Local
currency is the Uganda Shilling (Ush). The exchange rate of USD:Ush is
approximately 1:1,600. You can change money at the Barclays Bank in Mukono TownThe Red Chilli Hideaway is a good weekend getaway in Kampala
The Adrift and Nile River Explorers (NRE) camps are great weekend getaways in Jinja
If you are a foreigner, you are a “mzungu”
Mass transit is a white mini-van and is called a “taxi”. A private car for hire is called a “special hire”
There is no day light savings. During the summer the time zone is GMT+2. During the winter it is GMT+3
The capital city is Kampala
The guesthouse security gate is locked by 10:30pm
Don’t drink the water
An hour of internet costs about $1 (Ush1,500-1,800) and is very slow
Anopheles (malaria carrying) mosquitoes are active from midnight to 5am and they don’t make a sound
The 2 major English language newspapers are “The New Vision” and “Monitor”
Try the fresh passionfruit juice. Try the roast pork
A permit to see the gorillas is $1,000. See Uganda Wildlife Authority for details
Never say “hi”, always say “how are you”
The most common ailment among volunteers is dehydration
There’s a gym, swimming pool, shower, and good food at the Colline Hotel in Mukono
Lunch time is 1pm or later. Supper might be served after 8pm
If you have to pee, it’s called “making a short call”
Constantly collect small bills and coins for village purchases
Potatoes are called “irish”. Peanuts are called “g-nuts”
If someone says “you’ve grown fat”, it’s a compliment
Go with “Adrift” if you want to go white water rafting, they’ll pick you up in Mukono if you ask them
Don’t swim in the lake, you’ll get bilharzias
If you’re in the mood for a dance and some karaoke, try Kisumali in Mukono
To greet someone in Luganda, the local language in Mukono, say “Olyotya”
A “rolex” is an omelette wrapped in a chapatti, you’ll have many
There is no airport departure tax
Esther is an awesome cook
There’s good internet in Mukono at the Best Meals building, one floor below the restaurant
There’s great internet at Lugogo Mall, Jinja Road, at the Uganda Telecom shop
The best pizza in Jinja is at Two Friends Restaurant, in Kampala it’s at NY Kitchen in Garden City
Christians and Muslims live together in harmony in Uganda
Ugandans don’t like confrontation. Never shout at a Ugandan
Barclay’s Bank and Standard Chartered Bank in Kampala take Visa related ATM cards.
When Ugandans speak English, they often replace “l” with “r”, play becomes pray
If you are open and relaxed Ugandans will love and welcome you
There’s a swimming pool, hot showers, good food and traditional dancing at the Ridar Hotel in Seeta
Baganda women and girls kneel when greeting
Bring earplugs if you can’t sleep in a noisy environment
As a pedestrian, you do not have the right of way, get off the road!
The electricity goes out every second or third day for 4 to 24 hours
Red Chili has a great budget safari to Murchison Falls
The population of Uganda is 28,000,000, it’s about the same size as the state of Oregon
Motorcyles and scooters are called “bodabodas”. They’re cheap transport
Jose Chameleone, Bebe Cool, and Bobby Wine are huge popstars
A taxi from Mukono to Kampala is Ushs1,300
If you want to go to Northern Uganda, you can, just ask for our advice before going
Garden City is a shopping mall that has everything: movie theatre, bowling alley, karaoke
Matooke is the main staple food, it’s made from un-ripened mashed bananas
MTN is THE major mobile phone company, and it’s everywhere
It is not an easy thing to volunteer in Uganda, but it’s fun if you have the right attitude
