Guidelines on visiting Uganda during the Coronavirus pandemic: Facts and latest information

Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) also known as the novel coronavirus has been confirmed as pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO). A pandemic is a disease that is spreading in multiple countries around the world at the same time.

This has caused a lot of fear and panic world over and travelers who had planned safaris all over the world and Uganda inclusive wonder whether it is safe to visit the country. There are several set guidelines on traveler’s world over and here are guidelines on visiting Uganda during the coronavirus pandemic and important information on coronavirus.

What is the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)?

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Coronaviruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV).

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a new strain that was discovered in 2019 and has not been previously identified in humans. It is a pneumonia of unknown cause first detected in Wuhan, China and was first reported to the WHO on 31^st December 2019.

Coronaviruses are zoonotic which means they are transmitted between animals and people.

The recent current outbreak originated in Wuhan city of China which is a major domestic and international transport hub.

There is no specific treatment for coronaviruses but symptoms can be treated.

What are the signs of Coronavirus?

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the common signs of coronavirus infection include respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. In more severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death.

How to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus infections

Standard recommendations to prevent infection spread include;

1. Regular handwashing with soap and water
2. Covering mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing
3. Thoroughly cooking meat and eggs
4. Avoid close contact with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness such as coughing and sneezing
5. To avoid possible infection from animals, avoid unnecessary unprotected contact with live animals and wash your hands thoroughly after contact with an animal and make sure your meat is cooked thoroughly before consumption.

When and how to wear a mask

If you are healthy, you only need to wear a mask if you are taking care of a person with suspected 2019-nCoV infection. Here is how and when to wear a mask;

• Wear a mask if you are coughing or sneezing
• Masks are effective only when used in combination with frequent hand-cleaning with alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water.
• Before putting on a mask, clean hands with alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water.
• Cover mouth and nose with mask and make sure there are no gaps between your face and the mask.
• Avoid touching the mask while using it.
• Replace mask with a new one as soon as it is damp and do not re-use single-use masks.
• To remove the mask: remove it from behind (do not touch the front of the mask); discard immediately in a closed bin; clean hands with alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water.

Note: Do not wear a mask if you are healthy and not taking care of any COVID-19 patient. If you wear one wrongly, it increases the risk of getting infected.

Is there Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Uganda?

Till now (16^th March 2020), Uganda has not registered any confirmed case of Coronavirus (COVID-19). However, the threat from a few confirmed cases from neighboring countries has made the Ministry of Health in Uganda to set strict rules on travelers and visitors coming into the country.

Uganda has restricted visitors from currently 16 countries with what it terms as high cases of coronavirus (Category 1). These include China, France, Germany, Iran, Italy, South Korea, San Marino, Belgium, USA, United Kingdom, Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, Austria, Malaysia, and Spain.

All individuals from countries in category 1 who insist on visiting Uganda will be subjected to self-quarantine or institutional quarantine (health facility) at their own cost.

Quarantine is isolation from the public under supervision from the health experts.

Self-quarantine has been defined by the ministry of health as the transparent self-restriction of persons’ activities when they are not ill with COVID-19 for the purpose of protecting unexposed members of the communities from contracting the disease should any at risk traveler become sick.

Jane Ruth Aceng, the minister of health stated that, “Government has decided to ask travelers from the affected countries not to come to Uganda because the high cases they are reporting can easily be imported into the country”

Currently, Uganda has no current confirmed case of COVID-19. However, to date, a total of 1,632 travelers including Ugandans and others traveling back home have been identified as high-risk and identified for purposes of follow up. Of these, 1,071 are Chinese, 244 are Ugandans, 43 are Italians, 3 from South Korea and 484 are other nationals.

A total of 986 travelers re under self-quarantine, of which 606 have completed the mandatory 14 days of self-Quarantine.

So far, samples from 26 persons who presented with signs and symptoms similar to that of COVID-19 have been tested. All tested negative.

Current Global situation of Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Coronavirus has spread to all continents and 109 countries.

Globally there are 113,702 confirmed cases and 4,000 deaths from COVID-19 by 10^th March 2020.

Have you been planning on visiting Uganda? Now that you are aware of the current travel status you may have to revise your travel plans.

Uganda Safari Activities

Uganda has a variety of activities for tourists to  undertake and to help you better plan for 2020, here is a guide on the top activities to include in your bucket list;

• Gorilla trekking

Uganda gorilla trekking safaris are done in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Southwestern Uganda. Gorilla safaris in Uganda started way back in 1993 when gorilla trekking was opened to tourists after a gorilla habituation process. A gorilla trekking permit in Uganda costs USD 600 for each permit sold to only individuals above the age of 15. 

• Wildlife viewing 

Uganda is home to a diversity of wildlife ranging from the “Big five” something that has made wildlife safaris in Uganda a top choice for tourists that tour Uganda.

Uganda is home to about 345 mammal species found in the 10 national parks, wildlife reserves and sanctuaries. These mammal species comprise of East African and West African species found in forests and especially savannah plains. The top wildlife viewing parks in Uganda include Murchison Falls National Park, Kidepo Valley National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park.

• Birding/bird watching 

Birding Uganda should be a top option for all passionate birders since the country has more than 1,080 confirmed bird species within its boundaries. This is almost half of the bird species in Africa’s reason for Uganda birding safaris to be at the top choice on any birders on Africa bird watching tours.

Uganda is home to forest, woodland, water and savannah bird species. The top bird-watching spots include Mabamba wetland,  Bwindi forest, Murchison Falls National Park, Kidepo Valley National Park, Semuliki National Park, and Moaning National Park.

• Chimpanzee trekking

One of the most interesting primates to trek while on safaris in Uganda are the Chimpanzees. Chimpanzee trekking in Uganda is almost the second popular tracking activity after gorilla trekking. Uganda has a high population of chimpanzees with close to 5000 of them in the county most of them in their natural habitats. 

The chimpanzee trekking spots include Kibale Forest National Park, Budongo Forest,  Kyambura Gorge, and Kalinzu Forest. 

Here is our early guide to help you through your planning, in case you would like to book a trip or need more advice contact your Uganda safari tour operator. 

Popular tour packages in Uganda

All of these activities can be done either in a single trip or as a tailored trip. Here are several safari packages in Uganda for different kinds of activities;

3 days gorilla safari Uganda 

12 days jungle safari Uganda 

7 days great primates Uganda safari 

9 days Uganda wildlife tour 

14 days Uganda safari Eco-explorer 

18 days best of Uganda safari