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Do you want to travel to Uganda and are currently planning your trip? So you definitely should not miss our inside tips based on Interviews with Kaja from Enevra and Estelle from EduGlobe!

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Also, we created a                                    for you, that was approved by Enevra & EduGlobe.

Simply download it and check everything that you need! 

Administrative

For visa and entry requirements, check the website of the German embassy in Uganda, the general country information website of the German government and/or the Ugandan government's foreign tourist website. Costs for the visa are 50€. Additionally, it is recommended to register at ELEFAND the German Krisenvorsorgeliste.

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Credit card (to withdraw money at the ATM at the airport). At many airports, you can even use your EC card. Alternatively, take euro notes with you. Dollars are never a bad idea, but since the EU is getting better and better financially, they have not really been necessary for years, no matter which country. Only change officially (but it's expensive at the airport) and keep the receipt.

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Buy a SIM card at the airport; it can be cheaper in the city. Don't forget to buy volume.

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Organize hotels from Germany and use the hotel transfer service to and from the airport (unless you are going straight on or are being picked up by them).

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Insurance: Health insurance, travel cancellation insurance

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Health & Vaccination

Have enough drinking water at the airport or at the hotel at the latest and always carry a bottle in your daypack. You can buy water, boil some or use chlorine tablets.

 

Have your own first-aid kit - something against diarrhea, disinfectant bottles, mosquito spray (against the tiger mosquito, the Chinese stuff you can probably buy in Uganda is definitely better than Autan or Antibrumm), sun cream (buy it in Germany).

 

Depending on how you feel, when and where you eat out: If the food smells bad, if the cook or waitress has a dirty apron, if the food is not fully cooked if you don't have a good feeling - then leave it alone, there are plenty of alternatives and a healthy person can go 2 weeks without food (but not 2 days without water!). But again, it's the quantity that determines whether it's a poison, so you can always accept food offered by friends; if you don't like it or there's something wrong with it, then just eat only small amounts and say you don't feel well. In such countries, a face-saving excuse is accepted immediately.

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Vaccination

Step 1: Plan to get all vaccinations at least one month beforehand.

Step 2: Go to your local tropical institute or doctor and get a personalized recommendation for your vaccines (20-30€, insurance normally pays it, when you hand it in).

 

Common recommendations include: Yellow-fewer (compulsory), typhus, rebies/Tollwut, meningococcus/Meningokokken, Hepatitis A & B (insurance normally pays it, when you hand it in + 100€ doctors fee for vaccinating)

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Clothes and things

Long sleeves and trousers are helpful against mosquitoes and the sun (sunglasses).

 

The people in Uganda will love you for everything you distribute there. Tips are even expected. Foreigners usually pay more than locals. Gifts can be small things (promotional items like pens, caps and T-shirts, bags, even toys, with a discarded mobile phone you are the king). Ask if there's something that's in demand?

 

Important: when you ask customs in Uganda who you are bringing or giving it to, tell them that it is all your own stuff and that you are taking it back with you. This will not be checked when you leave the country unless you make a note of these things (such as the printer when it is discovered).

 

Don't buy new things in Germany, rather take the money with you to Uganda and buy food there. This makes more sense if it does not seem completely inappropriate for the person. It will be accepted in any case, no one will look at your askance for it.

 

Don't take the most expensive cameras, only those that serve their purpose.

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Safety

Trust your instincts. If someone stares at you and then looks away when you spot them, then something is wrong, close your backpack, put your mobile phone away and be alert. It's best not to keep anything in your back pockets and always travel in pairs, if only so that one of you can keep an eye on things while the other does something. Never forget that you are fabulously rich for Ugandans and it is difficult for them to see the normal person in you.

You will certainly be approached a lot and curiously questioned. So if there is someone who calmly tells you a story without curiosity or if you have the slightest feeling that his shop is just a pretext, then immediately keep your hands off him. A taxi driver who approaches you (instead of you approaching him) and promises you an extra cheap price is lying.

 

If transport has to be organized, it is better to do it through the hotel, they know all the prices and locations. Always have their business card and phone number with you. Policemen are the last people you should ask for anything, most of them are corrupt.

Note the emergency phone number of your bank, make backups and distribute photos on different drives and sticks to limit the consequences of damage or theft. It is best to carry your passport with you at all times.

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Language

Pro Tip: Learn a couple of words and sentences in Luganda. That is highly appreciated by the locals and not done by most foreigners.

 

Useful links:

- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ndecnk3tOgc

- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_0YZeJ0S_0

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Presents

Everything that has already been used can be gifted as good as new, given that most things in Ugandan shops are normally also already used.

 

Here is a short overview of possible presents: old mobile phones, puzzles, games, beer mugs [1], cosmetics, cremes, perfume, cuddly toys, cushions, sweets, food for a big German meal, t-shirts from your project and so much more! Try to make fitting gifts (for women, men, children).

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[1] They love beer!

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Costs

A rough estimate of costs: 

  • Travel: mostly flight (+ possibly travel cancellation insurance) + possibly train

  • Hotel (only accommodation, meals are usually paid for by travelers)

  • Travel costs (project-related)

  • Vaccination, visa (50€), PCR tests, etc.

  • Material costs

  • Buffer for the unexpected

  • Food and other fun

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Flights

650€ both ways, each

EduGlobe: TUM without borders payed the flights for every TUM student

Double luggage for presents and EduGlobe material

 

Useful links:

Kleidung.jpg
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During your stay

How to update the team?

  • Regular report to team Germany

  • Also, report problems/errors

  • Possibly also blog

 

Social media:

  • Stories from travelers

  • Other contributions (possibly university-Insta takeover)

  • by a person in Germany

  • Think about contacting ways for locals, apart from your phone number. I.e. a Facebook group or page. What´s App is used frequently but will get you a lot of messages.

 

Paying attention to travelers' wellbeing:

  • Physical & mental health

  • Looking out for each other

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Evaluation

Write a report (for Enactus, UP!, your donors) about

  • Travel period & participants

  • Destinations

  • Preparation

  • What did we do on-site?

  • Conclusion

  • Outlook

 

Evaluate results

  • Define milestones, possibly in a workshop facilitated by OPL

  • If necessary, feedback to donors and other stakeholders

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