Uganda
About
| Winston Churchill called Uganda 'the pearl of Africa', presumably basing his opinion on the country's great natural beauty. From the moment the visitor lands at Entebbe's international airport, with its breath-taking equatorial location on the forested shore of island-strewn Lake Uganda is where the East African savannah meets the West African jungle. In this lush country, one can observe lions prowling the open plains, track chimpanzees through the rainforest undergrowth, then navigate tropical channels teeming with hippos and crocs before setting off into the misty mountains to stare deep into the eyes of a mountain gorilla. Victoria, it is clear that Uganda is no ordinary safari destination. Visit the second-largest town in Uganda, Jinja, on the shores of Lake Victoria. The town is somewhat under-populated but there is a very lively Saturday market. Enjoy the botanical gardens and lakeside beach at Entebbe, the major gateway to Uganda for air travellers. Set off for a climbing expedition in Kisoro, the starting point for trips to Mounts Muhavura and Mgahinga. Experienced mountaineers should head to Mount Elgon, the Rwenzoris and the Virungas for easy and medium climbs. |
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| Capital: | Kampala (EBB) |
| Currency: | Uganda Shilling (UGX) |
| Language: | English. Luganda, Kiswahili, Runyankole, Rukiga & Rutoro are also widely spoken. |
| Dialling code from SA: | + 256 |
| Time Zones: | UTC/GMT +3 hours (1 hour ahead of South Africa) |
| Side of the Road: | Left |
| Best Time to go: | January - February & June - September |
| Best For: | Primates, especially Mountain Gorillas |
| Plugs: | 240 volts AC, 50Hz. British-style three-pin plugs are used. |
| Drinking Water: | All water should be regarded as being a potential health risk. |
| Health: | Outside of Kampala, health care facilities are limited and ill-equipped. Visitors should bring their own medication, however certain medications are banned for import (check with embassy prior to arrival). |
| Customs: | Expressing emotions, including anger, is frowned upon and counter-productive. |
| Local Offences / Laws: | Drug abuse is illegal. Homosexuality is illegal, and homosexuals are subject to persecution. A permit is required to take pictures of military buildings and airports. |
| Duty Free: | The following items may be imported into Uganda by visitors over 18 years without incurring customs duty: • 250g of tobacco products. • 1L of spirits or 2L of wine. • 500ml of eau de toilette, of which not more than a quarter may be perfume. • Goods up to the value of US$500 (returning residents). |
| Prohibited Imports: | Narcotics, pornography, counterfeit items, cultural artefacts and objects of cultural importance, henna, palm tree products and explosive material are not permitted. Some medication may also be restricted; check before you travel. Meat and meat products, along with domestic and wild birds and their products from countries affected by bird flu, are also prohibited. Live animals require a health certificate showing proof of necessary inoculations, and endangered species and products may only be brought into Uganda with permission of CITES. Hunting weapons are only admitted with authorisation from the Ministry of Interior. |
| Prohibited Exports: | A special permit is required to export game trophies. |
Issuing Authorities
Ugandan High Commission
882 Stanza Bopape St, Pretoria (Cnr Balmoral & Church St),
Tel: 012 342 6031 /2 /3
E-mail: ugacomer@mweb.co.za
Web: www.pretoria.mofa.go.ug
Public Holidays 2025: Jan 1, 26; Feb 16; Mar 8, 31; Apr 18, 21; May 1; Jun 3, 7, 9; Oct 9; Dec 25-26
Public Holidays 2026: Jan 1, 26; Feb 16; Mar 8, 20; Apr 3, 6; May 1, 27; Jun 3, 9; Oct 9; Dec 25-26
Visa Requirements
Visas are required by SA passport holders.
Visas must be applied for online at https://visas.immigration.go.ug/.
Once the visa is approved online, you can schedule an appointment to collect your visa sticker at the Uganda High Commission in Pretoria (take visa approval letter, passport and copies of documents uploaded online)
REQUIREMENTS
Single Entry:
- A letter stating reason for transit and country of destination
- Return Ticket
- Cover letter detailing the purpose of visit
- Support Document for the purpose of visit (Medical)
- Immigration Status of the Host
- Return Ticket
- Invitation Letter
- Invitation letter for the Conference
- Recent Passport-size Photograph
- Passport bio-data page (with validity of at least 6 months)
- Vaccination Certificate (Yellow Fever)
Transit:
- Passport (Bio-data page) with atleast 6 months validity
- A letter stating reason for transit and country of destination
- Vaccination Certificate (Yellow Fever)
- Recent Passport size Photograph
Visa Cost
Single entry / Transit: US$50
Multiple entry US$100
NOTE: Online payments are subjected to a 3% surcharge fee. The eVisa system currently accepts only the following credit card/debit cards: MasterCard and Visa.
SA Representative
SA High Commission
15A Nakasero Road, Kampala
Tel: +256 41 770 2100
E-mail: kampala.sahc@dirco.gov.za
Web: dirco1.azurewebsites.net/uganda/
Travel Health
| Compulsory: | Yellow Fever |
| Recommended: | Hepatitis A & B, Meningitis, Rabies, Typhoid, Tetanus, Polio |
| Malaria Risk |
