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Your Complete Guide to Entebbe Airport

Discover Uganda’s Natural Wonders

Travel Guide

Arriving in Uganda: What to Expect

Landing at Entebbe International Airport marks the beginning of your Ugandan adventure. The airport is currently undergoing major renovations, so expect some construction activity around the facility. From the moment your plane touches down to walking out the exit doors, plan for anywhere between 30 minutes (if you’re lucky with no checked bags and short lines) to 1.5 hours during busier periods.

Armed security personnel are normal – don’t be alarmed.

Airlines won’t even let you board without the e-visa approval letter, so ensure you have this printed before traveling to Uganda.

Step-by-Step Arrival Process

1. Health Checkpoint

After leaving your aircraft, you’ll pass through a health screening area where officials may ask to see your yellow fever certificate. This happens sometimes, so have it ready.

2. Immigration Control

Show your documents to airport staff who will direct you to the correct queue. The e-visa queues on the left are actually slower than the queues on the right, which are for foreign residents, East African nationals, multiple entry visa holders, and Ugandan citizens. Don’t worry about choosing wrong – staff will guide you based on your documents. When it’s your turn, hand over your passport and printed e-visa approval letter. The immigration officer will:

• Take your photograph (smile – this goes on your visa!)
• Collect your fingerprints
• Print your entry visa while you wait

The whole process typically takes 5-10 minutes. Immigration officers are generally friendly and appreciate a bit of conversation while they process your documents. When this is done – welcome to Uganda!

3. Baggage Claim

If you have checked luggage, head to the baggage carousel. Fair warning: this step can add 45 minutes to your airport experience, especially during peak arrival times. I prefer to travel with carry-on baggage only, it’s just quicker and easier to handle…

4. Customs Screening

Everyone passes through customs, where your bags may be X-rayed. You can bring personal items worth up to US$500, standard duty-free alcohol and tobacco allowances, and up to 500mL of perfume. Items you cannot bring include narcotics, pornographic materials and counterfeit goods.

If you’re carrying a drone, have your pre-registration paperwork ready – without it, your drone might be confiscated until your departure.

5. New Arrivals Hall Services

Before exiting, you’ll pass through the new arrivals hall – your last chance to use free Airport WiFi. Here you can:

• Buy SIM cards (MTN or Airtel are present with their shops)
• Withdraw cash from ATM machines
• Exchange money at forex bureaus
• Use clean restrooms
• Visit the Association of Uganda Tour Operators office if you need help

6. Meeting Your Driver

Once you exit those final doors, there’s no going back – visitors aren’t allowed inside. You’ll see a crowd of people holding signs with names and hotel logos. Look for your name or your hotel’s name on a sign. Rental cars are brought to the airport by a driver, agree upfront how you meet and find each other.

Can’t Find Your Driver? Don’t worry. Ugandans are helpful and most speak good English. Other drivers and airport staff are also available to assist.

After connecting with your driver, they’ll need to pay for parking before you can leave the airport grounds. And once you’re on the airport road, your Ugandan adventure has begun!

Departing from Entebbe: The Reverse Journey

Timing Your Departure

Arrive at the airport 3 hours before international flights. Uganda’s departure procedures are thorough and can’t be rushed.

The Departure Process

1. Airport Road Security

Before you even reach the terminal, there’s a security checkpoint on the airport access road. Both you and your driver will be screened, and the vehicle inspected. You may need to get out and walk through security.

2. Terminal Entry

This is where you’ll say goodbye to anyone seeing you off. Show your passport and ticket to enter the restricted area – only ticketed passengers go beyond this point.

3. Baggage Screening

Aviation security staff will screen your checked luggage before you can proceed to check-in.

4. Document Verification

Airline staff will verify your passport at the entrance of the departure hall and stamp it for check-in authorization. Have your destination visa ready if required, plus your yellow fever certificate for certain destinations.

5. Check-in

Standard airline procedures – show your documentation, get your boarding pass, drop off checked bags, and receive baggage claim tickets.

6. Immigration

Present your passport for an exit stamp and show your boarding pass. The immigration officer will stamp your passport to officially record your departure.

7. Final Security Check

Your last security screening directly after the immigration checkpoint. This is the most thorough security check.

They will ask you to take off your shoes.

Any prohibited items will be confiscated here. If family members are still at the airport, confiscated items might be returned to them.

8. Boarding Gate

Arrive at your gate at least 20 minutes before departure. Gates typically close 15 minutes before the scheduled departure time.