Uganda
Traveling to · Uganda
Weather right now
19°C
Sun
27° / 19°
Mon
26° / 20°
Tue
27° / 20°
Wed
26° / 20°
Country facts
Capital
Kampala
Language
sw · sw
Currency
UGX USh
Emergency
999 police 112 all
Tipping
10% at restaurants; gorilla trekking guides 10-20 USD/day.
Plug & power
Type G · 240V · 50Hz (UK 3-pin)
When to visit
December–March (drier season). May–November is rainy season — afternoon showers daily.
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
high season
low season
Typical costs (USD)
Hotel · budget
$20-50
per night
Hotel · midrange
$60-130
per night
Meal
$4-15
restaurant, typical
Transit
$1-4
single trip
Excellent value. Tourist-zone prices higher; off-the-beaten-path very affordable.
Essential phrases
Hello
Habari
Thank you
Asante
Please
Tafadhali
Excuse me
Samahani
Sorry
Pole
Where is the toilet?
Choo kiko wapi?
How much?
Kiasi gani?
Help!
Msaada!
I don't understand
sielewi
Water
Maji
Tea
Chai
Coffee
Kahawa
Translate any phrase →
Open the full translation grid — your phrase will appear in 65 languages with audio and a cross-check verdict on each card.
Numbers
0
0
Sifuri
Zero
1
1
Moja
One
2
2
Mbili
Two
3
3
Tatu
Three
4
4
Nne
Four
5
5
Tano
Five
6
6
Sita
Six
7
7
Saba
Seven
8
8
Nane
Eight
9
9
Tisa
Nine
10
10
Kumi
Ten
20
20
Ishirini
Twenty
50
50
Hamsini
Fifty
100
100
Mia
Hundred
1000
1000
Elfu
Thousand
What to pack
- Lightweight quick-dry clothing
- Strong SPF + sun hat
- Modest cover-up for religious sites
- Mosquito repellent (DEET)
- Bottled water for drinking + teeth
- Stomach prep (probiotic, Imodium)
- Sandals + closed shoes
Cultural notes
- Gorilla trekking permits (~$700) sell out 6-12 months ahead
- English official + Swahili spoken in some regions + Luganda common
- Conservative dress code outside Kampala — covered shoulders/knees
- Boda-bodas (motorcycle taxis) are fast and dangerous — request helmet
- LGBT+ travel: legal risk is real — discretion essential
Universal courtesies
Apply everywhere, every country — respect travels with you.
- Try a greeting in the local language even if it's the only word you know — it's appreciated everywhere.
- Match local dress norms when entering religious sites, government buildings, or rural areas.
- Ask before photographing people, especially children or in religious settings.
- Tipping customs vary — never assume your home country's expectation applies.
- Remove shoes when entering homes if your host does; watch their cue.
- Keep voices lower than at home in temples, mosques, museums, public transport.
- Hands and gestures mean different things across cultures — observe before reaching out.
- Cash + cards: rural areas often need cash; major cities take cards. Carry small notes.
- Don't compare countries to each other in front of locals — every culture stands on its own.
- If you don't know the etiquette, watching for 30 seconds usually teaches it.