Traveling and Transportation

AIRLINES

Always reconfirm flights before you return.

British Airways

Behind Sheraton Hotel
Centre Court, 4 Ternan Avenue.
Phone: 257-414, 257-416
Fax: 259-181, 257-508
Email: sales@britishairways.co.ug

Sabena Belgian World Airlines

Rwenzori House, Lumumba Avenue
Phone: 234 200/1/2
Fax: 342-790

Kenya Airways

United Assurance Bldg.
1 Kimathi Avenue.
Phone: 233-068, 320-234

Tanzania Airways

United Assurance Bldg.
1 Kimathi Avenue.
Phone: 234-631, 234-673

Uganda Airways

6 Colville St.
Phone: 232-990

Ethiopian Airlines

Phone: 321-130, 320-570

Air France

Phone: 342-907, 342-908

Gulf Air

Phone: 230-524, 230-529

Egypt Air

Phone: 233-960, 341-276

United Airlines

Phone: 349-841/2

Eagle Uganda

Phone: 344-292

Emirates Airlines

Phone: 349-942/3/4

SECURITY

Kampala is relatively safe during the day but don't go out walking at night anywhere. Even early in the morning 5 am. Always use taxis or other vehicles at night when going to restaurants.

Forex bureaus are probably mostly safe but there are enough robberies involving shootouts to make one wary. The Sheraton forex is a better bet or a bank.

Watch your bag at all times, even when riding in a vehicle. Lock car doors when driving. Be careful about wearing expensive looking necklaces and bracelets that can be grabbed through a car window.

Don't leave things in car unattended even if the car door is locked.

Don't take any heirlooms or anything you would miss terribly with you.

Avoid the taxi park, Owino market, local outdoor bars if the grenade attacks are still going on.

Pay attention to the political situation. There were demonstrations on campus and downtown in January 2002 at which one journalism student was shot and killed. You want to be aware of what is going on in this respect as the political situation is changing. The random ADF grenade attacks at the taxi park and outdoor restaurants seem to have come to an end thankfully.

“Don't tempt the angels!” as Dan Mudoola, the late MISR director, advised all visitors.

SIGHTSEEING

• Kasubi tombs
• Art openings go on all the time at the Makerere Faculty of Fine Arts (just behind the Law School). Excellent chance to mingle with the diplomatic and arts groups in Kampala - and often great food!
• Entebbe Zoo is also nearby though they have moved the chimps out to an island in Lake Victoria.
• Entebbe Botanical gardens are a great place to drive through. Do not go alone and look out for thieves.

TRANSPORT

• Minibuses, called taxis
• Taxis, called special hires, can be picked up at Wandegeya. 3,000 sh around town.
• Carerental with driver: Best bet if you are with the university is to ask MISR to help arrange for a car rental (not MISR cars). Going rate is about 30,000 sh per day.
• Are other car rental services available from major hotels. Avis, Hertz etc. all operate in Kampala.
• Can find Ugandan academics who might rent a vehicle while you are in Kampala. Bring license and International drivers license with you.

TRAVELLING OUT OF KAMPALA

Many researchers prefer large buses to small minibuses, not only because they are cheaper, but also because they are a lot safer and you can carry more luggage (just keep your eyes on it at all times of course!)

US EMBASSY

Small building along Gaba Road 259 791 2/3/4/5, 259-795

Go to the US Embassy within the first few days to register your presence in the country. They will ask you to complete a form that includes a map of where you are staying. If your passport is lost or stolen it can be replaced fairly easily otherwise it could take several weeks.

USEFUL NUMBERS

Ambulance, Fire, Police 999

Doctor emergency (Int'l Medical Centre) 077-741291

Doctor: The Surgery, Emergency 075-756003

Electrical failure 254071/7, 231-770

Kampala Central Police Station 254-561

Operator 0900

Talking Pages

Celtel 800

MTN 133

UTL 343888

Uganda Telecom 256-151, 258-855

VISA

You need a visa to enter Uganda. Visas can be obtained from Embassy of Uganda in Washington DC.

5911 16th St. N.W.
Washington, DC 20011

Phone: (202) 726-7100
Fax number: (202) 726-1727
E-mail: ugembassy@aol.com

Visa application forms available:

http://ugandaweb.com/ugaembassy/

Don't forget to send a self addressed and paid for Fedex form with your application otherwise you can wait some time to have it returned to you.

or via a visa service like

Perry International
100 West Monroe PO Box 2637
Chicago, IL 60690
phone: (312) 372-2703

Visitors can import 200 cigarettes, 1 litre of wines and spirits, 1 litre of eau de toilette, 1 litre of perfume, and equipment for personal use.

OTHER TOWNS

Soroti

The best place to stay is Silent Night for Ush 15,000 with shower (no hot water) toilet, and fan.