Uganda Statistics

Geography-Population

Capital:  Kampala

Area:  236,040 km²

Climate:  equatorial climate

Population:  32,369,558 (est. 2009)

Languages:  English, Swahili

Government-Economy

Government Type: Democratic RepublicGDP: $42.194 billion (est. 2010)
GDP – per capita (PPP): $1,226 (est. 2010)

Information for Foreign Students in UgandaGetting There Entebbe Airport is the hub for Ugandan air travel. Many flights to cities in Africa take place from here.

Obtaining a Visa Ugandan visas are issued at Missions/Embassies and also at all Entry/Exit Points. The Uganda Visa Policy uses the principle of reciprocity, that is, all countries that require visas for Ugandans are visa prone in Uganda. Please visit the following website for more information: http://www.ugandaembassy.com/visa.html.

Money Currency used in Uganda is the Ugandan shilling (UGX). ATMs are plentiful, but credit cards are accepted at very fez businesses, usually just the larger hotels and supermarkets. Note that AMEX is not accepted anywhere.

Health
AIDS/HIV infection rate is very high (even though lower than neighbouring countries). Take precautions against malaria! It is worth seeking out a packet of Artenam while you are in Kampala if you are travelling up-country. Artenam is a reliable treatment and works on chloroquine-resistant malaria strains too. Ebola and Marburg outbreaks have occurred within the region and travelers should be careful of caves and animal bites.

Safety Travel north to Murchison Falls National Park and Ajai Game Reserve is perfectly safe. Note that overlanders from Tanzania and Kenya regularly make the trip routing through Jinja. As in any urban area, Kampala can be dodgy. One is well advised to remain in tourist areas, but sensibly garbed visitors not dangling the latest cameras, flashy jewellery or bulging bags are not likely to draw unwanted attention to themselves.

TransportationIn Kampala and some other towns, the boda-boda is a good way to get from place to place. These are small mopeds, motorcycles, bicycles or scooters with cushions on the back and are cheap transport as used by locals. If using a boda-boda, be extremely careful as they are frequently involved in accidents; however, in spite of this, they are a fun and fast way to get around. The best way to get around Kampala and the neighbouring towns is by using minibus-type taxis called 'taxi'. This is the most efficient and cost-effective method of transportation in urban areas, but try not to get ripped off by the conductors as they sometimes try to overcharge tourists. They usually take 14 passengers plus a conductor, though in smaller country towns overcrowding still occurs. Minibus taxis are relatively cheap, frequent (in Kampala), and may make lots of stops along the way.