Uganda 2020 OSAC Crime & Safety Report
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Uganda 2020 OSAC Crime & Safety Report This is an annual report produced in conjunction with the Regional Security Office at the U.S. Embassy in Kampala. OSAC encourages travelers to use this report to gain baseline knowledge of security conditions in Uganda. For more in-depth information, review OSAC’s Uganda country page for original OSAC reporting, consular messages, and contact information, some of which may be available only to private- sector representatives with an OSAC password. Travel Advisory The current U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory at the date of this report’s publication assesses Uganda at Level 2, indicating travelers should exercise increased caution due to crime and kidnapping. Review OSAC’s report, Understanding the Consular Travel Advisory System. Overall Crime and Safety Situation Crime Threats The U.S. Department of State has assessed Kampala as being a CRITICAL-threat location for crime directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests. Crime continues to present a serious risk for those visiting or residing in Uganda. Throughout 2019, the U.S. Embassy continued to track reports of crimes against organizations and expatriates, including U.S. citizens. In Kampala, criminals regularly target the residences of expatriates and wealthy Ugandans for burglary. Often, authorities implicate domestic staff or hired security guards in these crimes. The Embassy recommends that persons staying in private residences use multiple methods of redundant security (e.g. security guards, alarms, locks) to secure residences against burglary. Criminals in Kampala also often target personal possessions, employing three main tactics: surreptitious removal (i.e. pickpocketing), snatch-and-grab, and violent robbery. Surreptitious: Individuals in public venues (e.g. restaurants, hotels, shopping malls) regularly report incidents in which they left their bags unattended for short periods only to discover upon return that unknown persons had taken valuable items (e.g. wallet, cellphone). Valuables have also been reported stolen from bags hanging off the backs of chairs at crowded tables (even while diners are present). Travelers on public transportation have reported placing their bags under their seat, later discovering that valuable items disappeared. Maintain positive control of all valuables while in public. Snatch-and-grab: Criminals on foot and on motorcycles (known locally as “boda bodas”) regularly target high-traffic roads westerners frequent to steal handbags and backpacks. Pedestrians in Uganda should avoid roads without sidewalks where vehicles (and motorcycles) must pass dangerously close to pedestrians. In addition, pedestrians should walk on the side of the road where they face oncoming traffic, and consider how they carry handbags and backpacks to minimize the vulnerability from theft. If possible, minimize the cash and valuables you carry. Review OSAC’s reports, All That You Should Leave Behind. Violent robbery: Most violent robberies in Kampala target individuals or small groups walking alone in isolated areas after dark. The Embassy generally recommends traveling in groups and using a private vehicle or a privately contracted driver to move around the city, especially after dark. While violent robberies have also occurred in daylight hours, other crimes are much more common at those times. Uganda 2020 OSAC Crime & Safety Report Outside of Kampala, in addition to the threat of property crime, organized gangs (sometimes known as “iron bar gangs”) periodically rob and extort businesses, residents, and visitors. Occasionally, these gangs have blocked major roads late at night to attack passing vehicles. These gangs have also been known to commit sexual violence against their victims. Never leave food and drinks unattended in public. Women have reported being drugged and taken to another location for sexual assault. Criminals use similar tactics to rob individuals on public transportation. Remain with a group of friends in public, as single individuals are more likely targets. Victims of sexual assault should seek medical assistance and counseling immediately regarding prophylactic treatment to help prevent the transmission of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. In 2015, the U.S. Embassy lifted its restrictions on travel to the Karamoja region. Travel throughout Karamoja nonetheless remains somewhat hazardous due to poor road conditions, lengthy police response times, and the lack of emergency medical services. In addition, Karamoja continues to experience sporadic incidents of local violence and mob justice. Travelers to Karamoja should identify nearby police stations and medical facilities, and use a four-wheel drive vehicle with a well-stocked emergency kit, food, extra gasoline, and water. Authorities police Uganda’s extensive and porous borders inadequately, allowing for illicit trade and unregulated immigration. Rebel groups operate freely in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), posing a potential risk along Uganda’s western border, while the northern border with South Sudan is similarly porous, with a very limited security presence. Exercise caution when traveling to the borders with the DRC and South Sudan. Events in each of these countries have resulted in an increase of refugees into Uganda as well as an increase in criminal activity. The remoteness of the border with Kenya makes it difficult to police, although main roads and border crossings generally have a consistent police presence. The Embassy received numerous reports from visitors reporting property stolen from their hotel rooms. Although all hotels are at risk, it appears the risk is greater at smaller hotels outside of Kampala. In early 2019, the Embassy received multiple reports of armed groups attacking hotels at night in the town of Jinja, a popular getaway for expatriates located approximately 80 km from Kampala. During these incidents, the assailants assaulted and tied up guards, robbing and sometimes beating guests. Review OSAC’s reports, Hotels: The Inns and Outs and Considerations for Hotel Security. ATM and credit card skimming occurs regularly. Minimize the use of ATMs and credit cards. When necessary, only use ATMs at prominent bank branches, and credit cards at large hotels and other businesses that cater to international travelers. All businesses that accept credit cards can process EMV chips, and most can bring the machine to you, which helps to deter unauthorized charges. Review OSAC’s reports, The Overseas Traveler’s Guide to ATM Skimmers & Fraud and Taking Credit. Uganda 2020 OSAC Crime & Safety Report Cybersecurity Issues Cybersecurity continues to be a challenge in Uganda. The Ugandan government does not prioritize funding for cybersecurity infrastructure, and does not allocate sufficient funds to pay for solutions, even after identifying security breaches in sensitive government and financial systems. Some government agencies report that the security frameworks protecting their systems are at least five to ten years behind current security standards, and there is no urgency to update them. The problem is compounded by the fact that many Ugandan government officials view cybersecurity measures as optional, and the average Ugandan does not understand the importance of simple measures such as using passwords for secure or sensitive systems. One private-sector firm reported that even their most talented Ugandan recruits require months of intensive training in cybersecurity before they are ready to contribute to the company’s software products. While there are officials in both the public and private sector who proactively try to address Uganda’s cybersecurity shortfalls, they face an uphill battle. Review OSAC’s reports, Cybersecurity Basics, Best Practices for Maximizing Security on Public Wi-Fi, Traveling with Mobile Devices: Trends & Best Practices, and Satellite Phones: Critical or Contraband? Transportation-Safety Situation Road Safety and Road Conditions According to recent information from the World Health Organization (WHO), Uganda has the 21st highest rate in the world for road fatalities, at 29 deaths per 100,000 people. In total, the WHO estimated an annual 12,036 annual road deaths. The WHO judged the greatest risk of road death was for pedestrians (40% of all road deaths) and riders on motorized 2- and 3-wheeled vehicles (33%). Masaka Highway has been identified as one of the most dangerous roads in the world. Roads lack adequate maintenance, markings, and lighting. Other driving hazards include broken-down vehicles, pedestrians, drunk and/or fatigued drivers, stray animals, and overall poor roadway conditions. Drivers speed and behave unpredictably. Pedestrians and livestock commonly share the roadway, and commuter bus drivers ignore traffic laws. Many vehicles are not roadworthy or lack brake/ turn indicator lights. In market areas, vendors often take over the sidewalks and in some cases much of the roadway, forcing pedestrians into the streets. Driving at night is even more treacherous when the absence of illumination exacerbates other risk factors. The Embassy currently prohibits intercity driving (other than trips to Entebbe airport) by U.S. government employees during hours of darkness. Uganda 2020 OSAC Crime & Safety Report The Uganda Police Force implemented a safety campaign in 2016 after a series of fatal accidents on roadways, but the success of efforts to improve road safety has been minimal at best. Police attempt to enforce traffic laws, especially on the major intercity