Travelling to Uganda? A Practical Safety Guide From a Ugandan

Know who to call if something goes wrong

Before anything else, save these contacts in your phone. The Uganda Police national emergency numbers are 999 and 112. Both are toll-free, accessible from any mobile phone, and operational 24/7. Use them immediately if you are the victim of theft or any other crime.

Beyond the police, your most important contact in a serious emergency is your country's embassy or high commission in Kampala. If you lose your passport, face a medical emergency, or encounter a situation the local authorities cannot adequately resolve, your embassy is your first call. Before you travel, locate your embassy's emergency contact number, save it in your phone, and keep a written copy of all these numbers separately in case your phone is stolen.

Preparation before you need it is always better than searching for help in the middle of a crisis.

Handle money carefully in public

Establishing good money habits early will protect you throughout your stay. Carry only what you need for the day. Avoid displaying large notes in crowded areas. When using an ATM, use machines located inside bank premises rather than on the street. Street ATMs carry a higher risk, particularly after dark.

Familiarise yourself with the security features of genuine Uganda Shilling notes before you travel. Uganda's banknotes carry several built-in security features, including watermarks, colour-changing threads, foil images, and an advanced optical feature called SPARK. The Bank of Uganda is the authoritative source for this information.

Use designated taxi stages, not roadside hailing

Board taxis from designated stages or taxi parks rather than hailing them on the road. Roadside taxis carry a higher risk and fewer accountability structures. At a designated stage, there is at least a degree of order and visibility.

Stay alert inside taxis

Once inside a taxi, keep your handbag or backpack in front of you where you can see it at all times. Be aware of two specific tactics used by thieves:

• If the conductor asks you to help close the door after boarding, decline politely. This is a distraction technique used to access your belongings while your attention is elsewhere.
• If you are seated at the front and the conductor appears occupied with the door from outside, watch the driver. In some cases, this is a coordinated distraction for theft. If anything feels wrong, exit the taxi immediately and find an alternative.

Do not exchange money inside taxis

This is a lesson I learned the hard way. On one occasion, a conductor asked me to change a UGX 50,000 note during a ride. I handed over two UGX 20,000 notes and one UGX 10,000 note and received a counterfeit UGX 50,000 note in return. I only realised after leaving the taxi. I did not have the number plate.

Do not exchange money inside taxis under any circumstances. The Bank of Uganda website has information on identifying genuine notes. Use it before you travel.

Use boda-bodas with caution

Boda-bodas, motorcycle taxis, are fast and convenient but carry real risks beyond road accidents. Some riders gather information about passengers during the ride and use it to cause harm later. Others take passengers to isolated areas where accomplices are waiting.

Two safer options:

• Board boda-bodas only from designated stages where riders know each other and there is a degree of mutual accountability.
• Use Safe Boda, a motorcycle taxi app similar to Uber that operates in Kampala. Rides are tracked, drivers are registered, and you can share your trip details with someone you trust.

Avoid travelling at night where possible

The risks associated with every tip in this guide increase substantially after dark. Taxis, boda-bodas, and street crime all carry a higher risk at night. Where possible, plan your movements to conclude before nightfall. If night travel is unavoidable, use a trusted and known means of transport, travel with someone where possible, and stay alert throughout.

Keep your gadgets out of sight

Phones, cameras, tablets, and similar devices should be kept out of sight in taxis, taxi parks, and crowded areas. Snatch and run theft and pickpocketing are common in busy areas. Do not give thieves the opportunity.

Ask the right people for directions

When you need directions, approach uniformed police officers or security guards. Alternatively, the post office carries maps of Kampala and Uganda. Exercise discernment when asking strangers for help, particularly if they are overly eager to assist.

Know the common conman tactics

Conmen adapt constantly, so no list will ever be exhaustive. The best defence is awareness and the discipline to trust your instincts. Here are the most common tactics currently in use:

• The dropped item: if someone drops something in front of you, do not pick it up, and do not alert them. Keep walking. This is a group tactic, used as a pretext to engage you while an accomplice targets your belongings.
• The sob story: if a stranger approaches you with an urgent need for transport money or any other request, exercise caution. While a genuine need exists, this is also a common scam. You are not obligated to engage.
• The follower: if someone is walking unusually close to you or appears to be following you, move toward a populated area and wait for them to pass. Do not confront them. Simply remove yourself from the situation.