FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)
Travel
Q: Where can I get a good price on plane tickets to Uganda?
A: There are several travel agents that offer missionary rates. Sometimes these are cheaper than what you’d find going directly through the airline but not always.
Fellowship Travel International
Q: What major airlines fly into Uganda?
A: British Airways, Northwest/KLM, Brussels, Emirates, Kenya Airways
Q: How do I get a visa for Uganda?
A: Obtaining a visa to Uganda differs depending on which country you are coming from. Below are instructions for obtaining a visa if you are from the U.S. or UK.
Q: What airport do I fly into Uganda?
A: Entebbe International Airport
Visas
US
- Americans have two options for obtaining visas.
- 1. Buy your visa at: Uganda Embassy 5911 16th St. NW Washington, DC 20011
The Ugandan Embassy offers 3 month single entry visas and 6 month or 12 month multiple entry visas. Sending away for your visa takes between 7 to 10 business days. Go to the Uganda Embassy website, which will give you directions and the application. When you are filling out the form be sure to mark the actual day you will arrive in Uganda. They should mark your visa as starting then. If you mark a different date your visa may already start before you arrive in the country. The payment the Embassy of Uganda in US requires is a Post Office money order, which you can get from your local Post Office. Please refer to the instructions on the website, as they may have changed. - 2. Buy your visa at immigration when landing in Uganda. This will cost $50, dollars are the only currency they will take. This is not the best way for people staying longer than a month, because the immigration in the airport sometimes only offer you a 30 day visa.
UK
- British citizens have two options for obtaining visas.
- 1. Buy your visa at: Ugandan High Commission Trafalgar Square, London.
It will last for 3 months and cost £25. They will provide you with a form to fill out and you will be expected to leave behind your passport, 2 passport sized photos and £25. It normally takes 3-5 working days to be completed. You can either return to London to collect it or give them a pre paid recorded delivery envelope for them to post it back to you. This envelope is silver and can be found at any post office, they will know what sort you need. This visa will begin as soon as the Ugandan High Commission processes your paperwork. So get the visa as close to your date of departure as possible. - 2.Buy your visa at immigration when landing in Uganda. This will cost $50, it is the only currency they will take. This is not the best way for people staying longer than a month because the immigration in the airport sometimes only offer you a 30 day visa.
- You can renew your visa in the country if you are staying for longer than 3 months. This visa can only be renewed twice if you are planning on staying for longer than 6 months you will need to apply for a work permit in Uganda, which will cost £75.00.
More Information
For the most up to date information on visas visit the sites below:
Ugandan Embassy in U.S.
Ugandan High Commission in UK
Travel Insurance
Q: Where can I get travel insurance?
A: Again, travel insurance differs depending on the country you are coming from. Listed below are some options for American and British travel insurance.
American Travel Insurance
- Option 1: If you have good health insurance at home they will sometimes cover you for emergencies overseas, which is good for short-term mission trips. You will need to call your insurance to see exactly what they would cover, who their preferred providers are in Uganda, and if you need any documents from them before you travel.
- Option 2: You can go for travel insurance companies. These sites let you compare different plans to see what works best for you.
English Travel insurance
- Option 1: All the big supermarkets, like Tesco, Sainsburys or even Boots offer good travel Insurance for short trips, but please be careful with the small print for some don’t cover voluntary work with children.
- Option 2: There are many good insurance companies, it is best to shop around to see which is best for you.
Housing, Medical, and Other Facilities
Q: If I do get sick are there international clinics or hospitals I can go to?
A: Yes, in Kampala there are a variety of international clinics and hospitals to choose from.
Q: Will I be sharing a room?
A: More than likely yes. During off-peak season, Spring, Fall, and Winter you'll likely share a room with one or two other volunteers of the same sex. During peak season, Summer, you could be sharing a room with up to four or five other volunteers of the same sex.
Q: Will I be able to check email?
A: Yes, the Empower A Child guesthouse has internet access, although it may be much slower than what you are use to.
Q: Will I be able to wash my clothes?
A: Yes, there are a few options. You may go to a laundramat near the house, give your clothes to our housekeeper who will wash clothes once a week for a small fee, usually $2-$3, or hand wash them yourself.
Q: Should I bring my cell phone?
A: Only if it has a SIM card. You can bring your phone and buy a Ugandan SIM card with a Ugandan number for about $5. If your phone doesn’t have a SIM card leave it at home. You can buy a phone in Uganda between $40 - $80.
Q: Can I receive mail while in Uganda?
A: Yes, your friends and family can address mail directly to you at: P.O. Box 33273 Kampala, Uganda
Q: Is there running water or will I be using a cup and a bucket of water to shower?
A: There is running water in the Empower A Child guesthouse. And as long as showers are spaced apart long enough you can have hot showers. On occasion the entire city will have problems with water and we have to fetch water from a nearby well. In these times you will have to shower with a cup and bucket of water for a few days.
Q: Is it safe to drink the water from the tap?
A: It is not recomme nd to drink water from the tap. The guesthouse boils water to kill any germs and bacteria and also provides bottled water.
Q: What vaccinations are required?
A: Yellow Fever is the only vaccination required to enter the country. However, Hepatitis A & B, Typhoid, Polio and Tetanus/Diphtheria are usually recommended. We advise you to consult your doctor.
Q: Is there any special medication I will need while in Uganda?
A: Yes, you will need to go to the doctor to get a prescription for anti-malaria pills. Doxycycline is usually one of the cheaper ones. Some anti-malaria pills can have strong side effects. Again, consult your doctor as they know your history and which medication would work best for you.
Q: How do I pay for my trip? Do I send in money before I reach Uganda?
A: At the moment, you pay once you arrive in Uganda. If you are coming on a group missions trip or as an individual volunteer please bring the total amount of the cost in $50 or $100 bills dated after the year 2000. These bills get the best exchange rate. Smaller bills $5, $10, $20 have bad exchange rates and you will lose out on money. If you are coming as an MST it is easier to pull money out of the ATM at the beginning each of month.
Q: How much individual spending money should I bring per month?
A: Between $100 - $150. You will also want to consider African crafts for yourself and as gifts for friends and family. Very nice crafts costs between $10 -$20 per item and small items are can cost between $2 - $5.
Q: I want to go on safari during my trip. How much does this cost?
A: If you are coming as an individual volunteer or a MST, safaris are not included in the price as they are in the group price. The average three-day all inclusive safari ranges from $350 for a group of 6 individuals to $700 for a single person. It is common for there to be 6 MST's or individual volunteers in the house who want to go on safari the same time. We highly recommend going on a safari as it is a once in a lifetime experience as well as an opportunity to debrief from your trip.
Safaris are conducted by View Africa Tour Specialists, a safari company set-up to give back. 100% of all profits on these safaris go back to support the work of Empower A Child. See them at www.viewafricasafari.com.
Q: Is there a language barrier?
A: English is the national language of Uganda. However, translators are needed when speaking to younger kids or those who haven't been to school.
Q: How will we get around the country?
A: The ministry has a van that takes volunteers to the various projects and schools, goes on village missions and picks volunteers from the airport. Ministry transportation is included in your costs. For personal transport into downtown for shopping, restaurants, post office visits etc you’d use the public taxi/minibus system. A ride into downtown and back to the guesthouse is about $1 roundtrip. There are opportunities to visit some tourists sights around Kampala, Entebbe (Lake Victoria), and Jinja (The Nile River). The van may be used for such outings.