Insurance
Take a health insurance if you require specialized health care. However, there are several health facilities that offer quality healthcare in Uganda especially in the capital. Also take a travel insurance policy for your valuables. It is best to keep track of your possessions. Make sure you photocopy the main page of your passport so that in the event of theft or loss, you can promptly be issued with a new one. Also, note down your valuables plus the serial numbers. In addition, take down the details of your bank, credit card, travellers’ cheques and a record of those you have already cashed and keep this information on you.
Finances
It is advisable to carry most of your money in form of Travellers’ Cheques from the security point of view as these are less likely to be stolen compared to hard cash, and in the event that they are, it’s easy to get refunded. You can also carry a part of it in hard cash. However, should you choose to come with the bulk of your money in US dollars, or carry dollars, it must be in denominations of 50 US$ and above and printed after the year 2000. Larger denomination bills US$ 50/100 attract a better exchange rate than travelers cheques while smaller denominations US$ 20 and below attract lousy rates. This doesn’t mean that you should shun small denominations, limit the amount for they come in handy at Duty Free Shops at the airports. The Euro and Pound is easily exchangeable and you do not need to change these into dollars then Uganda Shillings but straight into the local currency. At private forex bureaus this is done at a snap of one’s finger but at banks it is a bit lengthy and may involve providing some paperwork. Forex Bureaus are open from 9.00am to 5.00 pm although some are an exception especially the ones in hotels and are open 24 hours. Banks on the other hand are open from 9.00am till 5.00pm for week days and from 9.00am to 12.00 noon on Saturdays. All banks are closed on Sundays and so are Forex Bureaus. Credit cards are accepted in most upmarket hotels in the city, and in some shops and supermarkets. Visa is more acceptable than MasterCard and other options. Local banks allow you to withdraw a limited amount of local currency against an internationally recognized credit or debit card at their ATMS.
Carrying Money and Valuables
Carry all your hard currency, passport and important documentation in a money belt hidden by your clothes. The best money belt is one made of cotton or another natural fabric but Uganda being a humid country, take precaution and wrap everything in plastic. Desist from an external money belt for it will most certainly attract thieves.
Budgeting
Independent travel in Uganda is inexpensive by most standards and you can greatly keep your expenses at a minimum without having to stick to the cheapest room or eat the cheapest item on the menu.
