Uganda

General Map

Medical Summary

The health risk information presented here is summarized from Shoreland Travax^®, a decision-support tool used by health care providers to perform a detailed health risk analysis based on specific locations, individual travel styles, and traveler risk behaviors. Travax provides practitioners current, independently researched malaria risk and prevention recommendations in a map-based format that goes beyond the annual WHO and US CDC statements included here. Not included here are current reports from Travax of disease outbreaks or environmental events that may pose elevated risks to travelers’ health and safety. The Providers section of this site offers a directory of health care providers who utilize Shoreland Travax for travel health counseling. Learn more about the detailed reports and maps available from these practitioners (includes links to samples).

General Information

Uganda is a developing nation classified as low income. Located in eastern Africa (north of Lake Victoria and west of Kenya), the climate is classified as predominantly humid equatorial (long dry season), with cooler temperatures in some high-altitude areas.

Vaccinations

Yellow Fever

Requirement: A certificate proving yellow fever vaccination is required for all travelers aged ≥ 1 year.
Official Status: listed by WHO as a country where YF transmission risk is present.

Other Vaccines

Depending on your itinerary, your personal risk factors, and the length of your visit, your health care provider may offer you vaccination against cholera, COVID-19, Ebola virus disease, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, influenza, measles, mumps, rubella, meningococcal meningitis, rabies, or typhoid fever. Routine immunizations, such as those that prevent tetanus/diphtheria or "childhood" diseases, should be reviewed and updated as needed.

Malaria

WHO—International Travel and Health (current online update, Country List)

(2018) Malaria risk due predominantly to P. falciparum exists throughout the year in the entire country.

Recommended prevention: C – Risk of P. falciparum malaria, in combination with reported chloroquine and sulfadoxine–pyrimethamine resistance. Mosquito bite prevention plus atovaquone–proguanil or doxycycline or mefloquine chemoprophylaxis (select according to reported side effects and contraindications) ^a
^aAlternatively, for travel to rural areas with low risk of malaria infection, mosquito bite prevention can be combined with stand–by emergency treatment (SBET).

WHO Country List footnote: When available, the date of the most recent update or confirmation is indicated in parentheses in the country list. If no date is indicated, the most recent update or confirmation was provided before 2013.

CDC—Health Information for International Travel (current online edition)

Areas with malaria: All.

Drug resistance³ : Chloroquine.
Malaria species: P. falciparum >85%; remainder P. malariae, P. ovale, and P. vivax.
Recommended chemoprophylaxis: Atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline, mefloquine, or tafenoquine.⁴
³ Refers to P. falciparum malaria unless otherwise noted.
⁴ Primaquine and tafenoquine can cause hemolytic anemia in people with G6PD deficiency. Patients must be screened for G6PD deficiency before starting primaquine or tafenoquine. See Tafenoquine Approved for Malaria Prophylaxis and Treatment for more information.

Other Concerns

Travelers' Diarrhea

High risk exists throughout the country, including in deluxe accommodations. Community sanitation and food safety measures are generally inadequate. Some itineraries (e.g., remote destinations, austere accommodations) and activities (e.g., ecotourism, eating street or local-market food) further increase risk.

Travelers should observe food and beverage precautions, which reduce the likelihood of illness.

Travelers should carry loperamide for self-treatment of diarrhea and, if risk is moderate to high, an antibiotic to add if diarrhea is severe. Consult a knowledgeable health care provider regarding which antibiotic is appropriate for you and most effective for your destination.

Insect- and Arthropod-Borne Diseases

African trypanosomiasis, chikungunya, dengue, leishmaniasis, onchocerciasis, Rift Valley fever, tick-bite fever, West Nile virus, Zika may pose a risk. Personal protective measures are important.

Other Disease and Health Risks

Additional concerns include air pollution, anthrax disease, Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, helminths, leptospirosis, Marburg virus disease, plague, schistosomiasis, sexually transmitted infections, snakebites, tuberculosis.

Consular Advice

The material below includes information from the US Department of State (DOS), the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCO), Global Affairs Canada (GAC), and Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), as well as from additional open-source material. Standard safety precautions that apply to all international travel can be found in the Library article Safety and Security.

Consular Travel Advice

Due to ongoing security concerns, Canada (GAC) advises avoiding travel to Karamoja Region and to within 50 km (31 mi) of the border with South Sudan and advises reconsidering travel (or avoiding nonessential travel) within 50 km of the border with Democratic Republic of the Congo and to Kampala. US (DOS) advises reconsidering travel (or avoiding nonessential travel) to this country. UK (FCO) and Australia (DFAT) have more limited warnings.

Terrorism Risk

Risk of attack by transnational terrorist groups exists throughout the country. Targets may include domestic and international organizations and businesses; public places and events, including those frequented by tourists; and transportation systems.

Crime

High risk of violent crime (armed robbery, sexual assault, carjacking) and high risk of petty crime exist throughout the country, especially in Kampala and other cities. Theft of valuables from stationary vehicles in traffic is common.

Scams involving a wide range of financial activities have been reported.

Risk exists of robberies and/or assaults occurring after consuming intentionally drugged food or drink; tourists are frequently targeted.

Civil Unrest

Protests and demonstrations occur throughout the country, especially in Kampala, and have the potential to turn violent without warning. Bystanders are at risk of harm from violence or from the response by authorities. Disruption to transportation, free movement, or the ability to carry out daily activities may occur.

Unsafe Areas

Ethnic tensions are present and a dangerous security environment may exist in areas bordering the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Water Safety

Passenger boats may be unsafe, including ferries on Lake Albert and Lake Victoria. Decline water transportation in vessels that appear overloaded or lack personal flotation devices or life jackets.

Other Safety Threats

Risk exists for fatal wildlife attacks on safaris and in game parks and reserves. Travelers should closely follow park regulations, always maintain a safe distance from wildlife, and should not exit vehicles or protected enclosures.

Transportation Safety

Significant risk of traffic-related injury or death exists. The road traffic death rate is more than 24 per 100,000 population, the highest risk category. Carefully assess the safety of transportation options before any road travel.

Seat belt laws are poorly enforced.

Structural standards for vehicles may not meet international standards.

Natural Disasters

The rainy seasons are from March through May and October through November. Floods, mudslides, and landslides may occur.

Seismic activity occurs.

Consular Information

Selected Embassies or Consulates in Uganda

United States: [+256] 414-259791; ug.usembassy.gov
Canada: [+256] 414-258-141; travel.gc.ca/assistance/embassies-consulates/uganda
United Kingdom: [+256] 312-312000; www.gov.uk/world/organisations/british-high-commission-kampala
Australia: [+256] 39-3515-865

Uganda's Embassies or Consulates in Selected Countries

In the U.S.: washington.mofa.go.ug
In the U.K.: london.mofa.go.ug
In Australia: canberra.mofa.go.ug

Visa/HIV Testing

HIV testing is not required to obtain a tourist, work, or residence visa.

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