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A 57 year-old Ugandan story

It has been a 57year-old affair. It started with ‘discoveries’ by explorers and soothed into a full-blown colonial system. After nearly a century, Great Britain would give Uganda rights to make its own political decisions and basically govern itself. And yes, Independence Day in Uganda has been a state holiday celebrated on October 9 every year since 1962.

So today as Uganda commemorates this 57th Independence anniversary in the Eastern Uganda district of Sironko, the theme is freedom. To be specific: Consolidating National Unity, Security, Freedom, and Prosperity, is the theme. Government mouthpiece, Ofwono Opondo agrees that the past two years haven’t been a walk in the park.

“… the past two years there has been creeping criminality involving robbery with violence, kidnaps, and murders which has caused fear, anxiety, and apprehension that perhaps Uganda’s security system had collapsed,” he says. “Cases of alleged and sometimes, established incidences of illegal, unlawful arrests and detention, and torture by elements in the security agencies haven’t lessened those apprehensions that Uganda is sliding back to the dark days.”

He quickly adds that most of these cases have occurred in the metropolitan areas comprising Kampala, Wakiso, and Mukono. “As we celebrate the 57th year of independence we should know that Uganda is very secure, stable, and consolidating progress in spite of those isolated unfortunate incidences,” he says.  “Also, that Uganda has never been more secure and promising than today.”

Opondo maintains that despite the euphoria that reigned in the first years, in 1964, politics became turbulent as fair-weather allies UPC and Kabaka Yekka, turned against each other, and by 1966, full-scaled war exploded with the expulsion of Sir Edward Mutesa, as the first president. The subsequent destruction and abolition of cultural institutions throughout Uganda have had grave and painful consequences.

“That turbulence continued throughout much of the first three decades until 2006 when the NRM extinguished raging fire with the defeat of the LRA in northern Uganda and disarming Karimong warriors and livestock rustlers,” he adds. “That turbulent history was also characterized by episodes of coups, dictatorships, external military invasion, contested electoral outcomes, civil wars, a collapsed economy, and a failed state. Uganda suffered intermittent conflicts mainly because of intransigence by parochial and weak leaders who sought to build their political bases on tribal, ethnic, and religious sectarianism taking false advantage of these diversities.”

He goes to tell of the 1966 occurrence that saw Prime Minister, Apollo Milton Obote, overthrew Mutesa, declared himself president, and Uganda a republic, a presidency that would birth Idi Amin. “Successive military coups and violent regimes followed including Idi Amin’s eight years, the reign of terror, blood, murders, complete economic ruin, and a failed state from 1971-1979,” he narrates.

 The tourism angle
Though ours has obviously been a turbulent story, Lilly Ajarova, the Chief Executive Officer of Uganda Tourism Board believes that Uganda can salvage some ‘good ‘out of this. Speaking to the Independent, she said that this could be turned into dark tourism, a thing that is getting especially popular around the world. Dark tourism offers complex and personal stories of those affected.

“These also act as deterrents so that such events never occur again. Uganda’s history especially during the 1970s gives us a unique understanding of the character that many people – both citizens and foreigners would want to learn from,” she explains. “One of the most touted forms of dark tourism in Uganda has been a museum about former dictator Idi Amin.” A dark past, times like the Kony-led rebellion in the north, the overthrowing of governments and massacres can be turned into stories, and museums built to the effect.

8 Popular Cars to Hire in Uganda

Car rentals in Uganda are currently one of the most sought after travel services by travelers. Usually, we get puzzled up while planning our safaris and at the end, we fail to fulfill our dreams. Do you need to rent a car for a safari in Uganda? Well, it is a high time you achieved your dreams in Africa. There are many affordable, reliable and authorized car rental services in Uganda that will help you get that comfortable car for your safari needs. Check out for a range of car hire agencies in Uganda and the rest of things will be for you to make the best choice that suits your travel needs. Our services range from 4 by 4 cars, Saloon cars up to Mini bus as well as Coaster Vans. Acquiring one for your safari in Uganda will reward you with a life time experiences. All our car rentals are well suited to transverse through Uganda’s bumpy roads. Basically, you only need to contact us and hire a car of your choice that will match with travel itinerary and budget. We mind about the global economic situation today that is why our prices may also include the insurance and any local taxes on unlimited mileage. Simply hit on our online reservation box and within 2 minutes time you will be sorted.

Below is a list of comfortable and famous cars that you can rent to help you enjoy the most exciting travel experiences in life.

Toyota Prado:

Preferably, this is one of the most famous 4 by 4 cars that you can rent for a safari in Uganda. Travelers who intend to take self drive safaris in Uganda’s remotest national parks or any corner in Uganda, a Toyota Prado is undoubtedly the best option for you to achieve your dreams. Toyota Prado car comes in the following types; the Prado TX, UG and 3 Liter Turbo. It accommodates about 5 persons and this includes the driver as well. You can hire a Toyota Prado in Uganda at a relatively cheaper cost. It is also spacious enough to accommodate travelers’ property and camping gear. It is preferably the best to get you through Uganda’s dusty roads that you will encounter while you are heading to enjoy Uganda’s remarkable wildlife in national parks like Kidepo Valley National Park, Murchison Falls National Park and many others. Most interestingly, some of these incredible cars have a pop up roof which will get you a better glimpse of Uganda’s most spectacular wildlife and definitely you will have the best photo taking position.

Toyota RAV4:

This is another perfect car to get you the best self drive tours, city safaris, picnic holidays and events in Uganda. They come in both manual and automatic transmission with about 3 or 5 doors. The engine is 1990cc with tremendous atmospheres despite the weather conditions. It is less demanding in terms of maintenance and fueling. It is rear seats can also be folded down and you will have space to put many things. This type of car is only convenient for 2 travelers despite the fact that it’s licensed to transport about 5 people. It is can be accessed at a relatively affordable prices.

Super custom:

This may also include Hiace Van or Mini-bus; it is mostly convenient for bigger groups and especially for family safaris in Uganda and beyond. They carry approximately fourteen people but the space for your property is based on the number people traveling and length of a safari. For long tours, travelers will need much luggage to carry unlike the short tours. They are also found in automatic and manual transmissions and they have a sun roof.

Safari Land Cruiser:

This is also a 4 by 4 type that is popularly used by tourists who are interested in guided safaris and camping experiences in Uganda. This car carries up to eight tourists and it has a sun roof to allow you have wide range of glance at Uganda wildlife while on game drive.

Toyota Corona:

This is of small size and best suited for 2 to 5 travelers. It is more convenient for self drive safaris, city safaris, conference meetings and events.

Coaster Bus:

This car can be hired for people who travel in larger numbers of about 35 and it is convenient for school students, conference travelers, business travelers and bigger families. You can also hire 25 seater and 29 seater mini-buses or coasters.

Nissan Patrol:

This is another bigger 4 wheel drive car which well suited for safaris and tough roads and this is best for Uganda roads. It carries about 3 to 5 travelers and it has enough space to accommodate your property.

Salon car:

For budget travelers, getting a salon car can be the best option for you to take a safari in Uganda.

In conclusion, there are very many car rentals in Uganda that offer you opportunity to make the best choice for your safari. For new travelers, they can hire a car together with a qualified driver in case they are not familiar with driving techniques on Uganda roads or any country in Africa. Enjoy your safari with us and have a memorable experience in life.

Self Driving in Uganda: Important Things to Know

Self driving in Uganda or preferably self drive car hire is on crucial decision to make if you decide to travel to Uganda. A Self drive in Uganda requires you to hire a car from a local car rental agency and drive yourself un-guided. This is a more common practice done by return visitors to Uganda that feel they can do it as well. However there are many first time visitors to Uganda who know and affirm they can do it on their own.

Self drive destinations in Uganda are mainly the top tourist attraction scattered around the country. From tracking mountain gorillas in the southern part of Uganda to wildlife safaris in over 10 national game reserves east-west-north and south.

Self drive car hire requires you to have wide knowledge about Uganda by taking off months and reading each and every spot about Uganda before you decide to travel on a self drive car hire. There are a few things you actually need to know and affirm you can handle for the incredible experience.

The roads

Many of the roads in Uganda at the current situation are in perfect conditions. Most of the main roads heading upcountry are well paved and easily accessed. However the roads that branch off to main attractions are gravy and a little bumpy but absolutely passable. However others are being constructed to meet the requirements of road safety. Driving on the tarmac roads is 80km/hr as maximum speed and 50km/hr as minimum speed in towns and centres. A lot of traffic policemen are stationed on these roads with speed guns pointing at every car that comes their sight. So if you maintain averagely 50km/hr on your self drive car hire, you got a the first step to your self drive in Uganda a success. These traffic policemen/women are sometimes annoying. You really need to handle them so you go past them.

Driving in Kampala

Kampala is the capital city of Uganda and being a capital city of developing country, you will always expect a night mare of traffic in the rush hours. Drivers in Kampala are used to the bump-to-bump drive, only the clever survive. The normal basics of driving cars that you learn in driving schools do not apply here in Uganda Kampala drive. You need to apply friendly gesture to have way ahead. Kampala being a small city with many cars, infrastructure is over used calling for potholes in the city. You will bump into a pothole unnoticed. Traffic lights at some points do not work and drivers will not follow them unless there are traffic policemen. It rilly gets messy in the evenings where everyone is rushing home. You really need patience in you if you decide on a self drive car hire in Uganda

Self drive cars and the rental agencies

Different car rental agencies in Uganda offer different cars for self drive. Some other companies restrict on the kind of vehicle they give for a self drive in Uganda. The most common vehicle most companies will offer you for the self drive car hire in Uganda is the SUV Rav4 a full time 4wheel that is perfect for a max of 4 persons with enough luggage space. The Prado land cruisers are also a common offer for self drive car rental in Uganda but a little expensive than the Suv Rav4s. Other vehicles are also available for hire and given out for self drive but are more sophisticated vehicles that are always given out with drivers. With these cars like the safari land cruisers, its more than just start-engage gear-accelerate and direct. Its more than just you behind the wheels reason most car rental agencies in Uganda will provide these cars with drivers and in any cases with breakdown, the drivers always have an immediate solutions.

Insurance

Insurance in Uganda is not mandatory, but insurance in car rental is a must. Many of the car rental agencies in Uganda comprehensively insure their vehicles inclusive of third party. Always make sure you ask about the insurance policy or read the policies on the websites under the terms and conditions page. However the car rental comprehensive insurance does not cover the medical, injuries inflicted on the parties or on you fall under medical insurance from your own company. Please make sure you have medical insurance just before you make up your mind on traveling to Uganda on a self drive car hire in Uganda.