Survival Tips for your first visit to Kampala Uganda
Uganda, unlike most Western/Developed countries, has a certain culture/vibe to it. Things are done in a certain way and you may struggle to get by if you’re not prepared for it. So without further ado, here are five survival tips for your first visit to Kampala, Uganda.
1.Best to carry Cash
Most transactions in Kampala happen in cash in the local Ugandan currency, Ugandan Shillings. Credit cards are used sparingly but card transactions usually attract a 5% surcharge and it is difficult to find ATMs to withdraw cash. It is not uncommon to hear about difficulty removing cash from ATMs.
Ugandan shillings have a very low value at currently 3,600/- for US $1. Luckily, if you are staying at a hotel, they are likely to accept US Dollars. There are also foreign currency exchange bureaus in Kampala where you could get your foreign currency changed to Ugandan Shillings. It is a good idea to carry some Ugandan Shillings when you first arrive in case you are unable to get to a forex bureau or it is shut. You may need to pay the airport taxi driver, or the car may break down and you may need to pay to get it fixed/fill up the petrol.. yep, welcome to Uganda. Best to be prepared.
2. Patience
This should actually be our Tip number 1. You’ll need loads of it. In fact, we would urge you to practise patience a few days before you arrive in Uganda. Everything and we mean everything requires patience. You will need to leave all your first world habits and expectations at home and mentally prepare yourself for life in Kampala, Uganda.
Timekeeping – be prepared to wait. When a Ugandan says you will meet at 1pm, do not be surprised if the meetup happens at 2 or 3pm. Everywhere you go, there will be waiting. Whether it is in a restaurant, hotel, a meeting, a bar. Understand that in Uganda everything happens at a snail’s pace and no one has a problem with it, so best to get yourself in that mindset.
People – People in Uganda are very friendly and if you are spending a brief holiday in Uganda, you’ll probably get by without much irritation. However, should you be visiting Uganda on business or a pro-longed holiday, please prepare yourself for a slow laid back culture. As we mentioned, things in Uganda are very different from a western systematic country. If you are visiting Uganda for business and are expecting work to be done over a certain time-frame, revisit your expectations. There will be delays. If you visiting Uganda for a personal reason, perhaps you are hoping to build something in the village or do something for yourself, please revisit your expectations. In Uganda, things happen when they happen. You have to be mentally prepared for delays, lack of skill, no-shows, laziness. Whether it is to do with food taking ages to arrive in a restaurant or lack of skill from waiters or lack of presentation, you need to understand that Ugandans have not been exposed to a timely, on point/perfection work culture. Perhaps this may be slowing changing, but there is still a long way to go.
Internet – Expect slow Wi-Fi. You are visiting Uganda for a holiday and best to keep it that way. Unless you are able to procure your own fast internet data, Wi-Fi will be slow or non existent. Our hotel is an exception with fast WiFi and a few other hotels have also improved their WiFi offerings. If you are travelling on business, it is best to check internet reviews about WiFi for hotels before booking.
We are really not selling Uganda, are we? But we are being brutally honest so that when you visit, you do enjoy your stay knowing what to expect and that it is normal.
3. Traffic and getting around
Kampala has the worst case of Traffic a city has seen. Should you get stuck in traffic during peak hours, expect to spend between 1-2 hours in traffic just to get to your destination which would have been half an hour away without traffic.
Avoid peak hours which are between 8:00am-9am and 6pm-8pm.
Also, best not to hire a car to get around. Traffic rules are non existent in Kampala and you’ll be taking on a challenge you can’t beat. Click here on ways to get around Kampala.
4. Health and Wellness
Malaria – make sure you carry your insect repellents. Kampala is a warm humid country and there are bound to be mosquitos. If your hotel has a mosquito net, that’s great news but best to be prepared.
Eating out – We would recommend that you try the Uganda street food, Rolex, which is short for Rolled Eggs. This is basically an omelette rolled in chapati. However, be careful where you eat as hygiene may be a problem. Avoid eating on the street or ask a local Ugandan friend where you could try the Rolex. We do have this on our menu if you would like to try it too. We would also recommend that you try Matooke, a local Ugandan Staple food. Matooke are boiled/mashed green plantains served with a sauce.
Drinking Water – Do not drink tap water, it is not safe. Buy only mineral water.
5. Electrical Plugs
Be sure to carry UK 240 V plugs for use in Uganda. These will be handy incase you are visiting from European/Asian countries. You can also purchase these from our reception incase you forget to pack one!
Hope you found our survival tips for visiting Kampala Uganda helpful! Feel free to get in touch if you would like to know more at info@prestigehotelsuites.com