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Weather

Uganda has a tropical type of climate. It’s a rainy and sunny season throughout the year. Temperatures are not constant though. (This is due to changes in the environment, the rainy and sunny seasons have changed.) 

During the year, the hottest months are from December to February when the temperature reaches 29 degrees Celsius. The rainy seasons are from April to May and October to November, with the most rainy month being April. 

Uganda's climate is affected by it's elevated altitude .The north of the country is generally with low rainfall (semi-arid) and thus dry with a lot of sunshine. While the central, east and west receive rainfall throughout the year. 

The average annual temperature is 26 degrees Centigrade over much of the country though 16 degrees Centigrade in South Western and 35 degrees Centigrade in the North and North East . Average annual rainfall is 1000mm in most parts of the country, 500mm in North East and 2000mm in Ssese Islands. Most of Uganda is green all year round.  

What Grows Here in Uganda

There're a wide variety of tropical foods and fruits, as well as supermarkets that stock continental and American foodstuffs.

Uganda Fruit Market	Mini Fruits	Jackfruit	Plantains

A little note about Jackfruit...the fruit is huge, seldom less than about 10 inches in diameter. Even a relatively thin tree can have huge fruits hanging on it. The fruits can reach 36 kg in weight and up to 35 inches long and almost 20 inches in diameter. The jackfruit is the largest tree borne fruit in the world.  The sweet yellow sheaths around the seeds are about 1/4 inch thick and have a taste similar to pineapple but milder and less juicy.

What to consider before you travel

Passport: Be sure you have a Passport and check the expiration date.

Immunization: Immunize your self against malaria (anti-malarias)

Luggage size: Check with the airline for specific luggage sizes you are allowed. The allowances may differ from airline to airline and also as to weather you are traveling economy, business class or first class. Generally you are allowed to check in 2 suitcases and do not exceed 50 pounds.  Be aware of what the airline allows you to pack in your check-in luggage as well as your carry-on luggage.  

Clothes: It is advisable to carry light-weight summer clothing, such as T-shirts, cotton clothes for warm weather.  An umbrella, raincoat, sweater or warm coat may be advisable depending on what time of the year you are coming to Uganda.  A small travel bag, open shoes for daily wear and closed shoes for wet weather. 

For Ministering or Special Situations the men can wear trousers (pants), sleeved shirts, jackets with ties or suits, and light socks . For women dresses or skirts and blouses.  If you are at the beach, swim suits and shorts will be appropriate.  

In this country ladies generally wear skirts, blouses, and dresses, and loose slacks.  Revealing clothes are not appropriate.  

Currency: Bring enough money for accommodation, meals, and travel within and around the city or country.  (US Dollars, Euro or any foreign currency can be changed to the local currency, the Ugandan Shilling)  You will get a better exchange rate if you carry bills from the year 2000 or newer.

Cost of living per day: $15-$20

Fuel: (in case you have a hired car) or transport within and around town is very expensive.  

Food: Most hotels and/or restaurants have American and Continental foods.  There are a wide variety of tropical foods and fruits, as well as supermarkets that stock American and Continental foods too.

Natural Waters & Recreation Sites

Bujagali Natural Water Falls	Natural Vegetation	Ugandan Village
Mountain Gorilla	Hippo Grazing	Elephants

There are many beautiful and refreshing scenes like water falls, the source of the Nile, hot springs, hills, valleys, thick forests, savanna green lands just to mention a few.

Uganda is a treasure for lovers of natural history. The country is a jewel and earned the accolade of "the Pearl of Africa" by Winston Churchill.  Most of the country is fertile and well-watered, due to the extensive rainy season. There is a wide range of wetland habitats ranging from swamps, papyrus mats, rivers and vast expanses of water in Lake Victoria, Lake Kyoga, and Lake Albert.

Uganda lies at the overlap between tropical East African and the West African rainforest. Seven of Africa's 18 plant kingdoms are represented in Uganda, which is more than any other country on the continent. The tropical rain forests of Western Uganda have unique flora and fauna, some of which are endangered species. As part of the emphasis on eco-tourism and in response to increasing demand from tourists, new nature trails have been developed in virtually every protected area.

These trails offer a way of exploring the wilderness and getting close to nature. The south of the country is mostly covered by forest and sub-tropical cultivation of plantains, coffee and tea. There are woodland and open grassland areas. The north is drier than most of the country. It is covered in a semi-desert and acacia woodland, which lacks the heavy intertwining canopy found in tropical forests south of the country.

Uganda is presently the best location for tracking mountain gorillas, the country boasts a wide variety of primates ranging from chimpanzees and several types of monkeys to the tiny wide-eyed bush baby. All these are easily visible among the wide variety of 343 species of large mammals that God uniquely created. 

There are many animals in the parks like Machishinfalls game park, Safaris, Queen Elizabeth national park among others.  Animals like Hippos, elephants, giraffes, hyenas, buffalos, and lions to mention a few .

Accommodations

Emin Pasha Hotel	Kampala Serena Hotel	Kampala Sheraton

Medical Facilities & Other Information

There are private hospitals such as Case Medical Center, as well as a national hospital -Mulago and other clinics. You should do early Vaccination against  Malaria, Cholera , Typhoid , Meningitis, and yellow fever. Carry a mosquito net with you.  Do not forget bring personal regular or prescription medications as they may not be available.

Calling Rates

 $1.00 (One Dollar) will give you approximately 2 minutes if you are calling the United States.  If you use a "world cell phone" the calling rate is generally about $5.00 per minute.  

Ugandan Visa Requirements

Tourist Visa - Single entry - $30 - Multiple entry (6 months) - $80

Submit your valid and signed Passport, be sure you have at least 6 months remaining expiration, 2 Visa Application Forms, completed and signed, 2 Passport-type photographs required, International Certificate of Vaccination for Yellow Fever, Copy of U.S. Alien Registration card (green card) if applicable, copy of round trip airline tickets or itinerary, or letter of confirmation from travel agent.  

Business Visa

Submit your valid and signed Passport, be sure you have at least 6 months remaining expiration, 2 Visa Application Forms, completed and signed, 2 Passport-type photographs required, International Certificate of Vaccination for Yellow Fever, Copy of U.S. Alien Registration card (green card) if applicable, A business letter of responsibility is required, to be typewritten on your company letterhead and addressed to:

Embassy of Uganda, Visa Section, Washington DC

The letter must explain all of the following:

1. Nature of business to be performed

2. Name and address of reference to be visited

3. Guarantee of return transportation and sufficient funds for the visit

Click this site for more details please... http://www.traveldocs.com/ug/vr.htm

Other "Interesting" Things While In Uganda

• Traffic jams

• Bumpy country roads with pot holes.

• Pit latrines, (Trust me, they can be awful)

• Power cuts, electricity is not regular. 

• Low internet surfing speed, if any.

• Tap water shortages

Your view of God might change.  To see the reality and validity of God’s Word in every tribe and nation could be life-changing for you. He really is "Lord of the Nations."

Your view of what you possess could change as Americans/Europeans or any other nationality.  Seeing people live a "hand to mouth" poverty existence with no running water, no electricity, no transportation, and no medical services can bring you to your knees   You might spend time wondering about the things that are really important in life.

Your perspective of hardship could change. When you encounter the joy and courage of persecuted and deprived believers, your own life might not seem so hard anyway.

Your faith could be raised. You might find yourself praying about situations you never prayed about before, like finances, safety, health or communication because you cannot resolve these issues without God.

Expect to find things different than you know in the West or anywhere else that is developed in the world. Uganda and surrounding countries are called a "developing nation" for reasons you will probably observe. For example: A large city with few traffic laws that may try a man’s soul. 

In Uganda when you first meet or greet the people, it is customary to ask about their lives, children, animals or farming.  Treat everyone with respect and you will be welcomed as an honored guest. 

Details About Uganda

Official Name Republic of Uganda

Population:  28,195,754

Capital City: Kampala (2.7 Million)

Currency: Uganda Shilling

Currency Converter: $1.00 US = 1730 Ugandan Shilling, this changes according to the economy. 

Flag:     

Languages: English (official), over 40 local dialects

National Day:  October 9th - Independence Day

Religions: Catholic, Protestant, Moslem, and traditional beliefs.

Latitude/Longitude: 0° 32 'North, 32° 58' East

Highest Point: Mt. Stanley (16,765 ft.) (5,110 m)

Land Area 199,550 sq km (77,046 sq miles) 241,139 sq. km of which 42.000 (17%) sq km is made up of swamps and open fresh water bodies. 30,000 sq km (12%) forest reserves and game parks.

Land Divisions 56 districts: including Adjumani, Apac, Arua, Bugiri, Bundibugyo, Bushenyi, Busia, Gulu, Hoima, Iganga, Jinja, Kabale, Kabarole, Kaberamaido, Kalangala, Kampala, Kamuli, Kamwenge, Kanungu, Kapchorwa, Kasese, Katakwi, Kayunga, Kibale, Kiboga, Kisoro, Kitgum, Kotido, Kumi, Kyenjojo, Lira, Luwero, Masaka, Masindi, Mayuge, Mbale, Mbarara, Moroto, Moyo, Mpigi, Mubende, Mukono, Nakapiripirit, Nakasongola, Nebbi, Ntungamo, Pader, Pallisa, Rakai, Rukungiri, Sembabule, Sironko, Soroti, Tororo, Wakiso and Yumbe.  

Terrain/land characteristics: Uganda lies in the Great African Plateau with an average altitude of 1200m (4000ft) above sea level broken by the Great Rift Valley to the Western Side. Elevated areas are the Rwenzori mountains (16,000ft) with permanent snow cover and Mount Elgon.  The Nile, the world's second longest river starts its journey from the world's second largest fresh water body, Lake Victoria at Jinja. 

To know more about Uganda:

http://www.visituganda.com/home.html

http://www.enteruganda.com/

http://kampala.usembassy.gov/