Each day I receive emails asking me the same question.  Is Uganda safe for visitors?  Is is safe for a westerner?  Is Uganda safe for an American visitor?  I look at my analytical program for my website and see the same question..."Is Uganda safe?"

Uganda is safe and secure.  There is no war going on inside of Uganda.  There has been peace in the north for over 2 1/2 years in regards with the LRA Joseph Kony rebels.  There is no rebel activity inside of Uganda in June 2009.

I live in Uganda, do I feel unsafe?  No, I do not.  When research security and safety going to sites like the Lonely Planet and other travel sites what I find is outdated information that goes back to 2004.  A person from Clinton Iowa looks at coming here reads such mis-information as if it is the present state of security in Uganda.  Westerners have a bad enough image of the pearl of Africa fueled by partially fictional films such as "Last King of Scotland" and what newspaper writers report in the USA.  It is primarily the USA that circulates erroneous information about Uganda.  (I am an American)  Europe seems to be a bit more informed on the current situation here.

Uganda is one of the more secure destinations in the world for a westerner.  The people here in Uganda are friendly for the most part, a taxi driver, or for hire vehicle may take advantage of you, but normally you are safe, especially if you take precautions to ensure your safety.

What are the most dangerous situations for visitors to Uganda? 

• Driving in Uganda is the most dangerous activity.  Most safari companies use excellent drivers that have accident free driving records and I cannot remember when I read of a safari driver having an accident.  I would not suggest self-drive especially for those from the USA or Europe where right hand driving is the norm.  Here the rule for driving is the biggest vehicle wins, he who is most daring wins...hmmm.

• Avoid Boda-Boda Motorcycle taxis for transportation.  Boda-Boda vehicles are the second most frequent reason for hospital admission.  When you see how they drive, no helmets for the most part, passing on any side, you will know why.

• Avoid Mosquito Girls at any cost (prostitutes or bar girls), the result will be no AIDS, no STD's and yes, no robberies.  Those attractive women have a habit of taking your cell phone, wallet, watch, rings and anything else you might have in your hotel room.  Prostitutes also use knock-out drugs here and there in order to take your money and things.

• Avoid night driving except between  Entebbe Airport and Kampala if you must.  It is best to be met by someone at the airport if you are arriving at night and who knows Uganda and can take you to your destination in Kampala.  There are hotels available from budget to luxury in the Entebbe area.  If you are driving to any other towns, wait till daylight.  Daylight is just after 6 and ends just after 7 pm.

• Do not drive to the Karamajong area, even Kidepo Valley National Park, unless you fly or go with a people who come from their.  That is one region where banditry might occur due to poverty amongst the people there.

• Leave your cash in your wallet.  Do not flash currency.

• Do not wear expensive jewelry.

• Avoid walking at night alone.

• If you are taking a bus, avoid taking food from another passenger.  People have been drugged and robbed on public busses.

• If there is a public demonstration of any kind, stay away.

In the west, in the USA or Europe there are place where I would most likely tell you where not to go, there are places here I would tell you to avoid as I have done here. 

There is no insecurity here, most security bulletins you see on travel sites are outdated. Just like much of the information is regarding the war in northern Uganda, much of it is pre-2006.  Even places like Lonely Planet still have outdated information on their website in regards to Murchison Falls Park.  You will also find some bulletins that speak of only using the game tracks around Paraa Lodge and not go to the north of the Park.  Most tour companies do that anyway, even though the north of the Park is safe in 2009.  The US State department no longer has a travel advisory for Murchison Falls Park and no travel advisory except that you be well prepared and have reservations for lodging.  They do recommend traveling during daytime hours and with a well equipped vehicle.

In emails people ask, is Bwindi Impenetrable Forest safe, the answer is yes.  In 1997 there was an unfortunate incident when some tourists were killed by Interhamwe Hutu militia crossed into Uganda from the Democratic Republic of Congo.  There have been no incidents of any kind in Bwindi or any park close to the DRC.  When you go gorilla tracking there is not only the Uganda Wildlife Authority ranger to guide you, but soldiers from the Ugandan Army, yet you find no incidents of tourists being attacked and there have been thousands upon thousands of tourists in the park.

There was an unfortunate incident in eastern Uganda on Mount Elgon where a tourist was killed last year.   The Uganda Wildlife Authority has evicted herdsmen from the park since that time in February of 2008.  No further incidents have been reported in the area.

Lastly two tourists, one from the USA came down with the Marburg virus after visiting a bat cave in Queen Elizabeth Park.  The bat cave tours have been shut down by Uganda Wildlife Authority and presently it the cave is closed to visitors.

One must be realistic, problems can occur in any country in the world, including in western countries such as the USA or the UK, and they do. There have been problems for tourists in both of the above countries for example and they can be found in the news.  Problems can occur in any country, including Uganda, yet the majority of visitors find Uganda an enjoyable destination, a safe place to visit, and trouble free if you follow some of the advice on this and other pages on this site. Enjoy your safari (trip) to Uganda...from Kampala...jon

Security Update for Uganda:  September 10 to 12 2009 there were riots in the Kampala area of the country.  The riots stopped after three days and peace has returned to Kampala.  The government and the cultural Kingdom are making every effort to prevent such things in the future.  No tourists were harmed during these riots, some arriving passengers were temporarily delayed but no harm came to any of them. 

The US Embassy advises to stay away from large gatherings.