Uganda
Travel tips for Uganda: safety advisories, currency and cash vs. card, tap water, plugs, local phrases, food, and advice from travelers.
Cash and cards
Carry some cash. Recent Reddit reports show cards work at major hotels, supermarkets, and upscale restaurants, but cash or local Mobile Money (MTN/Airtel) remains essential for daily expenses like bodabodas, markets, and small vendors.
Try the food
- Rolex: A popular street food consisting of an omelette rolled inside a warm chapati, often with cabbage, tomatoes, and onions.
- Matoke (Matooke): A staple dish of savory green bananas that are steamed in their own leaves and mashed into a soft, yellow puree.
- Luwombo (Oluwombo): A rich stew of chicken, beef, or groundnuts slowly cooked in a pouch made from smoked banana leaves.
Essentials
- Plugs
- Type G
- Voltage
- 240V, 50Hz
- Driving
- Left side
- Tap water
- Avoid — buy bottled
- Emergency
- 999 / 112 (all services)
- SIM tip
- Pick up an MTN or Airtel SIM card at the kiosks just outside arrivals at Entebbe Airport, but be prepared to show your passport and have your photo taken for registration.
Etiquette
Greetings are highly valued in Ugandan culture; always take the time to exchange pleasantries and ask how someone is doing before making a request or starting a transaction.