Basic Travel Guide to Uganda

CELLULAR PHONE:
Most people in Uganda now use mobile phones and are on the GSM network. Landline calls are more expensive are being used less and less. The main mobile phone companies in Uganda are MTN and UTL. MTN has wider upcountry coverage. However, if you will be in Tanzania or Kenya, you can use UTL. It is very useful to have a mobile phone while in Uganda. All you need to do is have a GSM phone and buy a Uganda MTN or UTL SIM card once you arrive. The SIM cards cost about 15,000-
20,000 Ush. Mobile GSM phones are also easily available for purchase in Kampala for around 100,000 Ush. Once you have the SIM card you just buy phone cards to add calling time. Learn to use SMS text messaging as that is the most popular and cheapest form of communication. Calling international from Uganda is extremely expensive, however, you will not be charged for incoming international calls. There is an inexpensive international calling card your loved ones can purchase in order to call you on the cell while you are in Uganda. Information is available at www.nobelcom.com.

COMMUNICATIONS/INTERNET:
Internet cafes are readily available in Kampala and even a few upcountry. The fastest LAN connections and Skype telephone headsets and connections are at WebCity Café on Collville Ave across from the Kampala Casino in the city centre. It is about 50 Ush/min. or 30 if you buy a membership. Otherwise, UTL has just introduced wireless “hotspots” in May of 2005. Many sites are free now during this demo period. There are about a dozen sites in Kampala: Grand Imperial Hotel, Fairway Hotel, Blue Mango, Café Pap, Rwenzori Coffee, International Hospital, Infectious Disease Institute (IDI) at Mulago Hospital to name a few. Fax services are also available but quite expensive to fax international. Main postal office in Kampala is on Kampala Road by city square.

MONEY:
Cash is the operative word. You can take traveler’s checks, but realize that you should exchange these in Kampala and that the exchange rate is less than that of cash. US dollars in higher currency amounts (ie $100) are your best option in regards to exchange rates, but smaller amounts less than $20 are rarely accepted. Bring bills that have been printed after 2000. That is very important. Many merchants will absolutely not accept bills printed earlier. ATM machines are available in Kampala only. Barclays Bank and Standard Charter accept VISA cards; however you will be charged a fee by your bank in America about 5-7$ for each withdrawal. Credit cards are rarely accepted except at large hotels and they will usually charge a 6% user fee. If you do use credit cards, the most commonly accepted is VISA/Mastercard. I recommend taking both traveler’s checks, cash, VISA credit card, and ATM. Be sure when using travelers checks you have your receipt as many banks will require verification of purchase. If you are nervous about carrying large amounts of cash, keep most of it in your hotel safe. Separate your money in different places, carry some money that is easily accessible and keep the remainder in a money belt.

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