About Uganda

 
 

Uganda is located in east-central Africa, situated north and northwest of Lake Victoria. It is a landlocked country bordered by Sudan on the North, Kenya on the east, Tanzania on the South, Rwanda on the southwest and Democratic Republic of Congo on the northwest.

Climate

Although Uganda is located on the equator, its climate is warm rather than hot, and temperatures vary little throughout the year. Most of the country receives an annual rainfall of at least 30 inches.

Visas & Immigration

Visas are required. These can be obtained from Uganda's Diplomatic and Consular Missions abroad. It is possible to get issued a visa on arrival at Entebbe Airport as long as one satisfies the entry requirements. However, it is advisable that you get your visas before you embark on the trip to Uganda to avoid unnecessary paper work at point of entry. On arrival in the country, you may be asked to show you have sufficient funds to support your stay and that you have an onward ticket.

Currency

Official Currency: Uganda Shilling

Banks and FOREX bureaus are available at the airport, and in all towns. Visitors may bring in as much foreign currency as they wish.

Credit cards arc accepted in the main hotels, but not in outlying areas. Visa is the most commonly accepted credit card.

Traveler cheques are best taken in US Dollars or Pounds Sterling.

Malaria in Uganda

Malaria is very common in Sub-Saharan Africa and is found in all areas of Uganda.

How do you get malaria?

Humans get malaria from the bite of a malaria-infected mosquito. When a mosquito bites an infected person, it ingests microscopic malaria parasites found in the person's blood. The malaria parasite must grow in the mosquito for a week or more before infection can be passed to another person.

What are the signs and symptoms of malaria?

Symptoms of malaria include fever and flu-like illness, including shaking chills, headache, muscle aches, and tiredness. Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea may also occur. Malaria may cause anemia and jaundice (yellow coloring of the skin and eyes) because of the loss of red blood cells.

How soon will a person feel sick after being bitten by an infected mosquito?

For most people, symptoms begin 10 days to 4 weeks after infection, although a person may feel ill as early as 8 days or up to 1 year later.

How is malaria diagnosed?

Malaria is diagnosed by looking for the parasites in a drop of blood. Blood will be put onto a microscope slide and stained so that the parasites will be visible under a microscope.

Any traveler who becomes ill with a fever or flu-like illness while traveling and up to 1 year after returning home should immediately seek professional medical care. You should tell your health care provider that you have been traveling in a malaria-risk area.

Who is at risk for malaria?

Persons living in, and travelers to, any area of the world where malaria is transmitted may become infected.

What is the treatment for malaria?

Malaria can be cured with prescription drugs. The type of drugs and length of treatment depend on which kind of malaria is diagnosed, where the patient was infected, the age of the patient, and how severely ill the patient was at start of treatment.

How can malaria and other travel-related illnesses be prevented?
  • Visit your health care provider 4-6 weeks before foreign travel for any necessary vaccinations and a prescription for an antimalarial drug.
    • Take your antimalarial drug exactly on schedule without missing doses
  • Prevent mosquito and other insect bites. Use insect repellent on exposed skin and flying insect spray in the room where you sleep
  • Wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts, especially from dusk to dawn. This is the time when mosquitoes that spread malaria bite
  • Sleep under a mosquito bed net

PLEASE NOTE THAT ONE MUST ALWAYS CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR, PHARMACIST, LOCAL MALARIA SPECIALIST BEFORE EMBARKING ON A HOLIDAY TO A MALARIA AREA - THE CONTENTS BELOW ARE DESIGNED TO BE A GUIDE ONLY - CONDITIONS DO CHANGE

Medical Facilities in Kampala:

International Medical Centre

Namuwongo

Tel: +256 (312) 200400.

The Surgery

2 Acacia avenue Kololo

Tel: +256 (041) 425603

AAR Health services

7-9 clement Hill Road, Hill View Apartments, Kampala.

Tel: +256 (041) 4258527.

Case Medical Centre

69-71 Buganda Road

Tel: +256 (041) 4250362.

Children’s clinic Kampala

40 Kyadondo Road Nakasero

Tel: +256 (041) 4345235.

Victoria Mediacal Centre

Lumumba Avenue, Nakasero

Tel: +256 (041) 4235546