Table of Contents
- Are Ugandan buses safe for tourists?
- Are Ugandan buses safe? 5 things to consider about Ugandan bus travel as a tourist
- There’s no first class
- How much do Ugandan bus journeys cost?
- The bottom line: Are Ugandan buses safe for tourists?
It’s a fair question – are Ugandan buses safe for tourists?
If you’re looking to travel to different parts of Uganda on a budget, hopping on a bus is perhaps your best option. Every area of the country is serviced by long-distance coaches, and all routes begin at one of two bus terminals in Uganda.
Given the fact that internal flights are super expensive and that not everyone can afford to hire a safari company to drive them from point a to b, Ugandan buses provide tourists with a budget alternative when traveling up-country and away from Kampala.
But before you board a Ugandan bus for the first time, I want to prepare you for what lies in wait. I’ve traveled on Ugandan buses on numerous occasions, and there are certain things I would have liked to know before buying a ticket.
So, read on to find out everything you need to know about traveling on a Ugandan bus as a tourist.
Are Ugandan buses safe for tourists?
Yes and no. From a personal safety perspective, it’s safe to travel on a Ugandan bus. You’re unlikely to get mugged or into any trouble as a passenger on a bus, as most Ugandans are extremely friendly. While there are isolated incidents of buses being targeted by thieves and bandits, these aren’t common in Uganda and shouldn’t necessarily put you off traveling on a bus from Kampala to a destination up-country.
However, from a road safety perspective, Ugandan buses don’t fill passengers with a great deal of confidence. A 2015 report by the Daily Monitor found that bus accidents were less common than in previous years, but they’re still relatively common. From my personal experience, I’ve found that many Ugandan bus drivers are reckless on the roads, overtaking at speeds and taking unnecessary risks on the road.
Now that I live in Uganda and I’m fortunate enough to own a car, I am pleased that I no longer have to travel by bus due to their poor safety record. But for millions of Ugandans – many of my friends included – the bus is the only way to get around. So, if you’re planning to travel in Uganda by bus as a tourist, here are five things you need to consider before buying a ticket.
Are Ugandan buses safe? 5 things to consider about Ugandan bus travel as a tourist
If you decide that budget travel is a priority, be sure to consider the following things that will help you decide for yourself if traveling on bus in Uganda is safe and comfortable for you:
They leave when they’re full
Something that tourists find slightly unusual about public transport in many African countries is that buses, public taxis, and trains don’t necessarily leave at a standard time. Rather, they leave when they’re full.
So, for instance, it’s not uncommon for a bus with a scheduled departure time of 7 pm to set off at 9 pm or even later, depending on the passenger schedule. In fairness to Ugandan operators, I have found that most night buses leave roughly on time (perhaps within 30-60 minutes), but it’s important to be aware of the notion that public transport doesn’t run on strict schedules as it does in the US, UK, and other parts of the world.
This is particularly important to be aware of if you’re sticking to a tight schedule and need to make a connection. If you’re planning to take a bus to Kampala to make your flight out of Uganda, I’d recommend traveling by bus at least a day beforehand, as delays are to be expected on the road.
There are day and night buses
When you’re planning a trip across Uganda on a bus, you should be aware that there are both day and night buses that you can board. They’re the same price, and they take the same route, but there are some important distinctions to be mindful of.
I prefer traveling at night, as the bus stops less frequently and there is less traffic on the road, making journey times quicker. What’s more, Ugandan buses can get really hot and uncomfortable during the day, and it’s much cooler to travel through the night.
Also, traveling at night allows you to get some sleep and may mean that you don’t need to book accommodation for the night, offering further cost savings if budget travel is at the top of your list of priorities!
There’s not a great deal of space
It’s fair to say that Ugandan buses are tightly packed! Most buses have three seats on one side and two on the other when in reality, it would be much more comfortable for everyone if the seats were in 2×2 configurations.
What’s more, the legroom that you get between your chair and the seat in front of you is negligible, and it can be particularly uncomfortable for tall people. I’m 6ft 3in, and I can’t comfortably sit in the space provided, making for uncomfortable journeys.
Of course, everyone is different, but the lack of space between the rows is one of the main reasons why I avoid Ugandan buses. If you’re accustomed to coach travel in the US or Europe, you will find that Ugandan buses are extremely tightly packed, and it might not make for an overly comfortable journey to your destination.
There’s no first class
Having traveled on a night bus from Nairobi to Mombasa in first class, I was expectant of the same option when I first arrived in Uganda. First-class seats are common on Kenyan buses, as they are in other countries. You essentially get twice the amount of space and the ability to recline your seat, which is beneficial for getting some sleep at night.
In Uganda, however, there’s no such option on long-distance buses. I’m not sure why this is, or why a travel company hasn’t decided to offer first-class seats on their buses. But unfortunately, if you wish to travel on a Ugandan bus as a tourist, you have no choice other than to sit in standard seating.
And as mentioned above, the seats on a Ugandan bus are tightly packed, so it’s not particularly comfortable for taller and bigger people!
They stop at random intervals
I’ve never fully understood how Ugandan bus drivers decide where to stop, as there aren’t any bus stops along the side of the road! In fact, it amazes me how they know where to pick people up and drop passengers off.
My wife assures me that Ugandans know instinctively where to wait for specific buses at the side of the road, but given that there are so many pedestrians in towns and villages throughout the country, I have no idea how drivers know that someone is specifically waiting for the bus to collect them!
Anyway – the reason I mention this is that it’s a good idea to board the bus at the bus station itself, as opposed to trying to hop on the bus at one of its unofficial stops. As for getting off the bus, you need to know where you’re planning to disembark. If you’re not sure of a destination, ask the person sitting next to you to tell you when you arrive – you will find that the vast majority of Ugandans are very happy to help.
How much do Ugandan bus journeys cost?
The best thing about Ugandan buses is that they’re cheap. You can buy a ticket for most destinations throughout the country for anywhere between $10 – $20. When you bear in mind that many journeys take the best part of 12 hours to remote towns and cities, this represents decent value for money!
The bottom line: Are Ugandan buses safe for tourists?
The bottom line is that traveling on a Ugandan bus as a tourist can be a safe and viable way to get from Kampala to various destinations up-country, but it’s not for the faint-hearted!
In my experience, bus travel in Uganda is crowded, hot, and not particularly comfortable, which is why I would opt for an alternative means of travel wherever possible.
But if you’re on a budget, traveling by bus as a tourist in Uganda is the most affordable way to traverse the country.
If you’re not sold on Ugandan bus travel, read our guide to find out everything you need to know about driving in Uganda as a tourist!
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