Continued violence and disruption in Kampala and surrounding areas:

Kampala, Uganda September 11, 2009

The U.S. Mission in Uganda advises U.S. citizens that the violent demonstrations experienced in downtown Kampala and surrounding areas on September 10 are continuing today and possibly through the weekend. The demonstrations stem from political friction between the central government and the authorities of Buganda, a cultural kingdom in central Uganda.

U.S. citizens are advised to avoid downtown Kampala as well as surrounding neighborhoods including, but not limited to Kampala Road, Natete Road, Rubaga Road, Hoima Road, Bomba Road, Wandegeya, Hotel Ecuador, Clock Tower, and Kabuye Circle.  U.S. citizens should avoid large crowds of people anywhere in the city or in central Uganda, including Kayunga District, as protests can materialize quickly and become violent. The U.S. Peace Corps has temporarily withdrawn its Volunteers from Kayunga District.

U.S. citizens should consider sheltering in safe locations and avoiding all non-essential travel until the unrest subsides.

The Kampala-Entebbe road connecting the Entebbe International Airport and Kampala was closed several times yesterday and it is expected this will continue to occur today and through the weekend.

U.S. citizens with questions or concerns may telephone the Consular Section of the U.S. Mission in Kampala at (256) (0) (414) 306 001 or (256) (0) (414) 259 791.  In the case of an emergency outside business hours, or during any suspension of public services, U.S. citizens may reach the U.S. Mission duty officer at the same numbers.

U.S. citizens are advised to register and update their contact information with the U.S. Mission in Kampala.  The U.S. Embassy is located at Plot 1577 Ggaba Road.  The phone number is (256) (0) (414) 306 001 or (256) (0) (414) 259 791, fax (256) (0) (414) 258 451, email: KampalaUSCitizen@state.gov, and U.S. Embassy Kampala website: http://kampala.usembassy.gov.

For the latest security information, citizens living or traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs internet website at: http://travel.state.gov/, where the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Alerts, Travel Warnings, and Country Specific Information can be found.  Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S. and Canada, or, for callers outside the U.S. and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.  These numbers are available from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. Federal Holidays)