Uganda Studies Program

• Make sure your phone is unlocked! Check with your network provider (Verizon, T-Mobile, etc) to see if your phone is “unlocked.” Without this, you won’t be able to connect to the Ugandan cell service providers when you get there, and it’s much easier to go through the “unlocking” process while in the US. 

• Download WhatsApp. It is the messaging app that is used by almost all Ugandans to communicate, and it will allow you to stay connected with family and friends back at home. 

• Contact your bank and let them know that you will be living in Uganda for four months. If you are able to, give them the exact dates you will be in the country and anywhere you have flight layovers. If your bank knows that transactions in Uganda are from you, they are less likely to consider them potential fraud. 

• Medical: Make sure you get your Yellow Fever and Typhoid vaccines, and get a prescription for malaria pills that will last the entire length of your semester abroad.

• Download some playlists, podcasts, or movies for the plane, airport, and first few days on campus. Wifi access is not guaranteed immediately after you land, so it will be helpful to have a few downloaded options!

Random but helpful things:

• Seasoning & protein!

• Extension/multi-outlet cord for type-G outlets 

  • This is by no means required, but extremely helpful when multiple people need to charge, but there’s only one outlet (picture)

• Travel soap sheets or pump soap for latrines

• Shower shoes

  • Can be bought while in Mukono, but it can be nice to have them in those first few days

• Small notebook or journal

• Scissors

• Masking tape

• Head lamp

  • These will be so helpful during rural homestays!

• Portable fan - best if battery-operated

• Extra Ziploc bags to put liquids in when traveling back home

Females:

• • Dress code:

    • Blouses

    • Plain t-shirts in multiple colors

    • Dress pants or slacks

    • Skirts (below the knee)

    • Dresses (below the knee)

    • A blazer

    • Dress sandals

    • Birkenstocks

  • Dress casual:

    • Tank tops

    • Graphic tees

    • Light/thin sweat pants

    • Capris

    • Shorts (below the knee)

    • Rain Jacket

    • Tennis shoes

    • Hiking shoes (Tevas, Keens, Chacos, etc)

Males:

• • Dress code:

    • Button-up shirts

    • Polo shirts

    • Dress slacks or khakis

    • Dress shoes

  • Dress casual:

    • Tank tops

    • Graphic tees

    • Light/thin sweat pants

    • Capris

    • Shorts (below the knee)

    • Rain Jacket

    • Tennis shoes

    • Hiking shoes (Tevas, Keens, Chacos, etc)

*The key to making lots of outfits from only a few clothes is packing versatile items. Pack shirts that can match with muliple skirts or pants so that your options for outfit combinations are endless!

Included Excursions:

• Kapchorwa or Serrere & Sipi Falls

  • Stay with a family in the rural areas of the mountains in Eastern Uganda

  • Hike the mountain and visit Sipi Falls with classmates and staff to finish off the rural trip!

• Gulu & Murchison Falls National Park

  • Visit non-profit organizations and hear from Ugandans making a difference in Northern Uganda

  • Go on a safari and potentially visit Murchison Falls on the way back from Gulu!

• Entebbe

  • Debrief the semester and possibly visit the zoo, the beach, or the pool!

Independent Travel Recommendations:

• Kampala

  • Take a taxi or private hire to the capital city of Uganda!

  • Visit restaurants and malls that have a variety of "American" products to remind you of home

  • Walk through the craft markets and find beautiful souvenirs for yourself and your family back home!

• Jinja

  • Travel as a cohort to the source of the Nile River!

  • Participate in a sunset river cruise along the Nile with wonderful food and beautiful views!

• Americans eat a lot more protein than most of the world, so shelf-stable protein options like packets of chicken, pork, or tuna are easy options and light for packing.

• Campus meals are always beans and rice, so bring seasonings to spice up your meals. Kinder’s and Dan-O’s are great brands, and taco seasoning, garlic salt, and Lawry’s seasoned salt are popular as well!

• Get ready to drink a lot of tea! Most Ugandans have tea or milk tea multiple times a day. Taking tea is one of the easiest ways to connect with people too!

• Most common foods: rice, beans, rolex, chapati, matoke, gnut sauce (made from gnuts/peanuts), cassava, and Irish (potatoes)

• Restaurants:

  • Rolex stands (literally everywhere)

  • Chips stands

  • Canopy Grill - chicken sandwiches

  • Touch of Class - brownies and all things bakery

  • Campus Icecream Stand - also has the best juice

  • Ebeneezer’s

  • CJ’s - “American” food

  • Gold Leaf - In Mukono town