Is Uganda Safe to Visit

Is Uganda Safe to Visit: If you ask me now whether Uganda is safe to visit? The answer is yes. However, the answer to the safety of Uganda cannot just be shrinking in a 3-letter word. This article is going to delve into details and by the end, it will be truly safe to travel to Uganda, plus other tips to help you hike your safety in Uganda and any other safari destination in Africa. However, the anxiety you feel before choosing to go to Uganda is not bad, it is more of a feeling to propel you into learning more about the pearl of Africa.

Is Uganda Safe to Visit? The question about the safety of the safari destination you are planning to visit is very vital for your safety as well. However, just like any other country, Uganda is not 100 per cent safe, but compared to the other countries in Africa and the whole world, the security system and defence do better. Actually, all the media platforms know that Uganda is one of the best countries in Africa where peace and stability prevail and all the people carry on their work freely. However, this should not make you walk all through the town with your bags and flaunting a lot of dollars; just like other people, Ugandans to get tempted. Therefore, it is good to mind your safety and the safety of your properties will on any Ugandan safari.

Uganda is one of the African countries with a lot of freedom, somehow liberal like New York. The peace and stability of Uganda, makes it one of the safest countries you can ever visit in Africa. When you visit Uganda, it is also so easy to stay in Uganda for as long as you planned, since the people are hospitable and ready to give you all the help you want expecting a dollar in return. However, others will just love to help a “muzungu”, as all white people are called by locals, because they are excited to see you, especially in the rural areas of Uganda.

Despite, you are also an author of your security and safety in Uganda, if at all you are to have along with memorable and safe Ugandan safari, it is good to keep yourself updated with all the current news and the ways you can keep your safety intact while in the pearl of Africa. It is good to watch the news every time so that you can know how the country is going on or how the situation changes in Uganda especially if you are in the city. The only thing that is common in Kampala, are the political chaos such as riots, demonstrations among others. Therefore, if you are in Kampala during a Ugandan safari it is good that you observe clearly what is prevailing in the areas around you via news on different media.

What are the main safety areas of concern?

If you are new and unfamiliar to Uganda, or it is your first time to be in Africa or Uganda, there are specific thing you should really get concerned about in order to make a final decision to travel to the pearl of Africa. Almost all the African countries have once gone through some serious security turmoil; bad others are still straggling for peace. Therefore, the following areas of safety concern are vital for you to know about Uganda.

The political situation in Uganda

Uganda, just like any other county, holds demonstrations on streets and political rallies. The politician violence, demonstrations, and strikes are common in the town areas of Uganda, and they happen suddenly even before you know. The demonstrations in Kampala and other towns are easily suppressed by the police department of Uganda. But still, the violence in Kampala and other political chaos can cause serious damage and sometimes deaths, therefore, it is best if you stay out of all kinds of crowds and gatherings in the city centre during a Uganda safari. Also keep on being updated on social media, tv and internet channels about the situation in Uganda. But if at all a demonstration finds you in town, just move fast to the main police station in Kampala, or get help from any police personnel you can find fully dressed in a uniform.

However, in the past years, the political unrest in Uganda was somehow rampant and a lot of travellers where being stopped from visiting Uganda. For example, the northern region of Uganda was infested with the Lord Resistance Army, an insurgent group of criminals and lawbreakers which caused a lot of turmoil and political unrest in areas of Karamoja, Gulu, Amuriya, and other areas within the northern region of Uganda. However, the government of Uganda managed to get rid of the rebels in northern Uganda, and currently, the area is safe; but the people and the children are stillborn with war scares such as the nodding disease and others.

Diseases and health during a Uganda safari

It is good to be fully concerned about your health while on a Ugandan safari. Uganda is a landlocked country, however, it is a business centre for almost all the east African countries, therefore, the diseases are spread fast and you should be careful about this. There was a series of the outbreak of yellow fever in the northern part of Uganda around 2010, and recently, there was an outbreak of Ebola in Uganda around 2018 t0 2019. Also, malaria is on a high rise in Uganda and it is rampant in the rural areas during the rainy season, and the areas on a higher altitude, like in highland areas such as Bwindi impenetrable national park, and the other parts in the south western part of Uganda.

If you are travelling to Uganda, it is good that you carry with you a first aid kit with some anti-malaria and an insect repellent cream. It is also vital to take a yellow fever vaccination before you take your flight to Uganda. Also, the tsetse flies are many in the savannah national parks of Queen Elizabeth national park, and Murchison falls national park. However, if there is anything serious, there are hospitals in Kampala where you can get first-hand treatment such as the international hospital Kampala among others. Also, be careful with which places you buy your food from while on a Uganda safari.

Safety and security in Uganda

Just like any other country in the world, the crime threats in Uganda are present; however, they are among the things you can avoid, just by taking caution. There is no doubt; Uganda is the freest country in Africa and the safest to travel to. However, these are some crimes that are common in any urban centre, such as petty theft, pick pocketing, credit card fraud, conmen and others. But this is how you stay safe from the common crime rates in Uganda, stay away from crown gatherings, hold your bag tight if at all you are in downtown. It is also important to understand the currency of exchange in Uganda, therefore when you go to a shop or buy anything, youse the real or actual shillings rather than the dollars.

Races and sexuality groups

Uganda is a liberal country and not a lot of people mind about your sexuality and race. Therefore, nothing you should worry about in terms of racial segregation while on a Ugandan safari. Despite, LGBTQ, is a new concept to the country despite the fact that it is now getting spread. Therefore, it might not look good if you kiss in public; the Ugandan people respect culture a lot. However, if you are in Kampala, the pressure is not much and you can do anything but still not in public areas. The Ugandan people are truly religious and find all the other things opposing their faith very strange and unusual, but they will still give you all the hospitality you want.

How to stay safe in Uganda (Is Uganda Safe to Visit)

Hire a guide to take you around
Do not act so innocent about the country or you will get robbed
Read something about Uganda before travelling to the pearl
Keep a low profile so that you can blend in
Respect the Ugandan culture
Follow all the instruction given to you by the tour guide or the game ranger among others.