Uganda is a safe country for travelers to visit. It is a relatively peaceful country. The people are friendly and welcoming. Uganda is also politically stable. The police do a good job of keeping the peace. That said, there are some risks to be aware of. Uganda does have a high crime rate. Petty theft and robberies are relatively common. There have been instances of terrorism. If you take some basic precautions to protect yourself and your belongings from theft and scams, Uganda can be a perfectly safe place to travel both independently or on a tour.
This guide outlines all of the crimes and scams that exist in Uganda and explains how to avoid them. I’ll cover all of the most common safety concerns including petty theft, pickpocketing, robbery, scams, terrorism, kidnapping, disease, road safety, and more. I’ll also outline some potentially dangerous regions to avoid. Finally, I’ll share a few tips to help you stay safe. In this guide, we’ll look at the facts and help you make an informed decision about whether or not Uganda is a safe destination for your next trip.
Uganda is one of the best African countries to visit thanks to the incredible wildlife and natural beauty. I have visited Uganda 3 times. I just spent the past 5 months there. Over the years, I have traveled the country pretty extensively and have never had any serious issues with security. In this guide, I’ll share my experience.
Key Takeaways: Is Uganda Safe?
Yes. Uganda is a relatively safe country to visit as long as you take some basic precautions and avoid a few dangerous regions.
According to the U.S. Department of State travel advisory, Uganda is a level 3. According to the advisory, visitors should reconsider travel due to the risk of crime and terrorism.
A few of the biggest dangers for travelers visiting Uganda include petty theft/pickpocketing, auto accidents, disease (malaria, typhoid, traveler’s diarrhea), scams, corruption, and robbery.
There are also some regions that are not safe to travel. The border zones near South Sudan and the DRC should be avoided. It’s also best to avoid the Karamoja region. Violent crimes such as robbery occur here. Generally, Kampala, Entebbe, Jinja, Eastern Uganda, Southern Uganda, and the national parks are safe to visit. Violent crime against tourists are rare in these regions.
Probably the biggest risk for travelers is petty theft and robbery. To reduce the risk. Keep an eye on your belongings at all times when you’re out and about. Don’t display valuables in public. Avoid traveling at night. Stick to populated areas. Keep a low profile when out and about.
Road safety is also a major issue. People drive poorly maintained vehicles. Drivers are poorly trained. Accidents are common. If you feel that your driver is not driving in a safe manner, get out and find another taxi or boda boda.
Disease can also be an issue. Uganda is a malaria zone. To satay safe, wear insect repellent and sleep under a mosquito net. Consider taking malaria prophylaxis.
Members of the LGBT community should also take extra precautions. Uganda recently introduced an Anti-Homosexuality bill that prohibits same-sex relationships.
Table of Contents
- Theft and Pickpocketing
- Violent Crime
- Transportation and Road Safety
- Scams in Uganda
- Police in Uganda
- Corruption and Bribes
- Drugs and Alcohol Related Crime
- Disease- Malaria, Yellow Fever, Traveler’s Diarrhea, Typhoid, Ebola, etc.
- Healthcare in Uganda
- Dangerous Animals
- Weather in Uganda
- Natural Disasters: Flooding and Mudslides
- Emergency Services in Uganda
- FAQ About Staying Safe in Uganda
- My Experience
Crime in Uganda
Uganda has a relatively high crime rate. Unfortunately both locals and visitors can fall victim. Crime occurs in both cities and rural areas. While traveling in Uganda, you will need to stay aware of your surroundings and take some basic precautions to reduce the risk.
In this section, I’ll outline some common crimes in Uganda and explain how to minimize the risk of falling victim.
Petty Theft and Pickpocketing
As a visitor, the most common forms of crime you’re likely to encounter while visiting Uganda are petty theft such as bag snatching and pickpocketing. When you’re in a crowded area, such as central Kampala, a shared taxi, or a large market, it’s easy for a criminal to snatch your bag or sneak their hand into your pocket and take your belongings without your noticing. Even if you notice, the criminal could easily run off and disappear into the crowd.
A few steps you can take to reduce the risk of falling victim to a thief or pickpocket include:
- Keep an eye on your possessions at all times. Never leave a bag unattended.
- Store all of your valuables in pockets that zip or button closed.
- Keep your hands on your valuables while walking through a crowded area.
- Don’t carry anything that you’re not prepared to lose.
- Wear your backpack on the front of your body while walking through a crowded area.
- Keep your valuables out of sight. After taking a photo, store your camera in your backpack.
- Limit the amount of cash that you carry. Only carry enough cash for the day.
- Leave all valuables, such as your passport, credit cards, jewelry, and electronic devices locked in your hotel room safe.
- Keep a low profile. Don’t dress flashy and don’t wear jewelry.
- Be extra cautious with your belongings while walking through crowded areas.
- Secure all belongings while riding in taxis. My phone was pickpocketed from a taxi in Tanzania. Luckily, I got it back.
- Use a money belt. To reduce your risk of falling victim to pickpockets, consider carrying a money belt. A money belt is a hidden pocket that you wear under your clothing. A money belt is a great place to store important documents and valuables such as your passport, cash, and credit cards. I use the Eagle Creek Silk Undercover Moneybelt. For more info, check out my review of the moneybelt here.
Hotel room theft is also a problem in Uganda. Particularly when staying in small budget hotels in rural areas. This is usually a crime of opportunity. Don’t leave valuables sitting out in your hotel room when you’re away. Either take them with you in a backpack or use a luggage lock to lock your valuables in your suitcase.
Violent Crime in Uganda
Unfortunately, Uganda has a relatively high rate of violent crime. Muggings, armed robbery, home invasions, terrorism, and kidnappings all occur in the country. These crimes aren’t necessarily common but it’s important to be aware that they do exist and take precautions to avoid them.
The police often don’t have the resources to respond to many violent crimes. Response times are slow. Criminals often get away. In this section, we’ll take a look at different violent crimes that exist in Uganda and explain how to minimize the risk of falling victim.
Robberies and Muggings
Robbery is probably the most likely form of violent crime for a visitor to encounter in Uganda. You should take extra precautions to stay safe, especially at night.
Robbers usually operate in groups. They may carry weapons such as machetes. Robbers usually attack in deserted areas late at night. They could hide in the darkness on the side of an empty road and wait for a victim.
Sometimes robbers will ride up on a motorcycle, hit the victim, and then steal their belongings.
Robbers can also wait outside of bars and clubs. They wait for a drunk victim, follow them to a deserted area, then rob them.
A boda boda or taxi driver could also drive you to a deserted location and rob you.
Robbers can also set up fake roadblocks and rob drivers who pass through.
To avoid getting robbed in Uganda
- Avoid traveling at night. The vast majority of robberies occur at night. During the day, the risk of getting robbed is low.
- Walk in groups if possible. There is safety in numbers.
- Avoid isolated areas. You are unlikely to get robbed when you’re in a crowded area.
- Try to remain aware of your surroundings at all times.
- Avoid carrying valuables or large sums of cash. Keep only the amount of money you need that day. Leave valuables somewhere safe, like your hotel room. This limits your losses if you are robbed.
- Don’t dress flashy or wear flashy jewelry. A robber is less likely to target you if you don’t appear to have anything of value. If you wear expensive clothing, you may make yourself a target.
- Don’t hire a random boda boda driver off the street at night. They could take you somewhere deserted and rob you.
- When traveling by night, always arrange transportation through a reliable source. Use the Safe Boda app, Uber, or call a driver that you know.
If you do get robbed, it is best to remain calm and avoid any confrontation. Give the robber what they’re demanding. Usually, they just want your wallet and phone. If you give them what they want, they will leave you alone.
If you refuse to give the robber what they want or you try to fight, all bets are off. You could be badly injured or killed. In many cases, they are not caught.
Home Invasions
Armed criminals sometimes break into homes and commit robberies. Sometimes they hide outside until someone opens the gate or front door. They then attack and rob the home.
Home invasions can turn violent if the victim is home. You can read about a recent home invasion on the Uganda Police Force website. In this case, six criminals waited outside of a woman’s house with a gun and machetes. When she came out to lock the gate, they attacked her and robbed her of her cash, electronics, and car. She and two others who were at the home ended up in the hospital.
When booking accommodation, make sure it’s secure. Most hotels and apartment complexes have 24 hour security guards, called askari. These guards are usually armed. There should be large walls around the property with barbed wire or electric fences. The windows should have bars. All of this security will help keep robbers out.
There are some additional steps you can take to improve security. When leaving your home or hotel room, be sure to securely lock all doors, windows, and gates. Close the curtains so criminals can’t see in. If they see valuables through the windows, they will be more likely to attempt a break-in. At night, consider leaving a light on so criminals think someone is home. If you have an outdoor light, leave it on so thieves can’t hide around your front door. Before leaving your home, look outside to make sure nobody is waiting for you to open the door.
Terrorism in Uganda
The risk of terrorism is currently considered medium in Uganda. Tourists are generally not targeted but can still be victims if they are in the wrong place at