Uganda
Travel Destination – Uganda
Uganda sits on the equator in East Africa, bordered by Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan. Its landscapes range from rainforest and volcanic highlands to savannah, crater lakes and the Nile, supporting diverse wildlife and outdoor experiences.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is renowned for mountain gorilla trekking, while Mgahinga offers gorillas and golden monkeys. Kibale Forest is a major chimpanzee and primate destination, and Queen Elizabeth, Murchison Falls and Kidepo Valley National Parks offer varied safari experiences. Lake Bunyonyi and western Uganda's crater lakes provide scenic highland escapes.
Healthcare in Kampala includes some private hospital facilities, and outside the capital, medical care becomes progressively limited. Emergency medical evacuation is often required for serious illness. Comprehensive pre-travel preparation is essential.
Health Risks
Pre-travel preparation
A travel medicine consultation 6–8 weeks before departure allows Australian travellers to review routine and Uganda-specific vaccinations, malaria prevention, yellow fever requirements and risks associated with activities such as gorilla trekking, including animal exposure and rabies. A travel doctor can also tailor advice to your itinerary, health history and planned activities.
Arrange all prescription medicines and enough malaria medication for the full trip before leaving Australia, as access to medicines and medical care can be limited outside Kampala. Comprehensive travel insurance that includes emergency medical evacuation is particularly important when travelling to national parks or remote areas. Check current Smartraveller and Australian Centre for Disease Control advice before departure, as health and security conditions can change.
Insect avoidance
Uganda's equatorial climate supports year-round insect activity across the entire country. Malaria-transmitting Anopheles mosquitoes feed predominantly between dusk and dawn, while Aedes mosquitoes responsible for dengue and yellow fever are active during daylight hours. Protection is therefore necessary throughout the full 24-hour period from the day of arrival.
Insect repellent containing DEET or picaridin must be applied to all exposed skin throughout the day and evening, and reapplied after sweating or washing. Long-sleeved clothing and appropriate shoes provide a physical barrier. Accommodation with fly-screened windows or air conditioning is preferable, but a permethrin-treated bed net should be used if these are unavailable. Treating outer clothing and gear with permethrin before travel adds further protection, and is particularly recommended for gorilla and chimpanzee trekkers spending extended time in forested environments where insect density is high.
Food and water hygiene
Ugandan cuisine includes matooke (steamed green banana), roasted meats, groundnut stew, chapati and freshwater fish from Lake Victoria and the Nile. Gastroenteritis can cause diarrhoea, vomiting, nausea and abdominal cramps, can result from contaminated food or water. Hepatitis A and cholera can also be acquired through contaminated food or water, making consistent food and water hygiene important throughout the trip.
Tap water should not be relied on for drinking in Uganda, including in Kampala, so use sealed bottled or appropriately treated water for drinking and dental hygiene. Choose food that is freshly prepared and served hot, and take care with raw salads, cold pre-prepared foods, street food and market produce where hygiene or temperature control may be uncertain. Wash hands with soap before eating and after using the toilet, or use alcohol-based hand sanitiser when facilities are unavailable.
Rabies prevention
Rabies is present in Uganda and is carried by dogs, bats, and other mammals. Importantly, gorillas and chimpanzees can also potentially transmit rabies through bites or scratches. Rabies pre-exposure vaccination is important for all gorilla and chimpanzee trekkers and those working with animals, given the proximity to wildlife during these activities and the limited access to post-exposure treatment in remote national park settings.
All physical contact with animals should be avoided throughout the visit. Uganda Wildlife Authority regulations require a minimum distance of seven metres from all gorilla and chimpanzee families, and these rules exist as much for health protection as for wildlife welfare. Pre-exposure rabies vaccination is particularly recommended for gorilla and chimpanzee trekkers, those visiting rural areas or spending extended time in the country, and any traveller planning outdoor or adventure activities.
Seek urgent medical attention after any animal bite, scratch, or lick to broken skin, including from primates or other wildlife. Immediately wash the affected area thoroughly with soap and running water while arranging medical assessment, regardless of whether you have previously received rabies vaccination.
Our Travel Doctors
Our fully qualified doctors have an interest in travel medicine and immunisations. And they know travel. Their expert advice will be tailored for you, your travel companions and your trip.
Which shots do I need for Uganda?
Yellow Fever
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Yellow fever vaccination is both a requirement for entry into Uganda and an important personal health protection measure, as yellow fever transmission risk is present throughout the country.
A valid International Certificate of Vaccination must be presented on arrival for all travellers aged one year and over. The vaccine is administered at a registered yellow fever vaccination centre, must be received at least ten days before arrival, and provides lifelong immunity in the great majority of recipients.
Uganda has completed national mass vaccination campaigns that have significantly reduced yellow fever transmission, but the risk to unvaccinated travellers remains, and certification must be carried throughout the trip.
Meningococcal disease
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Parts of northern Uganda fall within the African meningitis belt, where meningococcal disease rates are substantially elevated. This bacterial infection of the brain and spinal cord lining can cause death or permanent disability without rapid treatment. Meningococcal vaccination is recommended for travellers visiting the African meningitis belt districts during the dry season from late November through June. A travel doctor can advise on the appropriate schedule based on individual vaccination history and planned itinerary.
Hepatitis A
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Hepatitis A is a viral liver infection contracted through contaminated food or water, causing fatigue, nausea, and jaundice. Vaccination is recommended for all previously unvaccinated travellers to Uganda.
Two doses provide long-lasting protection, and many Australians have not completed this course. A travel health consultation is the appropriate time to confirm vaccination history and administer any outstanding doses.
Typhoid
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Typhoid fever is caused by Salmonella Typhi bacteria in contaminated food or water, producing sustained fever, headache, fatigue, and abdominal discomfort that can progress to serious illness without treatment.
Vaccination for typhoid fever is recommended for most travellers to Uganda, particularly those eating outside of well-managed lodge kitchens, visiting local markets, staying in smaller towns, or spending time with families in local communities. Food and water hygiene remains an important complement to vaccination throughout the trip.
Rabies
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Rabies is present in Uganda and is carried by dogs, bats, and other mammals. Importantly, gorillas and chimpanzees can also potentially transmit rabies through bites or scratches. Rabies pre-exposure vaccination is important for all gorilla and chimpanzee trekkers and those working with animals, given the proximity to wildlife during these activities and the limited access to post-exposure treatment in remote national park settings.
All physical contact with animals should be avoided throughout the visit. Uganda Wildlife Authority regulations require a minimum distance of seven metres from all gorilla and chimpanzee families, and these rules exist as much for health protection as for wildlife welfare. Pre-exposure rabies vaccination is particularly recommended for gorilla and chimpanzee trekkers, those visiting rural areas or spending extended time in the country, and any traveller planning outdoor or adventure activities.
Seek urgent medical attention after any animal bite, scratch, or lick to broken skin, including from primates or other wildlife. Immediately wash the affected area thoroughly with soap and running water while arranging medical assessment, regardless of whether you have previously received rabies vaccination.
Mpox
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Mpox (formerly monkeypox) clade I is circulating in Uganda as part of the broader Central and East African outbreak. The virus spreads through close physical contact with an infected person or animal, including skin-to-skin contact, prolonged face-to-face exposure, and contact with contaminated materials.
Travellers should practise safe sex throughout their visit, avoid close contact with anyone displaying a febrile rash illness, and remain alert to any new skin lesions, swollen lymph nodes, or unexplained fever during or after travel.
Mpox vaccination may be appropriate for some travellers based on planned activities and individual risk, and a travel doctor can advise on eligibility and availability.
Measles
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Measles is a highly contagious viral infection that spreads through the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes, breathes or speaks. It commonly causes fever, cough, runny nose, red or watery eyes and a widespread rash, and can occasionally lead to serious complications such as pneumonia or inflammation of the brain. Cases continue to occur in many countries, making international travel a potential opportunity for exposure in airports, crowded transport and other shared settings.
Travellers born in 1966 or later who have incomplete or uncertain vaccination records should review their history with a travel doctor, who can advise whether further vaccination is appropriate.
Hepatitis B
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Hepatitis B is transmitted through blood and bodily fluids, including through unprotected sexual contact, non-sterile medical or dental procedures, and tattooing or piercing. Hepatitis B vaccination is recommended for longer stays, those working in healthcare or humanitarian roles, and others at higher risk.
Cholera
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Cholera is a bacterial infection caused by Vibrio cholerae, usually acquired by drinking contaminated water or eating contaminated food. It causes sudden, profuse watery diarrhoea and vomiting, which can lead to severe dehydration and become life-threatening within hours if fluids are not replaced. Cholera risk is particularly relevant where sanitation, sewage systems and access to clean water are limited, including some rural and displaced communities in Uganda.
For travellers, the most important protection is careful food and water hygiene. A cholera vaccine is available and may be recommended for travellers with particular itineraries or higher exposure risk, rather than routinely for every visitor to Uganda. A travel doctor can assess your plans and determine whether vaccination is appropriate.
If severe watery diarrhoea develops, begin oral rehydration solution immediately and seek urgent medical care, as rapid fluid replacement is the key treatment.
Routine vaccinations
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Travel to Uganda is a good opportunity to review routine vaccinations and make sure protection is up to date, particularly because travellers may spend time in crowded transport, rural communities, healthcare settings or remote outdoor environments.
MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) helps protect against highly contagious infections that can spread during international travel, while a tetanus vaccine and boosters protect against a serious infection that can enter the body through cuts, puncture wounds or contaminated injuries, particularly relevant for travellers undertaking activities such as gorilla or chimpanzee trekking. Diphtheria and pertussis (whooping cough) can also spread between people through respiratory droplets and close contact, and vaccination for hepatitis B, and polio is also important.
Annual influenza vaccination is recommended for travellers aged six months and over, as influenza circulates in Uganda and travel through airports and other crowded environments can increase opportunities for exposure. COVID-19 vaccination should be kept up to date according to current Australian public health recommendations, with additional doses recommended for some older adults and people with particular health conditions.
A travel doctor can review your Australian immunisation history and advise which vaccines or boosters are appropriate before departure.
Uganda
Other health risks in Uganda
Malaria
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Malaria risk is high throughout the year in various areas of Uganda, including the main towns of Fort Portal, Jinja, Kampala, Kigezi, and Mbale.
Malaria is caused by a parasite transmitted through the bites of infected mosquitoes most active from dusk to dawn. Plasmodium falciparum is the dominant species in Uganda and is responsible for the most serious and potentially fatal form of malaria. Without prompt treatment, falciparum malaria can deteriorate rapidly into life-threatening illness.
A travel doctor should prescribe the most appropriate antimalarial based on health history and planned itinerary, resistance to the medication chloroquine established throughout the country.
The full medication supply must be obtained in Australia before departure. Any fever arising during travel in Uganda, or within four weeks of returning home, requires immediate medical assessment with travel history clearly communicated to the treating clinician.
Sleeping sickness
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African trypanosomiasis, or sleeping sickness, is a parasitic infection transmitted by the bite of an infected tsetse fly. Uganda has areas where transmission occurs, particularly in some rural and wildlife regions. Early illness may cause fever, headache, fatigue, muscle aches and swollen lymph nodes; without treatment, the parasite can eventually affect the brain and nervous system, causing confusion, sleep disturbances, behavioural changes and other neurological symptoms. Tsetse flies are most active during the day and can bite through relatively thin clothing.
Travellers should reduce exposure by wearing long sleeves, long trousers and closed shoes, particularly when visiting game parks or rural areas, and avoiding areas with high tsetse-fly activity where practical. Tsetse flies are attracted to movement and dark colours, so neutral-coloured clothing is preferable in safari settings. There is no vaccine or preventive medication for sleeping sickness. Any unexplained fever or other illness developing during or after travel to Uganda should be assessed promptly, with the travel history clearly explained to the doctor.
Gastroenteritis
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Gastroenteritis is a common travel-related illness caused by bacteria, viruses or parasites, usually acquired through contaminated food or water. It can cause diarrhoea, abdominal cramps, nausea and vomiting, and symptoms may begin within hours to several days after exposure. Risk is higher where sanitation and food-handling standards are inconsistent, particularly outside established hotels and restaurants.
Use sealed bottled or appropriately treated water for drinking and brushing teeth, wash hands before eating and after using the toilet, and choose freshly cooked food served hot. Take particular care with raw salads, cold pre-prepared foods, undercooked meat or seafood, street food and produce that cannot be washed safely. If diarrhoea develops, oral rehydration solutions are the mainstay of treatment. Seek medical attention for severe or persistent symptoms, blood in the stool, significant dehydration or fever.
Dengue and Zika
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Dengue and Zika are viral infections spread by infected Aedes mosquitoes, which are most active during daylight hours. Dengue typically causes sudden fever, headache, marked muscle and joint aches and sometimes a rash. Severe dengue can cause bleeding, shock and organ complications. Zika is often mild or causes no symptoms, but infection during pregnancy can cause serious complications for the developing baby.
There is no specific antiviral treatment for either infection, so preventing mosquito bites is important. Apply DEET or picaridin-based repellent to exposed skin during the day and reapply after sweating or washing, and use long sleeves, trousers, screened or air-conditioned accommodation and other physical barriers where possible.
Travellers who develop fever, rash, significant joint pain or other compatible symptoms during or after time in Uganda should seek medical advice and mention their travel history.
Schistosomiasis
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Schistosomiasis is a parasitic infection spread through contact with freshwater bodies containing infected snails. The parasite penetrates intact skin during swimming, wading, or bathing in rivers, lakes, and ponds. Lake Victoria, the Kazinga Channel, and the country's other freshwater bodies carry this risk.
All freshwater swimming and bathing should be avoided throughout Uganda. Seawater and adequately chlorinated pools are safe alternatives. Any traveller with freshwater exposure should arrange testing on returning to Australia, where effective treatment is accessible.
Ebola
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Ebola virus disease is a serious viral infection that can spread through direct contact with the blood or other body fluids of an infected person or animal, or with contaminated materials. Outbreaks can occur in Uganda and neighbouring countries, so travellers should check current health advice before departure.
There is no specific treatment that travellers can take to prevent Ebola, and management requires specialised medical care. Avoid contact with anyone who is unwell with unexplained fever or other symptoms suggestive of Ebola, avoid contact with sick or dead animals, and maintain careful hand and personal hygiene.
If you develop fever, rash, unexplained bleeding or other significant illness during or after travel to an outbreak-affected area, seek urgent medical advice and disclose your travel history. Follow any current public health monitoring or follow-up recommendations after returning from an affected area.
Rift Valley fever
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Rift Valley fever (RVF) is a viral infection that mainly affects livestock but can also infect people. Humans can become infected through mosquito bites or contact with the blood, organs or other tissues of infected animals, making exposure more relevant for people working with livestock, visiting rural communities or participating in animal-related activities. Most human infections cause a short-lived fever, headache, muscle aches and weakness, but a small proportion can develop serious complications, including eye disease, brain inflammation or bleeding.
There is no widely available vaccine for human travellers and no specific treatment, so prevention focuses on avoiding exposure. Use insect repellent and other mosquito protection, particularly around dawn and dusk, and avoid contact with blood, organs or other body fluids from livestock or animals that appear sick. Thoroughly cook meat and avoid consuming unpasteurised animal products. Any unexplained fever after rural or animal exposure in Uganda should be assessed promptly, with the travel and exposure history provided to the treating clinician.
Tuberculosis
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Tuberculosis (TB) is an airborne bacterial infection spread when an infected person coughs or speaks nearby, primarily affecting the lungs and producing persistent cough, fever, night sweats, and unexplained weight loss. Uganda carries a tuberculosis burden above the global average.
Travellers on short stays with limited community contact face relatively low risk. Those spending extended periods in the country, working in healthcare or community settings, or in close ongoing contact with local populations should discuss TB screening with a doctor before and after travel.
Non-infectious conditions
Crime and unrest
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Security conditions in Uganda vary by region and can change, so travellers should check current advice when planning their itinerary and during their stay. The Australian government's Smartraveller website has up to date information.
Petty crime, including pickpocketing and bag snatching, can occur in busy urban and tourist areas, while more serious crime has also been reported. Demonstrations and large gatherings can become unpredictable. Travellers should be aware of applicable local laws and consider how these may affect their visit.
Safety on the roads and elsewhere
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Road conditions and driving practices vary across Uganda, with traffic and road safety considerations particularly relevant outside major urban areas. Boda-bodas (motorcycle taxis) are widely used but have a higher risk of road injury than enclosed vehicles. For longer journeys and visits to national parks, reputable transport providers with experienced drivers are preferable, and travelling during daylight can reduce some road-related risks.
Gorilla and chimpanzee trekking involves uneven, steep and sometimes slippery terrain, particularly in rainforest environments. Appropriate footwear and a suitable level of fitness are recommended. Trekkers should follow instructions from Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers and guides and maintain the required distance from wildlife.
Deep vein thrombosis
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Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clot that forms in a deep vein, usually in the leg. Very rarely, it can travel to the lungs and cause a pulmonary embolism (PE). Long-distance flights increase risk because prolonged sitting slows blood flow.
Move around the cabin regularly, perform ankle rotations, foot pumps and calf raises while seated, maintain normal fluid intake, limit excessive alcohol, and wear comfortable clothing.
Risk is higher with previous DVT/PE, recent surgery or hospitalisation, pregnancy or the post-partum period, oestrogen-containing contraception or hormone therapy, active cancer, significant overweight or certain clotting disorders; discuss individual risk and whether compression stockings or other preventive measures are appropriate with a doctor before departure.
Altitude sickness
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Most commonly visited parts of Uganda are at elevations where altitude illness is unlikely for most travellers. The Rwenzori Mountains, however, reach more than 5,000 metres, where acute mountain sickness and more serious altitude-related conditions can occur.
Travellers planning high-altitude expeditions should allow time for acclimatisation and discuss altitude precautions and emergency plans with an appropriately experienced doctor or guide.