Uganda FAQs

Disclaimer:The information given in this FAQ's page is generic. You should verify critical information such as visa-related issues, health and safety, customs and transportation with the relevant authorities prior to traveling. Please be aware that information given in FAQ's may change at any time. In effect, we accept no responsibility for any loss, injury or inconvenience sustained by anyone resulting from this information. For the latest updates, please contact us or our in-country coordinator(s).

General Information

The founder of RCDP has been involved in volunteer abroad business for the last 10 years. During this time, he has worked with more than 2000 volunteers and more than 200 universities, colleges, and schools groups.

Working with inspiring college students and humanitarian volunteers was very motivating as well as very enjoyable and presented many exciting learning opportunities. This experience encouraged him to start his own volunteer abroad program where affordable prices, premium programs and meaningful contributions to deprived communities would become the key components of the programs.

With this in mind, while setting up volunteer and travel abroad organization, we have selected many safe and culturally rich destinations where volunteers can make meaningful contributions, immerse in local culture, and get enriched from volunteer abroad experience. In each destination, we have carefully selected projects, host families, travel coordinating staff, and placed local support staff. We have provided them with extensive training to manage the program with professional services that will be delivered with care and respect for all volunteers. We are now proud of our coordinators, host families, host projects, and staff as all of them have at least 4 years of working experience with international volunteers. To meet your expectation, they are committed to working hard to meet your expectations, delivering professional services, and turn your volunteer abroad experience into a memorable journey.

In Uganda, we operate out of Jinja. From there, we look after our volunteers during their entire stay in Uganda. Our volunteer programs are available in Jinja, Entebbe and Kampala.

Information on Application

Starting application

There are two options available to those applying for volunteer positions in the Argentina programs:

After submitting application

Once RCDP receives your application, it will immediately be forwarded to Uganda for processing. Our Uganda In-Country coordinator will then carefully review your application to ensure you get placed in the project that matches your criteria and your qualifications.

Duration of the application process

Once our Uganda In-Country coordinator finalizes and forwards us the detail, we will immediately send it to you. The whole process normally takes 1-2 weeks. However, this can sometimes take longer.

You will also find an invoice requesting you to pay the program fee along with the placement details.

Preparation

Once you receive the placement details, you can even call our Uganda office directly and speak to our In-Country coordinator and ask any questions you might have that will help prepare you for the trip.

Preparation for a Uganda trip includes: reading about Uganda, vaccination, visa arrangement, booking tickets. If you experience ANY problems, please call RCDP office.

Once you purchase air tickets, they should immediately submit the flight details to BOTH RCDP and Uganda office.

Information on Airport and Arrival

Please arrive at Entebbe International Airport, Uganda.

One of our representatives will be waiting for you in the arrival lounge holding a placard with your name written on it. This will happen without fail provided if you have passed on your travel itinerary to our office. If you want to be absolutely sure, you can call to our Uganda office and talk to our In-Country coordinator.

Flight Delayed or Missed

If your flight gets delayed or if you miss your flight and book yourself on a later flight, please let us know immediately by either calling our office. You must try to call first and then email the details if possible. Look at your placement details for all the contract information.

If you can not make any contact and no one receives you at the airport, look at your placement details, hire a prepaid taxi and go to the recommended hotels.

Let the In-Country coordinator know your whereabouts after your arrive at the hotel or the next day. The coordinator will arrange a pick up for you.

Arrival Day

Volunteers coming to Uganda are recommended to arrive one day before the start of the program. If volunteers arrive more than one day earlier or remain after the close of their program, they will be responsible for providing their own accommodation and meal.

Information on Visa

We strongly recommend the volunteers to obtain a Ugandan tourist visa prior to arrival in the country, though you can get a tourist visa upon arrival. This will save you time and will you avoid the hassle of having to fill out forms, wait in a long queue at the airport.
Please do not apply for any other visa (e.g. working visa) except tourist visa. When applying for your visa, please use the name and address of our in-country coordinator and office as a contact address in Uganda. Please visit the link below to find out where Ugandan Embassy is situation in your home country. Form more detail, please visit the Embassy web site http://www.Ugandaembassy.com

Information on Health and Safety

Please visit the websites mentioned below read careful and be informed. This is very important.

General Health Tips for Volunteer in Uganda

Information on Vaccinations

Please visit Center for Disease Control's website (www.cdc.gov) for traveler's health recommendations. Your travel doctor will be knowledgeable about current epidemics and should be consulted.

Recommended Vaccinations and Preventive Medications

The following vaccines may be recommended for your travel to Africa including Kenya. Discuss your travel plans and personal health with a health-care provider to determine which vaccines you will need.

Required Vaccinations

Information on Monetary Issues

Currency

Ugandan currency is “Uganda Shillings (UGX).”

Exchanging

Dollars can be changed at the exchange counters inside the airport. Many businesses accept dollars at the current exchange rate.

ATM/Debit Card/Debit Card/Travelers Checks

ATM machines are available at various regions throughout Uganda, especially at Kampala and the airport.

Do not arrive at Uganda without any cash as ATM machines sometimes won’t be working or fail to accept your card. Check with your bank to confirm that your card will work overseas. Debit cards and credit cards are acceptable at major stores. Travelers' checks are exchanged at the banks. In most locations, you won’t be able to exchange them. Debit card is the best way of getting money out and ATM vendors are available in Kampala. Visa, MasterCard and American Express are accepted in large stores and hotels in larger cities.

Credit card fraud is a big problem in Uganda. Do not use your cards at any smaller or non-reputable locations.

Budget

You can get by with $10 a day provided you don’t spend much. Accommodation and meal during your project is free but if you want to explore Uganda and shop, budget accordingly.

Information on Field Support and Supervision

We keep in touch with our volunteers. Our staffs visit volunteers every 2 weeks. You are encouraged to contact our office if you want to speak with us on anything. You can also visit us. You will be provided with all the contact information.

Information on Communicating

Internet cafes can be found at Kampala, Entebbe and Jinja and the cost of surfing the web is around $1/hour. You can also call home from international phone cards. For local phone calls, do not use international call cards.

Contact RCDP office whenever you like if you want to discuss a problem. We are there to help you and make your stay a pleasant and a rewarding one.

Information on Climate

Uganda experiences the hottest temperature from February to March.

From July to August, temperature cools down. For more, visit:

Information on Materials to Bring

Information on Bringing Gifts for Project

It will be a nice gesture if you bring items like books, pencils, color pens, toys and games, especially if you are volunteering in schools and orphanages.

You can also bring things like chocolates, CD, T-Shirts to the host family.