We’re excited for you as you begin to plan for your trip to Uganda – East Africa! Sports Friends will do our best to prepare you and share with you what you need to know for this trip.

Shots

Contact your local VNA/Hospitals and they will asks you specifically which countries you will be in and put it into an internet site that will give you up to date recommendations about what you should have. You may be required to get: up to date Tetenus, Yellow Fever, Polio, Typhoid, and perhaps a TB check you may on this trip be exposed to it, your medical bureau are in better position for this explanation.

You also need Malaria medicine. There is some available in Uganda, but it is better to start taking before you come. You may choose which to use, the Ugandan version needs to be started a week before you leave and continued a week after you get back.

We suggest that you purchase Travel Medical Insurance for while you are there if this is necessary. This will cover various travel mishaps as well as really good medical coverage. I don’t know the system in your country, you are in better position for this.

Cultural Things to Consider

African culture is generally very tribal. Respect is earned over time and generally men are respected more than women. This does not apply to children; they are very attentive and respect older people. Please be careful not to talk to your new friends in Africa about material possessions that you have in country (U.S)

Sometimes there is a tendency where one may feel wanting to come in and change everything to be like U.S. Try to resist this and eventually you will see many benefits and how we change gradually to the western world system.
There is such a self denial of many young people in Uganda trying to be ‘Americans and western’ bound, they enjoy a lot of American slung, of course from the movie and other cable channels.

It is a rare thing to be on time, everything takes longer than you think it should, and it is often frustrating when nothing works out the way you think it should. Though many people speak English, it is their second language. There will still be a language barrier. British English is spoken with an African ascent; It is very helpful for you to speak slowly while communicating.
To show respect in some churches girls shouldn’t wear jeans or shorts on a Sunday service. This may not apply with my church, we are more liberal.

However, those that may be involved in special programs in Church for Sunday need to dress appropriately to their convenience.
We are very sensitive to gender, and sexuality. We always pick on behaviors that strangely portray a same sex relationship. No earrings on guys. No drinking beer especially in the presence of the Ugandans. No fancy jewelry especially when traveling down town. For church- girls need to wear a skirt and nice shirt. Guys for church- nice button down shirts.

Money to bring

We encourage but do not require that you raise more money than you may use, this helps us to use on projects and also boost our budgets. It also helps us broaden our support base and spread the work of Sports Friends Uganda.
You may need some more money for the expenses that include: Laundry, Dinners, and a team fun trip, note that if you have to go for a safari, booking are made way in time as there many tourists coming for the same.
Any money through Sports friends will need to be tracked and you will need receipts for all money spent. Please make sure you ask for receipt from Terence who is helping us on Administration.

If you need to get money wired to Uganda or for donations make checks out to Sports Friends Uganda and mail to or let me know when this is necessary:
Sports Friends Int’l (U)
06 Entebbe Road
P.O. Box 2343
Kampala - Uganda

Bringing Cash- $100. dollar bills- after the year 2000 get the best exchange rate. (Uganda will not exchange 1996 bills- because Nigerians counterfeited them then) Debit cards & credit cards can be used some places, although there are fees for using these. This does not have any effect on Euros and Pounds.

All money wire to the account shall have a surcharge.

This is the wiring codes

Bank Address: Standard Chartered Bank Plot 5 Speke Road P.O Box 7111 Kampala Uganda
Account Name: Sports Friends International (U) Account Number: 0102830143500 Swift Code: SCBLUGKA


To Pack: (Personal)
White gets dirty and turns red/ brown quickly
Emergen-C / Airborne or vitamins
Anti-bacterial wet wipes to clean with when no water, face wash
Bug spray- w. deet
After bite itch cream
Mosquito net-bug huts (REI sells a great one)
5 changes of clothing
Sneakers and sandals
Towel
Power bars or granola bars
Headlamp
Flash lights
Extra batteries

We ask that you try to pack all your personal items in one backpack or suitcase. You can pack a second and maybe third bin/bag of supplies and things to bring for the children, volunteer staff and orphanage (may be ports equipment and Bibles).

Contacting you there

Internet cafes are available (usually every other day when there is electricity), although internet connections are very slow and unreliable.
You can also be reached via cell phone that I will get for Bryan or any other leaders while in Uganda.
Cell Numbers: (256) 714 407 953 or another one I will provide as you confirm your travel
It is 6-8 hours time difference.

NB: It is better to send text with these cell phones as it may be very expensive to call home. However, people from home can call and that’s okay.

Entry Visas

Ugandan visas may be obtained upon arrival at the Entebbe International Airport for delegates travelling from North America, Europe, Asia and Latin America. The fee is $30 US dollars. You are also encouraged to check with your travel agent to confirm requirements from your country of origin.

Health/Immunization

• Meningitis
• Typhoid
• Hepatitis
• Yellow Fever – visitors from or passing through a yellow fever & cholera zone (most of tropical Africa and South America) must be able to produce a valid International Certificate of Vaccination. Travellers passing through airports only of such a zone are exempt.
• All visitors should take malaria prophylactic drugs.
• It is advisable to drink bottled rather than tap water.

Please note that if you wish to forego the immunizations you may obtain an official waiver from your physician.

Attire

Clothing attire is business casual. There will be more details in future updates.

Weather

The months of June to September is a dry season with temperatures ranging from 16.9 to 25.4c (62.4 – 77.7f)

Currency

Local currency is the Ugandan Shilling (UGX). The US dollar is traditionally the hard currency of preference, but Euro and Pound Sterling are also widely accepted. Hard currency cash can be changed for local currency at banks and private bureaux de change in all large towns, but travellers’ cheques are not widely accepted outside Kampala. Local currency can be drawn against Visa and other major credit cards at selected ATMs in Kampala, at Entebbe International Airport, and in a few other large towns.

Uganda Information

www.visituganda.com
www.lonelyplanet.com/worldguide/uganda

Here’s some Lugandan for you to start practicing:

OLYIOTIA--------HOW ARE YOU?

JENDI----------I AM FINE

JANGU -------COME

OMWANA------A CHILD

OMUSAJJA-------A MAN

OMUKAZI--------A WOMAN

EMMERE--------FOOD

ENYUMBA------ A HOUSE

TUGENDE---------LET’S GO

ABAANA-------------KIDS

Phrase

TUGENDE MU NYUMBA---------------LET’S GO IN THE HOUSE

TULYA MMERE---------------------------WE ARE EATING FOOD

SITULA OMWANA----------------------CARRY THE CHILD

OMUSAJJA OYO WAKISA--------------THAT MAN IS SO KIND

MUKAMA YEBAZIBWE-----------------PRAISE THE LORD

OMUKAZI OYO ALI MU BWANGU-----THAT WOMAN IS IN A HURRY