Table of Contents
- Is driving in Uganda safe for tourists?
- What about police on the road?
- What about driving in national parks?
- What documents do you need to drive in Uganda as a tourist?
- The verdict: Is driving in Uganda safe for tourists?
If you’re in the process of preparing for your vacation in Uganda, you might be wondering if driving in Uganda is safe for tourists.
After all, it’s a perfectly legitimate concern to have, given that roads in Uganda have a pretty bad reputation, whether or not it’s justified.
To answer this question, I introduce some very basic statistics about the safety of driving on Ugandan roads, but I also explain what driving is like based on my own experiences.
I first drove in Uganda in 2015, and as I now live here, I have my own car and regularly drive from point A to B. The purpose of this article is to prepare you for driving in Uganda, and to show that, provided that you’re responsible and sensible, driving in Uganda as a tourist can be safe.
Is driving in Uganda safe for tourists?
Depending on how you look at it, driving in Uganda can be safe for tourists. For instance, I have driven in Uganda since around 2015, and I now have my own car that I use to drive across the country (often from Bwindi to Kampala – a journey that takes 8-10 hours).
As such, I can offer an anecdotal look into whether driving in Uganda is safe for tourists, which I will do shortly. But first, I want to introduce you to some statistics.
Statistics from 2016 show that approximately 25,700 crashes occurred on Ugandan roads in that year, with more than 7,500 reported fatalities. What’s more, research shows that the road traffic death rate in Uganda is equal to 29 deaths per 100,000 population, which is higher than the global average of 18 per 100,000.
Therefore, when compared to roads in other parts of the world, it’s fair to say that driving in Uganda is more dangerous. So, why is this the case? From my experiences of driving in Uganda, here are some things you ought to know before getting behind the wheel:
Car maintenance issues
In Uganda, cars are often poorly maintained. This is because there aren’t the same required standards for car maintenance in the country as there are in other parts of the world (the British MOT, for instance).
As a result, some drivers get behind the wheel in vehicles that have old, faulty parts that can cause serious issues when driving on the roads. If you’re hiring a car in Uganda, it’s so important to check its mechanical condition before setting out.
Taking it for a spin around Entebbe is a good idea before heading up-country, so you can get a feel for how well the vehicle is maintained.
Road issues
The main tarmac roads that run throughout Uganda are generally in good condition. However, potholes do exist, and you need to be mindful of the speed bumps that appear as if from nowhere when you enter towns and pass through trading centers.
The problem with Uganda roads becomes more pronounced when you travel to rural areas, and tarmac roads give way to murram. Murram roads change in condition with the season, and many become impassable during the rains.
Therefore, when driving outside of urban areas in Uganda, you need to take things slowly, for more reasons than one, as I explain below.
Animals on the road
Something that many tourists will be unfamiliar with is the presence of animals on the road. In Uganda, it’s perfectly normal for cows, goats, chickens, ducks, and other farm yard animals to amble across the road, no matter where in the country you find yourself.
Of course, in national parks, you also need to be mindful of wild animals, as they can appear out of the bush with practically no warning before entering the road.
On several occasions driving from Kasese to Kihihi through Queen Elizabeth, I’ve had to pull over to one side to allow elephants to pass before proceeding with my journey!
Again, the presence of animals on the road is only a hazard if you drive too quickly. Be mindful that animals and pedestrians might appear out of nowhere on the road, and you can at least prepare for their appearance when you head up-country!
Erratic driving
I don’t think it’s fair to single Ugandans out over erratic driving, as I’ve seen my fair share of it in the UK and other parts of Europe. However, one thing that Ugandans seem to do frequently is overtake other vehicles when they absolutely shouldn’t!
Be it on hairpin bends or when there’s an oncoming car in close proximity, some Ugandan drivers are incredibly impatient and will simply pull out and expect you (the oncoming car) to move out of their way.
There’s no room for stubbornness here – if someone does this to you, just move to one side, as they’re not likely to back down!
Be especially careful with taxi and bus drivers, as they tend to be the worst culprits when it comes to overtaking when it’s not safe to do so.
Driving in the dark
It’s not a good idea to drive in Uganda after dark for several reasons, so make sure you plan your journey so that you reach your destination before 7 pm. From my experience, the most dangerous thing about driving in the dark is the way that Ugandan drivers use their lights.
Some vehicles don’t switch them on at all (honestly!), which is common practice in urban areas, for reasons I’m yet to understand fully.
Other drivers – and this is more common – leave their full beams on for the entire time, essentially blinding you when they’re hurtling toward you on the highway.
Neither of these situations is ideal, so if you’re planning to drive in Uganda as a tourist, make sure you do so during the hours of daylight to make your life easier (7 am – 7 pm).
Variable speed limits
This isn’t unique to Ugandan roads, but you should be mindful that the speed limit changes quite often on the highway. For instance, the maximum speed you can drive is 100 kph, while some areas of the highway restrict you to 80 kph.
When you’re passing through built-up areas like trading centers, you should reduce your speed to 50 kph. While Ugandan roads don’t have speed cameras, there are police on the road at various junctures with speed guns, as explained below.
What about police on the road?
Another thing that might seem a little strange to European and North American drivers is that Uganda traffic police are positioned on the road at various intervals throughout the country.
They put up checkpoints and block one-half of the road, meaning that all drivers have to slow down to pass through. In most instances, provided that your car is in good condition and you haven’t been speeding, you can pass through without issue.
However, sometimes, the police will wave at you to ask you to pull over. In practically all of my experiences on Ugandan roads when I have been stopped by the police, I’ve had zero issues.
The officer asks to see a permit and checks that the vehicle is insured before sending you on your way. As long as you have a valid permit and are polite in your interactions, you shouldn’t have any problems.
If you’ve been speeding or contravening traffic laws, you will be issued a ticket, which you are required to pay at a local bank.
What about driving in national parks?
Most tourists who hire a vehicle in Uganda tend to do so in order to go on self-drive safaris in Queen Elizabeth NP, Murchison Falls NP, Lake Mburo NP (link), or Kidepo NP.
Looking for information on self-drive safaris in Uganda? Learn what you need to know about organising a self-drive safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park in this article.
Self-drive safaris are incredibly fun and liberating, and it’s an awesome way to see the wildlife that Uganda is famed for. But when you’re driving in a national park, you need to go slowly, as the roads are in poor condition and animals can appear out of nowhere.
You should also fill up on supplies and fuel, as your options are limited when you arrive at the entrance of all national parks in Uganda.
If you’re planning to do a self-drive safari, it’s imperative that you hire a 4WD. Heading into a national park without the ability to shift the car into 4WD will almost certainly result in you getting stuck!
What documents do you need to drive in Uganda as a tourist?
Of course, you will need a full driver’s license to drive in Uganda. I have an International Driving Permit, which is a good investment if you’re planning to drive here, but you can also use your permit from your home country if you’re only in Uganda for a short period of time.
As foreign nationals may differ in terms of required documentation, you should check with your government’s travel advice before arriving in Uganda, and you can always reach out to a hire company if you’re not sure.
As well as a permit, the vehicle that you’re driving must be insured, and the certificate must be affixed to the front windshield for verification by the police.
The verdict: Is driving in Uganda safe for tourists?
As is the case with driving in all countries, you need to be super careful when driving as a tourist in Uganda. You should stick to the speed limit at all times and make sure your vehicle is in sound mechanical condition.
You also need to be mindful of the changing road conditions throughout the different seasons, as this can make a big difference to the safety of a particular road.
But provided that you’re sensible, hiring a car and driving around Uganda as a tourist can be a memorable experience for all the right reasons.
Having used them several times before, I highly recommend Road Trip Africa if you’re looking to hire a 4WD for your upcoming African adventure.
Over the years, driving in Uganda as a tourist has become interesting and exciting thanks to the rapid infrastructure development. The tourists have peace of mind to cruise around without fear of adversities.