Coronavirus COVID-19 Travel Guide for Uganda
Kara-Tunga, Karamoja Tours (Northeast Uganda) specialist is committed to providing accurate information for travellers to Uganda and Karamoja in particular. We have consolidated links to sites about COVID-19 below, so you can easily access the resources you need to make informed travel decisions.
General guidelines
- Small groups, free independent traveler, or household groups are favoured to promote distancing.
- Physical distancing does not need to apply to household units.
- Physical distancing should be practiced as much as possible if the group involves more than one household unit.
- Use face coverings when in situations of higher risk of virus transmission. Examples include: transportation, check in, during close-proximity instruction, helping each other set up shelters, or when camping on shared areas where distancing is difficult to maintain.
Karamoja-specific updates:
- Guides: our guides are responsible for adhering and monitoring the standard operating procedures during activities by guests and host communities.
- Cultural tours: Our cultural activities have changed to protect the indigenous communities by only visiting small communities in coordination with the local leaders. Guests are expected to adhere all SOP’s and will not be able to actively participate in activities like dances, drama and workshops. Homestay is only possible when guests sleep in a tent and interaction will only take place in open spaces.
- Outdoor adventures: It’s not advised for people to wear masks while doing physical exercise, therefore It’s important to keep proper social distance. Masks are obligatory when passing through communities.
- Camping: Only guests who are from the same household can sleep in the same tent during the experience. Equipment will be packed while wearing Personal Protective Equipment and washed with disinfecting detergent.
Download guidelines
We use the publicly available guidelines of Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA). Download the documents below:
Airport Arrivals & Departures
Uganda has initiated new airport procedures in accordance with guidelines from the International Civil Aviation Organization, a specialized agency of the United Nations.
More information about the latest travel and entry restrictions can be found via the IATA Travel Center website: Interactive Coronavirus (Covid-19) Travel Regulations Map.
- Every passenger must arrive with a negative Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) COVID-19 test certificate for a test conducted within 72 hours prior to arrival in Uganda. Airlines have been instructed not to board any passengers coming to Uganda without a negative PCR COVID-19 test. Any passenger without a negative PCR test will not be allowed to enter the country and must return to their point of origin via the same airline.
- On arrival, all passengers will undergo a health screening including a temperature check and assessment for other signs of infectious diseases. Screenings will be conducted by the Port Health Team supported by the Ministry of Health. Any passenger who shows signs and symptoms of infectious disease on arrival will be taken to a waiting ambulance and transferred to an isolation center at the Entebbe Hospital where infectious disease checks and a COVID-19 test will be administered. Results will be provided within 24-48 hours as the passenger remains in the isolation center. If passenger tests positive for COVID-19, the passenger will be taken to a dedicated COVID-19 treatment center.
- Passengers leaving Uganda must have a negative COVID-19 PCR test done within 72 hours before boarding. Passengers are advised to arrive at the airport at least four hours before departure to allow for security and health screenings.
- Mandatory use of masks and social distancing of 5 feet within the terminals will be enforced. Access will be barred to those without a face mask.
National parks and wildlife reserves
Uganda Wildlife Authority: All parks are open for tourism including primate parks.
- Find latest information about Uganda’s national parks and wildlife reserves on the official twitter account of the Uganda Wildlife Authority.
- Find latest information about Uganda’s National Forest Reserves on the official twitter account of Uganda’s National Forest Authority.
- Mandatory temperature screenings using non-contact infra-red thermometers will be conducted by UWA representatives at key tourism gates. Visitors, staff, and trackers will have their temperature checked at every briefing point for gorilla and chimpanzee tracking.
- The use of mandatory face masks while inside all national parks will be enforced. Travelers participating in primate trekking must carry at least two N95 masks, surgical masks, or double-layered cloth masks with filters to ensure single-use for each day of visitation. The masks should cover the nose and mouth at all times.
- Hand washing and sanitizing at all entrances to national parks and protected areas is mandatory and will be enforced.
- Visitors without masks or who do not abide by handwashing and sanitization measures will not be permitted to enter the national parks or protected areas.
- Vehicles and boats within Uganda’s national parks will operate at half capacity in accordance with government social distancing guidelines.
- Social distancing is enforced. During primate trekking, UWA guides will ensure there is a minimum of 6.5 feet between tourists. Tourists are now required to stay a minimum of 32 feet away from primates.
Ugandan government
Public and private transport
Public transport is allowed to operate provided they carry passengers with half capacity. Movement by personal vehicles is now permitted in all districts, including those with an international border, but is still limited to 4 people per car (including the driver) and all must wear masks if there is more than one person in the vehicle.
Passengers travelling on flights departing during curfew hours (9pm to 5:30am) will be allowed to travel to the airport upon presentation of a valid ticket.
Tuk tuks and boda bodas (motorbike taxis) are allowed to carry passengers, but must stop operating by 6pm.
Curfew
There’s a nationwide curfew in place from 9PM until 5:30AM.
Hospitality and Tourism
Food restaurants, hotels and saloons are open as long as the clients observe social-distancing and there is no air-conditioning which spreads the virus. Gyms and saunas are only open for members.
Prevention & Planning
Uganda’s Ministry of Health is actively monitoring the current outbreak of COVID-19 (coronavirus). You can find preventative information here on their website.
Travel advisory
Travellers to Uganda and in Uganda are encouraged to read the Ministry of Health notices here.
Airlines
View the full list of airlines flying on Uganda’s main international airport ‘Entebbe International Airport (EBB)’ on airport’s website.
- Air Uganda
- British Airways
- Brussels Airlines
- Eagle Air
- Egypt Air
- Emirates Airlines
- Ethiopian Airlines
- Fly540
- Kenya Airways
- KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
- Skyjet Aviation
- South African Airways
- Rwandair Express
Hotel association
The Hotel Association of Uganda is updating their information here.
How to stay healthy
The World Health Organization recommends that individuals:
- Frequently clean hands by using alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water
- When coughing and sneezing, cover mouth and nose with flexed elbow or tissue – throw the tissue away immediately and wash hands
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth
- Avoid close contact with anyone who has a fever and cough
- Anyone concerned that they may have been exposed to, or are experiencing symptoms of the novel coronavirus, should contact their primary care provider, local public health office, or for non-emergency situations only.
- Uganda’s Ministry of Health has a COVID-19 information line at: 0800-100-066 or 0800-303-033 or 0800-203-033 or 919
Stay informed
- Call Uganda’s Ministry of Health COVID-19 information line:
- 0800-100-066 or 0800-303-033 or 0800-203-033 or 919.
- Visit Uganda’s Ministry of Health website for the latest update on COVID-19.
- Follow Uganda’s Minister of Health, Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng, on Twitter: @JaneRuth_Aceng and Uganda’s Ministry of Health @MinofHealthUG
