Ripon Falls (Source of the Nile)
The place where the Nile leaves Lake Victoria, once marked by a waterfall that dam construction later covered. A memorial and viewpoint near Jinja recall its importance in exploration history.
Jinja
Jinja stands where the Nile begins, and sunset river cruises, white-water rafting, bungee jumping and kayaking are popular there.
Attractive locations
Mabira Forest
A large forest reserve between Kampala and Jinja, with walking trails, birdlife, monkeys and butterflies, popular as a green break on the main road.
Bujagali Falls
The site of former rapids on the Nile near Jinja, now partly beneath a reservoir. The surrounding area remains a base for rafting, kayaking and riverside relaxing.
Jinja Town
Uganda's adventure hub on the shore of Lake Victoria, near the start of the Nile. It has colonial-era streets and a lakeside setting, and is the base for rafting, kayaking and boat trips.
Itanda Falls
A large set of rapids on the Nile below Jinja, and one of the best-known white-water rafting stretches on the river.
Airports
Entebbe International Airport EBB
It is about 95 km in a straight line from Jinja.
Scams and safe taxis
Weather by month
Each month shows its average temperature in °C and its mm of rain per month.
- Jan24.0 °C76 mm
- Feb24.7 °C71 mm
- Mar24.2 °C162 mm
- Apr22.9 °C216 mm
- May22.2 °C162 mm
- Jun22.1 °C67 mm
- Jul22.2 °C59 mm
- Aug22.6 °C89 mm
- Sep22.9 °C119 mm
- Oct22.7 °C166 mm
- Nov22.5 °C183 mm
- Dec23.1 °C131 mm
Driest months: Feb, Jun, Jul. Wettest months: Apr, Oct, Nov.
Costs
Prices here are about 35% of US prices (World Bank, 2025). This compares a country's overall prices, not the cost of a trip.
Who can help
Emergency
999 or 112.
local government
Uganda Police Force (emergency 999 / 112)
Helps with: Uganda's national police. Its FAQ says to dial 999 or 112 in an emergency, and its headquarters lists two landline numbers and an email for general enquiries.
Who qualifies: Anyone in Uganda, including visitors, who needs police help.
Phone: 999
Email: [email protected]
local government
Tourism Police Zonal Commanders (Uganda Tourism Board)
Helps with: Police commanders who protect Uganda's tourism destinations and the safety of travellers. Anyone facing a problem can contact the commander for their region; numbers are in a PDF on the page.
Who qualifies: Travellers, tourism operators and communities facing a safety or security problem in Uganda's tourism areas.
local government
Uganda Tourism Board (UTB)
Helps with: Uganda's national tourism board. Its tourism police page gives a general office line and email, and points visitors to the regional tourism police commanders.
Who qualifies: Anyone visiting Uganda or planning a trip there.
Phone: +256-414-560-800
Email: [email protected]
ngo
Uganda Red Cross Society
Helps with: Uganda's national Red Cross society, with headquarters in Kampala. Its contacts page lists a toll-free line and separate numbers for first aid training and commercial ambulances.
Who qualifies: People in Uganda who need to reach the Red Cross, including for first aid training.
Phone: 0800 211 088
Email: [email protected]
Address: Plot 551/555 Rubaga Road, P.O. Box 494, Kampala
un agency
International Organization for Migration (IOM) Uganda
Helps with: The UN migration agency's country office in Kampala, with sub-offices at Nakivale, Kyangwali and Kyaka II. Contact it about migration matters in Uganda.
Who qualifies: Migrants and organisations working on migration. It is not a help service for ordinary tourists.
Phone: +256 31 2263210
Email: [email protected]
Address: Plot 6A Bukoto Crescent, Naguru, P.O. Box 11431, Kampala
embassy
Foreign embassies and high commissions in Uganda (official list)
Helps with: For a lost passport or serious trouble, contact your own country's embassy or high commission. The Ugandan foreign ministry attaches a diplomatic list (September 2022 edition) with contact details of missions.
Who qualifies: Citizens of each country, through their own embassy or high commission.
local government
Department of Disaster Preparedness and Management (Office of the Prime Minister)
Helps with: Uganda's national disaster management department, based at the Postel Building in Kampala. Its page on the prime minister's office site lists a toll-free line.
Who qualifies: Anyone in Uganda affected by a disaster or reporting one.
Phone: 0800 177 777
Address: Clement Hill Road, Postel Building, Kampala