Uganda COVID-19 Updates

The mandatory testing of all incoming travellers (including children) at Entebbe International Airport and other points of entry which was due to come into effect on 3rd September has been postponed for 2 weeks by the Ministry of Health, Uganda.

All incoming travellers from category 2 countries which include, UK, USA, Kenya, Tanzania, UAE, Turkey, South Africa, Ethiopia and South Sudan will undergo mandatory PCR testing on arrival. However, fully vaccinated passengers, who are asymptomatic, are NOT required to test upon arrival.

All travellers arriving from India will be required to do a mandatory PCR test regardless of vaccination status.

The cost of the PCR test is 65USD

The Government of Uganda now requires all travellers, including children, regardless of vaccination status or country of origin, to arrive with a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of travel AND carry out a PCR test at their own cost on arrival at all entry points into Uganda including Entebbe International Airport.

This new measure will be effective from 3rd September 2021. This is to ensure that we limit the spread of variants and avoid importation into the country.

Flights arriving from India are no longer suspended. India will be treated the same as other category 2 countries. 

Upon Arrival

All Passengers will be transferred to the nearby testing facility set up by the government of Uganda. Uganda Tourism Board has put in place a process for on-arrival testing -  register online for this at least one week before arrival at a cost of $55 as detailed on their site. We encourage guests to use this process and pay the fee on arrival in USD cash.

Passengers will clear customs and immigration, collect their luggage and proceed to the UTB help desk. The representative will check their registration online and connect passengers with their guide who will transport them to the testing facility located 5 minutes drive from the airport. After testing, results will take 1- 2 hours (opposed to the 4 hours stated by the government) and if negative can continue with their onward journey. If the result is positive the ministry of health will determine if the passenger needs to self isolate at the designated hotel or be taken to a government hospital for treatment. 

If passengers are connecting on a domestic flight to Bwindi, they have to wait for their results and they will then be transported back to the airport in time for their flight, if they are continuing to Entebbe they can wait at the UTB designated hotels in Entebbe.

PCR Testing on Arrival

A PCR test on arrival is mandatory for all travellers from "Category 2 countries" which include the UK and US. Fully vaccinated travellers are exempt from testing at time of writing. 

Special Arrival Testing for Tourists

If you require testing on arrival (i.e. are not vaccinated) a special arrangement has been made for discounted and faster testing for clients travelling with Licences Tour Operators and members of AUTO (as our ground handlers are). This means that on arrival you can be met by our guide at the airport and travel with them to a private testing facility (as opposed to going on a government bus to the government facility). We can book a time-slot for the test in advance. You will need to pay a discounted rate of $50, and after testing you can head straight to your hotel. Results will be delivered in 1 hour and 15 minutes. 

Uganda's New "Lockdown"

Uganda has seen an increase in cases over the past few weeks. While the daily numbers are still quite low by the standards of most countries (~1,300 cases per day), Uganda's initial success with COVID was due to rather strict measures, and they have re-implemented some of these until mid-July. It's probably better to describe the lockdown as a "massive restriction of movement". Most shops and services remain open, however all transport has been banned, public and private - meaning most people can only move as far as they can walk or cycle. The only exceptions are cargo, tourism and emergency services. The usual suspects of nightclubs, gyms, churches and bars are closed, but hotels and restaurants remain open, just with a 7pm curfew.

What this means for Tourism

The government places a strong emphasis on tourism and has gone to lengths to make sure travellers to Uganda can come and enjoy the country, do so safely and with minimum hassle. 

The majority of COVID cases (~80%) are in the city of Kampala. Uganda's unique geography with the airport in Entebbe means none of our clients will travel to or through Kampala. All of our trips either go from Entebbe directly to up-country destinations via the expressway that bypasses Kampala, or fly out of Entebbe on internal flights. 

There is a full complement of Safety Procedures published for hotels and lodges, adherence is mandatory and they are being followed very seriously. 

Many lodge staff, safari staff and guides have all had their first COVID vaccine jab, with follow-ups scheduled for late July. For any guided trips, our guides will take a PCR test 36 hours before they are set to meet clients. 

General position

Following a recent inspection trip, we can provide an update on the situation in Uganda regarding COVID-19, infection rates, and precautions being taken. 

The Ugandan government were quick to introduce strict measures to contain the spread of coronavirus in the country. At the time of writing, the number of infections is low and life is largely continuing as normal. Exactly why Uganda has fared relatively well with COVID-19 is unclear, the country has a very young population (almost 50% younger than 14 as of 2019!), and the government were quick to act - it's likely a combination of many factors. 

At the time of writing, Uganda is Level 1 on the CDC travel advisory and on the Amber tier in the UK. 

While life is continuing as normal in small towns and villages, precautions are being taken on the travel circuits, at lodges and hotels, and with guides and UWA staff.   

Vaccinations

Uganda has been slow to roll out a vaccine, but the government is now pushing for an accelerated vaccine roll out and the procurement of vaccine is improving with large shipments due to arrive in the coming months. Importantly, the tourism industry has been identified as a priority industry for vaccine distribution, meaning many guides and lodge staff have already received their first dose. 

Entry

Entry requirements to Uganda were updated on the 5th May 2021. At time of writing, passengers from some countries (including: US, UK, UAE, South Africa), must take a PCR test on arrival at Entebbe International Airport, unless they are fully vaccinated. 

The situation and specific policies are still not finalised, but we will provide an update when more information is released. 

Exit

At the time of writing, travellers leaving Uganda are required to take a PCR test valid within 120 hours of leaving the country. The testing process in Entebbe has been very efficient to date, with turnaround times between 6-12 hours. 

The COVID-19 pandemic is the biggest challenge the travel industry has faced in decades. We are working closely with all of our partners on the ground in Uganda to stay up to date with all the latest developments, supporting our 2020 bookings with their postponed trips, and preparing for the upcoming travel season. 

As a traveller, you'll likely have many questions and reservations about booking a trip right now - we totally understand that. There remains a lot of uncertainty, but we have worked hard to negotiate with our suppliers so that we can amend our booking terms to provide you with flexibility you need to book with confidence for 2021 and 2022. 

For any booking made after 1st May 2020, the following booking terms will apply: 

• Fee-free postponement to a future date should your trip be postponed due to COVID-19. 
• Should your trip be postponed due to COVID-19, any and all monies paid towards the trip to date will be transferred across to the postponed trip. 
• No deadline will apply to postponements, meaning whenever you are available to travel, you will have a trip with us.   
• Should your trip be postponed for reasons specific to Uganda (e.g. entry/exit requirements, non-COVID events), you can transfer to one of our other destinations in East Africa: Ethiopia, Kenya, or Tanzania. Note that in this case, it may not be possible to transfer across all monies paid towards the original trip, for example if you have paid for gorilla permits.