Is it safe to drive around Uganda: Updated Travel Guide 2025

Is it safe to drive around Uganda: Discover everything you need to know about driving safely in Uganda. Learn about road conditions, from paved highways to rugged park tracks, and navigate updated 2024 traffic laws, including 30 km/h urban speed limits.

Get safety tips like avoiding night driving, choosing 4x4s for rural routes, and preparing for emergencies. Understand licensing, and vehicle requirements fines.

Driving in Uganda can be safe if you follow traffic laws, drive defensively, and prepare for varied road conditions. The country’s road network includes paved highways connecting major cities like Kampala, Entebbe, and Jinja, alongside gravel and dirt roads leading to rural areas and national parks.

However, challenges like potholes, unpredictable traffic, and limited enforcement can make driving demanding, especially for foreigners.

With proper planning, a reliable vehicle, and awareness of local practices, driving in Uganda is manageable and rewarding for exploring its wildlife and culture.

 Road Conditions in Uganda

Uganda’s road conditions vary significantly, impacting safety and vehicle choice:

• Paved Highways: Major routes like Kampala-Entebbe (40 km) and Kampala-Jinja are asphalt, generally well-maintained, but speed bumps and occasional potholes are common. These roads are safer but can be congested in urban areas.
• Gravel and Dirt Roads: Rural roads to national parks (e.g., Bwindi, Kidepo) are often unpaved, dusty in the dry season (June–October), and muddy during rains (April–May, November). These require 4×4 vehicles like Toyota Land Cruisers.
• National Parks: Tracks within parks like Queen Elizabeth are dirt, suitable for off-roading but challenging in wet conditions. Speeds are capped at 30–40 km/h for safety and wildlife protection.
• Challenges: Unmarked speed bumps near schools and villages, wildlife crossings, and reduced visibility due to dust or fog in dry seasons pose risks. Night driving is dangerous due to poor lighting and obstacles like animals or broken-down vehicles.

Traffic Laws and Recent Updates

Uganda’s traffic laws, governed by the Traffic and Road Safety Act, Cap. 361, aim to ensure safety but face enforcement challenges. Key regulations and recent updates include:

Speed Limits (Updated 2024)

• Urban Areas: 30 km/h (down from 50 km/h) in high-traffic zones like schools, markets, and cities (e.g., Kampala).
• Highways: 100 km/h on expressways, 90 km/h for cars on paved roads, 60 km/h for motorcycles.
• Gravel Roads: 30–60 km/h, depending on vehicle type.
• Penalties: Fines range from UGX 200,000 ($55) for exceeding limits by 1–30 km/h to UGX 600,000 ($165) for over 30 km/h. The Express Penalty Scheme (EPS) requires payment within 72 hours, with a 50% surcharge for delays.

Licensing and Vehicle Requirements

• Driver’s License: You need a valid driver’s license. Foreigners can use an International Driving Permit (IDP) or a home country license (in English or with notarized translation) for up to 90 days. Minimum driving age is 18, but car rentals require drivers to be 23+ with two years of experience.
• Vehicle Registration: All vehicles must be registered with the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) and display valid plates. Rental cars should have third-party insurance.

• Vehicle Condition: Vehicles must be roadworthy, with functional brakes, lights, and tires. Regular inspections are required, and unroadworthy vehicles face fines or impoundment.

Key Traffic Violations and Penalties

• Drunk Driving: Illegal, with a blood alcohol limit of 0.08% (proposed reduction to 0.05% for general drivers, 0.02% for novices, 0.00% for commercial drivers). Penalties include fines of UGX 300,000–2,000,000 ($80–$550) or up to three years imprisonment.
• Texting While Driving: Prohibited, with fines up to UGX 2,000,000 ($550) or one year imprisonment.
• Seat Belts and Helmets: Mandatory for drivers, passengers, and motorcyclists. Child restraints are not legally required but recommended. Non-compliance incurs fines of UGX 100,000–300,000 ($27–$80).

Recent Updates (2024–2025)

• The Traffic and Road Safety (Prescription of Speed Limits) Regulations, 2024, lowered urban speed limits to 30 km/h and introduced stricter fines via an automated EPS system.
• Enforcement began May 20, 2025, with concerns about missing signage and infrastructure gaps.
• Proposed amendments to the Traffic and Road Safety Act (2023) aim to replace “badge” with “professional driving permit” and streamline speed limit enforcement.

Safety Tips for Driving in Uganda

Driving safely in Uganda requires vigilance and preparation. Here are essential tips:

• Avoid Night Driving: Potholes, animals, and unlit vehicles make nighttime driving risky. Plan to arrive before sunset, using high beams cautiously to avoid blinding oncoming traffic.
• Drive Defensively: Minibus and bus drivers often overtake recklessly. Maintain a safe distance, especially from heavy vehicles with long braking distances.
• Vehicle Choice: Use a 4×4 (e.g., Toyota Land Cruiser, Hilux) for rural or park roads, especially in Kidepo or Karamoja, where RAV4s are unsuitable. Sedans suffice for city driving
• Vehicle Maintenance: Check tires, brakes, lights, and indicators before trips. Carry a jack, wheel spanner, warning triangle, and jerry can for fuel, as rural petrol stations are scarce.
• Emergency Preparedness: Carry a first aid kit, water, snacks, a charged phone with a local SIM, and emergency numbers (999 for police, 112 for medical). Response times may be slow outside cities.
• Traffic Police: Officers in white uniforms are common. Be polite, carry your license, rental agreement, and insurance documents. Pay fines via bank deposit, not cash, to avoid corruption.
• Urban Congestion: Kampala’s traffic jams require patience. Signal early and keep windows up to prevent petty theft.
• Wildlife and Pedestrians: Watch for animals in parks and pedestrians in rural areas, especially near schools or markets.

 Practical Considerations for Travelers

• International Driving Permit (IDP): Obtain an IDP if your license isn’t in English. Apply through your home country’s issuing authority.
• Car Rentals: Reputable agencies us @ Car Hire Uganda, offer insured 4x4s with 24/7 roadside assistance. Inform agencies of border crossings (Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda) for a COMESA card.
• Fuel and Cash: Fuel stations in rural areas may not accept cards. Carry Uganda Shillings (UGX) for fuel and tolls.
• Road Signs: Many rural roads lack signage, increasing reliance on GPS or local guides. Observe speed bumps and traffic signs where present.
• Hiring a Driver-Guide: For stress-free travel, hire a local driver ($40/day) who knows roads and customs.