Warden Message - Security Notice

Kampala, Uganda November 23, 2009

This notice is being sent to address the serious dangers associated with the use of public transportation in Uganda, specifically motorcycles for hire, commonly known as “boda bodas”.  

Boda bodas are inherently dangerous at all hours of the day given the combination in Uganda of poor roads, poorly maintained vehicles, and erratic driving behavior.  Boda boda customers and drivers are frequent victims of serious auto accidents.  As a result, the Chief of Mission discourages their use by American citizens even in daylight hours. 

Additionally, in the past two weeks, there have been two serious late-night attacks on private American citizens by boda boda operators.  According to reports, one or more boda boda operators were “staged” at the same bar/restaurant in the Kisementi area of Kampala waiting to pick up passengers.  In both attacks, the boda boda operators then took the female victims to secluded areas to sexually assault them.  RSO Kampala is actively assisting the Ugandan Police to identify and bring to justice these perpetrators. 

Effective immediately, due to the inherent danger and general criminal activity associated with riding boda bodas, U.S. Mission employees under Chief of Mission authority and their dependents are prohibited from riding boda-bodas after dark. 

Additionally, U.S. citizens and their dependents should avoid arriving and departing alone from bars and restaurants anywhere in Kampala after dark.  The two attacks reported above targeted females who were traveling alone after leaving bar/restaurants in the early morning hours.

RSO would like to remind the U.S. community that Kampala is a critical crime threat Post.  It is imperative that American citizens use heightened security measures to avoid being victims of crime.  Some of these countermeasures include not going out alone, avoiding poorly lit areas, consuming alcohol only in moderation, and having a solid plan to arrive home safely.  It is especially important to remain “situationally aware” when consuming alcohol given past reports of drinks being “spiked” in order to induce unconsciousness as part of premeditated sexual assault or other criminal acts.  Research indicates that the chances of being the victim of crime increase exponentially during evening hours. 

U.S. citizens with questions or concerns may telephone the Consular Section of the U.S. Mission to Uganda at (256) (0) (414) 306 001 or (256) (0) (414) 259 791.  In 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 to Uganda.  The U.S. Mission 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 travel registration website: https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/. 

For the latest security information, U.S. 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).