Is Uganda Safe To Visit?

Is Uganda Safe To Visit?

East African nation Uganda is bordered to the east by Kenya, to the north by South Sudan, to the west by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, to the southwest by Rwanda, and to the south by Tanzania.

When it comes to flora, Uganda is one of the East African nations with the greatest diversity. Since it is home to some of the critically endangered mountain gorilla and endangered chimpanzee species, you can go gorilla tracking and chimpanzee tracking in this nation, which Winston Churchill dubbed the Pearl of Africa.

In the north of the country, where the terrain is primarily made up of savannas and flat, arid ground, you may also go on a very unique safari in Uganda. Mountains can be found in the West, and there are extensive woods in the country’s centre.
If you want a truly thrilling encounter without feeling like a normal tourist, visit one of Uganda’s stunning national parks. These parks are typically rarely crowded.

In general, it is safe to go to and do business in Uganda. It is regarded as a politically stable nation with well-run borders. But much like in any other nation, opportunistic crimes like house invasions, credit card fraud, and small-time theft happen. When you exercise prudence and abide by local regulations, you can avoid contemporary crime dangers and terror-prone locations.

A visitor’s trepidation about visiting a foreign location is to be expected. Thousands of tourists safely travel to Uganda each year, especially to see the mysterious primates, and the country is quickly gaining in popularity as a vacation adventure destination.
Around 15,000 Britons travel securely to Uganda each year, according to UK travel advice. The majority of visits go smoothly. In London or New York, you have a higher chance of dying in a terrorist strike than you have in Uganda. And no, since the 1980s there hasn’t been a conflict. And certainly, female travelers’ may travel safely to Uganda. While there is crime in the nation, the majority of it affects citizens rather than female tourists. Avoid going out alone at night and use caution.

Safety and security

Threats from crime exist, just like they do in every other country on the planet, but they can be reduced by exercising prudence. Although Uganda is a highly safe country, it nonetheless experiences opportunistic crimes including home invasions, credit card fraud, and small-time theft. Being a victim is extremely unlikely, and incidents are most likely to occur in urban areas like Kampala. Please exercise caution and vigilance when in public locations to avoid drawing unwanted attention to yourself and make oneself less appealing to pickpockets.
The Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF), sometimes known as the local police, has seen an increase in success in its efforts to discourage crime through routine patrols and deployment in key crime hotspots.
With undercover security posted at the airport, borders, and public areas, the police are clearly present everywhere. The tourism police, park rangers, military army, and hotel/lodge security staff are all present to protect guests’ safety throughout Uganda’s National Parks and tourist spots.

Political Situation and Civil unrest

Like many other democracies throughout the world, Uganda occasionally experiences brief periods of political change. The majority of Uganda’s political upheaval often occurs in and around Kampala, far from the wonderful safari attractions. Political unrest, strikes, and protests can occur suddenly and randomly. Even though they are usually under control, protests can occasionally be forceful and violent.
It is best to stay away from crowds and protests. You may simply avoid any situation that could put your safety at risk by keeping up with local media updates, which will help you stay cautious in these circumstances.
The rural areas of Uganda are as tranquil as the ocean’s depths. However, in this age of the Coronavirus, big cities like Kampala are a breeding ground for diseases, aggravating traffic, and unpleasant political demonstrations. If you don’t enjoy crowds, it would be beneficial to stay away from Kampala.
Entebbe, a peaceful neighborhood 34 kilometres outside of the capital city and home to the statehouse with increased security, is the place into which you fly to reach the Pearl of Africa. Entebbe is a wonderful city for unwinding, strolling, and learning about Uganda.

Diseases and health

In the most recent COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic, Uganda experienced the same fate as the rest of the world. With everyone working together, the nation successfully controlled the outbreak crisis, and now that it is safe to travel throughout the country’s appealing destinations, life has returned to normal.

Northern Uganda saw a yellow fever outbreak in 2010. The Ministry of Health continues to insist that everybody in Uganda is susceptible to contracting yellow fever. Today, a yellow fever vaccination shot and an international vaccination certificate are requirements for all visitors entering Uganda.
Ebola outbreak, after one death case was confirmed, the Ministry of Health in Uganda and WHO AFRO declared an outbreak of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) caused by the Sudan ebolavirus in the Mubende District of Uganda on September 2022. More than 100 people were infected with Ebola, and more than 50 people died from it, including healthcare personnel. However, the Ugandan government and international health institutions moved quickly to close down the three areas, which are located more than 34 km outside the city.
Uganda is not currently experiencing an Ebola virus outbreak. On January 11, 2023, the Uganda Ministry of Health declared the situation after 42 days had elapsed since they last released a case from care and there had been no reports of any new cases.

Traffic and road safety

Traffic accidents are reported, but they can be prevented if you pay attention to and abide by the law. On Ugandan roads, however, you will come across negligent drivers, people crossing the street, cattle wandering onto the road, poorly maintained cars (without stop or indicator lights), poor road conditions, a lack of broken traffic lights, and dimly illuminated roads. Although daytime driving is thought to be safer, unpredictable road conditions and negligent drivers can still result in fatalities.
Please practice defensive driving techniques when driving in Uganda to protect both your safety and the safety of other road users at all times. There has been progress in the minimal police enforcement of traffic laws.
Our drivers at Adventure in the Wild Safaris are exceptionally talented and knowledgeable about driving in Uganda. They are more familiar with these routes than others, and they will make every effort to ensure that your trip is both secure and enjoyable.
Hazards from disasters and the environment.
The reported disasters or environmental hazards include food insecurity mostly brought on by drought and other underlying causes, infectious disease outbreaks, torrential rainfall causing flash floods or landslides, and short-term food security. The majority of the LRA-controlled communities in the north can only produce in small plots of land with cattle and have little to no money to buy food.
We can infer from the safety issue that Uganda is a safe place to travel because of these facts. Travel advisories have not issued a travel advisory statement.
Because of increased security measures put in place since 2010, there have been no terrorist attacks in Uganda. Security procedures are followed in public areas like malls, hospitals, and hotels to protect both visitors and Ugandan residents. Any outbreak of an infectious disease is immediately contained and controlled to protect both domestic residents and visitors from getting sick.
Is it secure to visit Uganda? Yes, in our view and from our experience. A secure safari spot is Uganda. You can have a secure, stable, and safe vacation with your entire family by participating in an organized safari through Adventure in the Wild Safaris.
When an Adventure in the Wild Safaris guide or driver meets you at the airport and drives you throughout Uganda for the duration of your trip, you will definitely feel at ease and secure.