Self-driving is one of the cheapest options to move around Uganda. You majorly hire a 4×4 Car from a reputable car rental company and get around the country on your own. The vehicle is delivered at your exact location.
You make the payment and use the car for a specified period of time. You get the experience to drive on Uganda’s roads. It is pocket friendly but it has some disadvantages you must know before you choose it. Below is the brief highlight.
Accidents & Penalties
Driving is always good, but very frustrating when you make an accident. You either lose your life or remain with injuries and it comes with an unexpected financial loss. Sometimes it can lead you into custody. It is similar while self-driving in Uganda. Keep it in mind that any time you can get an accident.
There are a lot of reckless and careless local drivers on most Ugandan roads especially those that start from Kampala to the upcountry. Those drivers of big cars like buses, trucks and trailers don’t mind about drivers of small cars. So you need to be very careful especially in the sharp corners.
Once you get an accident that include a head on collision or single vehicle rollover in a rented vehicle, you get penalties indicated in the agreement. The penalty for vehicle rollover is 2000 USD or more depending on the type of car. You add on the excess insurance. An accident that involves knocking other roads users require you to meet the hospital bills for injured people and repairs for the car or motorcycle knocked.
You even spend a lot of time at the police station try to sort out the issue and clearing all the cases noted. Going at a Ugandan police for an offence is something that is always irritating. Cars for hire in Uganda come with an insurance, it does not cover all especially when you have knocked a person or someone’s building. When there is an accident, be sure to make a statement at the nearby police station. When you run a way, it is a serious crime. They will trace for you. The first step by the security organs is to alert the border points plus the Entebbe Airport not to allow you move out of the country.
Moreover, coordinate with the company that rented out the vehicle to you and start the process of getting the car from the police station. You as well close the case such that you fly out of the country when you are crime free.
For those who get an accident at the start or middle of the trip, if you need to proceed with the road trip, you are provided another car with a local driver. You have to pay an extra fee for driver facilitation every day.
Car break down
Car break down is a normal thing everywhere. So, rent the car in Uganda knowing that it can break or stop to work any time. Once it breaks down, you have to notify the field support team to come and rescue you on the road.
The field operator of the company usually contacts the nearby mechanic to come and fix the issue. After the repairs, you continue with your journey. If the car is not easy to repair in a short time, they will bring for you another car in 24 hours. It is the company to pay for the repair costs.
Driving time limitation
While in Uganda for self-drive, you are allowed to drive only during day time. There is no driving at night. The vehicle must start at 6:00 AM and end at 7:00 PM. The reason why they don’t allow night driving is that the car can break down when there is no any person to give you help.
As you know at night people be sleeping and some phones are switched off. Some places in Uganda are also not safe at night. Local people also drive at night when they are drunk and over speed. So, they can lead you to make mistakes along the road.
Getting lost
Tourists mostly use Google maps on the phone to drive around in a foreign country like Uganda. The bad side is that some roads in this nation are not updated on the Google maps. Sometimes the maps can take you to a wrong direction or even fail to show you where to go. This is a major problem especially when you go deep in the villages.
Strict Traffic rules
Traffic rules in Uganda don’t allow you to drive if you don’t have a valid driving license, no over speeding. When you drink, you are not allowed to drive. No over loading. Keep all that in your mind before you drive a car on Ugandan roads. Moreover, you have to follow the traffic lights. When you violate them, expect to get traffic penalties. There is always traffic officers along the highways who stop and arrest those violating the rules. You are responsible for any traffic ticket you get and you are required to clear it before you leave the country.
If you don’t want to get any disturbances on your trip in Uganda, it is better you hire a car with a driver. You enjoy the ride as you get some good information about Uganda. All drivers are informed about the country and do speak good English. You not only enjoy the ride, but also set yourself free from the possibilities of causing accidents or damages on the vehicle. Once you are with the driver, he is responsible to look after the vehicle.
