Uganda Country Report

The Republic of Uganda is a developing, landlocked country in central East Africa. The country is relatively stable with the political landscape having been dominated by President Yoweri Museveni and his National Resistance Movement (NRM) since 1986. Uganda has made significant strides over the past two decades to become one of the best performing economies in the region, though it remains poor by global standards. The country possesses substantial natural resources such as deposits of copper and cobalt, although systemic corruption has undermined foreign investment.

Dissatisfaction with Museveni's rule has generated deadly episodes of unrest. Tribal and ethnic tensions also remain a salient trigger for violence, although urban areas are rarely affected. Primary threats to foreign travelers come from petty criminal activity, health hazards and road traffic collisions. The western border remains subject to insurgent activity operating in DRC while northern border areas continue to be affected by a prevailing deteriorating environment and the presence of armed groups in neighboring South Sudan. Despite recent investment, infrastructure remains relatively underdeveloped throughout most of the country.

Uganda's western, northwestern, and northeastern border areas are prone to insecurity linked to rebel groups operating in neighboring countries, armed banditry, and inter-communal tensions. There is also a latent terrorist threat in Uganda from groups based in the region (DRC, Somalia).

Opportunistic, typically non-violent, crime is the main threat to foreign travelers, but armed banditry is an issue in remote areas along the borders of the DRC, South Sudan, and Kenya. Unrest, typically driven by socio-economic and political issues, occurs with some frequency in the country's main urban centers and is often met with an aggressive response from security forces, with levels of violence typically peaking during electoral periods.

There are no major concerns associated with air travel in Uganda and the country’s main airports are in compliance with ICAO regulatory standards.

Uganda has one of the highest rates of road traffic fatalities in the world and the country’s road network is generally poorly maintained, marked and lit.

There are no seaports in Uganda.

The country has a relatively low electrification rate, with reliable access largely limited to the capital and other large urban centers. Despite tentative improvements, internet penetration rates also remain low with connections concentrated in urban centers.

The country is considered an attractive target for cyberattacks. Its defenses against such an attack are thought to be weak.

Uganda is located in a seismically-active region, with several low-to-moderate tremors reported annually, although western and northern areas are also vulnerable to more powerful earthquakes. Flooding is common during the March-May and October-November rainy seasons and following other periods of significant rainfall, particularly in central and eastern regions. Droughts present a significant concern in Uganda, negatively impacting food security and exacerbating soil degradation and the country’s vulnerability to flooding during the rainy season. Landmines and unexploded ordnance also pose an environmental hazard in some areas, particularly in the northern border region.

Travelers’ diarrhea is the most commonly reported ailment for foreign visitors in Uganda, although malaria is a more significant health risk in many areas of the country. The quality of medical care in the country is generally poor, with only a handful of hospitals in major cities that can provide adequate services. Pharmaceutical shortages are also standard across the country, although less acute at private facilities in the capital. Tap water is not considered fit for consumption.

Uganda's political sphere continues to be dominated by President Yoweri Museveni and his National Resistance Movement (NRM), with a divided opposition struggling to effectively challenge the ruling party due to infighting and government hurdles. In 2017, Museveni pushed through constitutional reforms to remove the presidential age limit. Corruption is a major issue in the country, affecting the government, bureaucracy, and security apparatus. The rule of law is generally weak, hindered by a culture of impunity stemming from the selective implementation of laws.