Reality Brief: Gulu

Current alerts

• DRC and South Sudan borders

  DRC (outside escorted parks) and South Sudan borders strongly advised against; Semuliki and Karamoja advised against except for essential travel.

  Published on March 11, 2026 · France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Uganda, safety

• Ebola in the DRC

  Ebola outbreak centred in the DRC: border with the DRC closed since 27 May, enhanced health screening.

  Published on September 2, 2026 · GOV.UK (FCDO), Uganda travel advice: entry requirements

Alerts checked on October 2, 2026 against the sources cited.

Essentials before you arrive

• The visa (50 USD single entry) can only be obtained online through the official Uganda E-Immigration system; visa on arrival has been suspended since July 2021. Print the approval and show it on arrival. Beware of more expensive fraudulent sites. The East Africa tourist visa (Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda) costs 100 USD for 90 days.

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Uganda, entry and residenceGOV.UK (FCDO), Uganda travel advice: entry requirementsGuide: Entry and residence

• A yellow fever vaccination certificate is mandatory on entry; carry the original.

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Uganda, entry and residenceGOV.UK (FCDO), Uganda travel advice: entry requirementsGuide: Entry and residence

• Passport valid for at least 6 months after arrival (after your departure date according to Canada).

  GOV.UK (FCDO), Uganda travel advice: entry requirementsGovernment of Canada, Travel advice: UgandaGuide: Entry and residence

• Police, fire, ambulance: 999 (or 112). There is no emergency medical service like SAMU: save hospital numbers in advance.

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Uganda, useful contactsGOV.UK (FCDO), Uganda travel advice: getting helpFrance Diplomatie, Travel advice: Uganda, safetyGuide: Health

• Snatch theft, burglaries and armed robberies are common, including in Kampala's residential areas (Kololo, Nakasero, Naguru), Entebbe and Jinja. Highway robbers operate at night: arrive before dark.

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Uganda, safetyGuide: Safety and emergencies

• The currency is the Ugandan shilling (UGX). Cards are only accepted at major hotels, airlines and some agencies; ATMs in big cities do not take all cards. Bring foreign currency to change at bureaus or banks.

  Government of Canada, Travel advice: UgandaFrance Diplomatie, Travel advice: Uganda, useful informationGuide: Money and banking

• Same-sex relations are illegal and heavily punished; "promoting homosexuality" carries up to 20 years in prison. Intolerance can turn violent.

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Uganda, useful informationFrance Diplomatie, Travel advice: Uganda, safetyGuide: Daily life and local laws

Living in Gulu

• Strongly advised against by France (update of 11 March 2026): the DRC border outside escorted parks, Bwera and its surroundings, and the South Sudan border. Advised against except for essential travel: Semuliki National Park and Karamoja (avoid the Moroto-Kotido-Kaabong road to Kidepo).

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Uganda, safetyGuide: Safety and emergencies

• Accidents are very frequent, especially at night; avoid driving at night and keep doors locked. Avoid minibuses and motorbike taxis; if needed, book through an app. An international permit is required with your national licence. Accident: police 999 or 112.

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Uganda, safetyFrance Diplomatie, Travel advice: Uganda, useful informationGuide: Safety and emergencies

Field experience

• Tip

  Pharmacies, clinics and hospitals

  Listed in OpenStreetMap (not exhaustive): pharmacies (20), clinics (9), hospitals (20). Locate those near your home in the first days and check opening hours and on-call services locally.

• Tip

  Where to shop for food

  Listed in OpenStreetMap (not exhaustive): markets (5), supermarkets (8). Compare a few basic prices between market and supermarket before settling into habits.

• Tip

  Banks, cash machines and exchange

  Listed in OpenStreetMap (not exhaustive): banks (17), cash machines (2), currency exchange (2), money transfer (3). Withdraw and change money at these official places, preferably during the day, never in the street.

• Tip

  A shop for your SIM card

  Listed in OpenStreetMap (not exhaustive): phone and internet (3). Go with your passport: SIM registration is often mandatory.

• Tip

  A furnished flat for the first weeks

  Listed in OpenStreetMap (not exhaustive): furnished apartments (1). A furnished flat gives you time to visit several neighbourhoods before signing a lease.

• Emergency numbers

  Police, fire, ambulance: 999 or 112.

  999112+256 414 342 222

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Uganda, useful contactsGOV.UK (FCDO), Uganda travel advice: getting help· Oct 2, 2026

• Road accident unit

  Road accident police unit.

  0800 199 099

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Uganda, useful information· Oct 2, 2026