from Uganda could cost tens of thousands of dollars.
Malaria occurs widely and throughout the year in Uganda. Other insect-borne diseases (including yellow fever, filariasis, plague and African sleeping sickness) also occur. We encourage you to take prophylaxis against malaria and take measures to avoid insect bites, including using insect repellent at all times.
Water-borne, food-borne and other infectious diseases (including HIV/AIDS, cholera, typhoid, hepatitis, meningitis, tuberculosis, measles, viral haemorrhagic fevers and rabies) occur, with more serious outbreaks from time to time. We encourage you to consider having vaccinations before travelling. We recommend you boil all drinking water or drink bottled water, and avoid ice cubes and raw and undercooked food. Do not swim in fresh water to avoid exposure to certain water-borne diseases such as bilharzia (schistosomiasis). Seek medical advice if you have a fever or are suffering from diarrhoea.
The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) has confirmed cases of avian influenza in birds in a number of countries throughout the world. For a list of these countries, visit the OIE website. For information on our advice to Australians on how to reduce the risk of infection and on Australian Government precautions see our travel bulletin on avian influenza.
Australia does not have an Embassy or Consulate in Uganda. You can obtain consular assistance from the nearest Australian High Commission which is in Kenya:
Australian High Commission
Riverside Drive (400 metres off Chiromo Road)
Nairobi, Kenya
Telephone: (254 20) 444 5034 - 39
Facsimile: (254 20) 444 4718
Website: http://www.kenya.highcommission.gov.au/
If you are travelling to Uganda, whatever the reason and however long you'll be there, we encourage you to register with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. You can register online or in person at any Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate. The information you provide will help us to contact you in an emergency -whether it is a natural disaster, civil disturbance or a family issue.
In a consular emergency, if you are unable to contact the High Commission you can contact the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305 or 1300 555 135 within Australia.
In Australia, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Canberra may be contacted on (02) 6261 3305.
While every care has been taken in preparing this travel information for travellers, neither the Australian Government nor its agents or employees including any member of Australia's consular staff abroad, can accept liability for injury, loss or damage arising in respect of any statement contained therein.
