Is It Safe To Travel To Uganda in 2023?
Can I visit Uganda now? Is it safe to travel to Uganda for a safari holiday? Uganda is generally the safest travel and tourism destination in Africa. As a country, it has enjoyed decades of political stability and its borders are secure not only to tourists but also to other daily operations.
Aside from the many positives, there are opportunistic crimes just like other destinations and they include home robbery, petty theft, fraud, and others. But these are avoidable provided you observe caution and always respect the stipulated laws.
is it safe to travel to Uganda?
Are there terrorists in Uganda? Can I travel in a car, should I be worried about carjackers? How safe is Uganda food? If you are visiting Uganda for the first time, the above are some of the frequently asked questions you should expect. Traveling to a new destination like Uganda comes with lots of anxiety. Each year, there are 1000s of tourists visiting Uganda for a holiday. Cases of terror attacks aren’t as rampant as it is cities such as New York or London.
Uganda has an active security force with fully trained counter-terrorism officers who coordinate with other security organs to ensure the country is safe for everyone to live in and for tourists to explore its natural wonders safely. Matters related to terrorism are responded to quickly and it is a reason Uganda has been and is still is a safe destination.
Terrorism & regional security
For decades, Uganda has enjoyed terror-free spaces thanks to its active and vigilant security forces. The security forces collectively conduct operations against terrorism and it is a reason why the country has managed to overcome several rebel groups such as the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), and Allied Democratic Forces and they are playing a significant security role in the cross-borders including Somalia.
Safety and security in Uganda
Despite the positives Uganda has registered concerning its security and safety matters, like any country, petty crime threats are recorded. These can be avoided given that you observe caution. To help curb crimes, there are local police who do patrols and most of them are even deployed in crime-prone areas. The country’s National Parks and other safari destinations are properly guarded by trained park rangers, tourism police, hotel or lodge security, and the military army.
The political situation (civil unrest in Uganda)
Uganda experienced political/civil unrest in the Northern side of the country earlier in 2005. This was when the Lord Resistance Army invaded the country, but the group was successfully driven away and they are in their hiding in South Sudan.
Health & diseases
Like the rest of the world, Uganda was affected by the outbreak of coronavirus. But few people lost their lives as a result thanks to the government’s quick response and medical team commitment. A number of safety measures or restrictions were put forward by the Ministry of Health and luckily, the population responded and observed them.
Road traffic & safety
Ugandan roads have tremendously improved and connectivity to destinations is easier by car or motorcycle depending on the distance. However, to enjoy a smooth road trip in Uganda, you must observe the stipulated driving or traffic rules. These include observing the driving speed limit of 100 km per hour while on the highway and urban 50-80 km per hour.
Wear seat belts –this applies to drivers and all passengers on a road trip. Respect other road users such as pedestrians and be cautious of livestock, especially when driving in up country roads. Observe the country’s road signs throughout your journey. Park in designated points –respect the parking sign rules.