Visit Uganda Today!

1. Be culturally sensitive
2. Maximize your time
3. Be well prepared
4. Maintain your personal health and safety

When you know the culture, you can be prepared physically and emotionally for differences in behavior, dress and conversation and it can help you avoid some of the uncomfortable feelings of culture shock. Please take the time to read through this guide for some helpful tips on your preparation for and actions during your trip to Uganda.

Introduction to the Ugandan Culture
Why be culturally sensitive? It is necessary for your welfare as a team member and for the Ugandans who will experience your influence long after you are gone.

• Outside of western culture, the world’s perception of westerners is derived from TV, news and movies. They have an incomplete picture. In Uganda, any light-skinned person is placed in this western category. Often times, this is the worst impression. For example, women are associated with pop idols; therefore, western women are thought to be promiscuous. You will be viewed by your host country based on their stereotype of westerners.
• Each action that you make to counter that stereotype improves the Ugandans’ view of you as a person and of westerners as a whole.
• Many times what you think is acceptable or beneficial is actually harmful to the Ugandan people and society.
• The work you are doing for the people of Uganda is for their physical or spiritual welfare. Money and gifts, which are things of immediate pleasure, do not necessarily give lasting satisfaction, relief or assistance.
• Ugandans need to see relief come from God through the church or organization, not the individual visitors. Whenever there is something which you feel led to do, please, before taking any action or making any promises, talk to a GDM representative for guidance on the best action with regards to Ugandan culture.

• Straight men holding hands or showing affection
• Body odor
• Women breastfeeding in public
• Physical friendliness – everybody shakes hands, sometimes for the entire duration of a conversation
• Lack of toilet facilities – often just a hole in the ground inside a shed

Taboo in Uganda:

• Conversation about pregnancy – miscarriages and the infant mortality rate are so high in Uganda that we don’t talk to a woman about her pregnancy.
• Conversations about relationships, particularly in the physical sense.
• Public displays of affection between men and women – these are embarrassing to all around. Keep it behind closed doors! This includes holding hands.
• Discussions about personal information with someone who is not a very close friend.
• Smoking and drinking – out in the bush there is no distinction between having a drink and being drunk, and smoking is simply looked down upon by everyone.
• Talking about boyfriends/girlfriends – do not say that you have a “boyfriend” or “girlfriend”. For some Ugandans this means that you have a physically-based relationship with someone. You may say that you are dating someone or in a relationship with someone.

Understanding the Ugandan Culture
Men and Women

When thinking of the roles of women and men in Uganda, imagine the US during the late 1800’s. Men are the leading figures in society and at home, usually raising the funds to support the family. Women are more home-based – raising children, tending gardens, and maintaining the home. When women work outside of the home, it is generally in teaching, nursing, housekeeping or secretarial positions.

Because men are the leading figures in the society, it is more common for men to be forward and willing to introduce themselves. Women tend to behave more modestly, seeming shy. They may not approach you or speak to you directly right away. This is not because they do not want to talk or meet you, so please take the time to introduce yourself to both men and women.

Children – the most blessed among us
Children are children no matter where you go. They smile, laugh, tell jokes and tease. Here in Uganda, they will yell to visitors, stare, ask for gifts and candy, ask for your address, come hold your hand, ask you “How are you?” a million times, and play with every string, gadget and piece of jewelry you have. Don’t be afraid to play with them and teach them new games and songs – they will teach you too.

Dress Code
What you wear says a lot about what you think about yourself and those you are visiting, so most of the time you should dress in a nice casual way. That is, wear something that you would wear to a moderately priced restaurant back home. For men, jeans are ok, for ladies a comfortable, relaxed knee-length or longer skirt and blouse. It is import to not dress in a way that shouts “money” or dress down in worn-out clothes that say “I pity you”. You should bring nicer clothes to wear in church and relaxed clothes for everyday wear. Most of all, do not dress in an immodest way. A good rule of thumb is not to wear anything that calls attention to any part of your body. This includes too much jewelry and dangle type earrings and necklaces (children will pull them). As a visitor in Uganda remember that you are representing an entire culture through your appearance and behavior. Whether you feel it is for westerners or Christians, be modest in your representation.

Again, MODESTY is the best policy


Women
Everyday wear should consist of dresses or skirts and blouses. If you participate in physical labor, loose-fitting long pants are acceptable. However, when the work that requires long pants is finished, please change back into a skirt or dress. This is necessary to show respect to the Ugandan culture where women almost always wear skirts. Shorts are NEVER acceptable beyond sleepwear. Some ideas are listed below:

Skirts/Dresses:

• Loose-fitting
• Length should be below the knees. Legs are very provocative in the Ugandan culture.
Keep yourself safe and don’t live up to the stereotype of Americans!
• Many fabrics can be sheer in the sunlight. If a skirt does show some light or is questionable, please wear a slip.
Shirts:
• Loose-fitting
• Must have sleeves
• Should be made of a breathable fabric to avoid heat exhaustion
• During the rainy season avoid white! We do not want to have a wet T-shirt contest!
• T-shirts are acceptable outside of church. If the shirt has writing on it, Christian messages are preferred to avoid cultural misconception through display on your clothing.

Pants:

• Loose-fitting
• Breathable fabric
• Loose-fitting
• Durable
• LOOSE-FITTING!!!

Men
Fortunately for men, the culture is much more relaxed in dress. Both pants and shorts are acceptable as well as any shirt with sleeves. Remember a few things:

• Keep clothing loose.
• T-shirts are acceptable outside of church. If the shirt has writing on it, Christian messages are preferred to avoid culture misconceptions through display on your clothing.
• Always wear a shirt! Although in many cultures it is acceptable for a man to be seen by a women when he is not wearing a shirt, it is not so in Uganda. It is extremely embarrassing for a man to be seen by a woman without shirt for both the man and woman. Physical labor is the only exception to this rule, where it is appropriate to have your shirt off.
Footwear for Men And Women
• Remember there are many parasites that would love to make a home in your skin.
• As often as possible wear closed-toed shoes.
• If you must wear sandals please, for your own safety, do not wear them in the bush. The danger of jiggers, ticks or other parasites is too high.

Money
The Ugandan currency is Uganda shillings. Visit http://www.oanda.com/convert/classic for the current exchange rate. You will get the best exchange rate with $50 and $100 bills. Please bring the newest bills possible, as the exchange bureau may not accept older bills. Make sure that bills are dated in the year 2000 or later.

Do’s And Don’ts
DO NOT:

• Give money to individuals, including children. Give to GDM and designate the funds.
• Give toys, candy or gifts to Ugandans. Instead, give love, hugs, smile, sing songs, etc.
• Sanitize your hands in front of Ugandans. Sanitize discretely, especially before eating.
• Give out your home address or personal email. Give your church or organization address or email.
• Promise to pay for a child’s school fees or sponsor a child.
• “Sponsor” a child before finalizing it with the GDM office.
Why all this precaution? Why the rules? Aren’t gifts good?

You would think so, but the problem with giving gifts, money, sweets, etc. teaches the Ugandans that:

• Begging is okay and generally brings success.
• If you need or want something, go to the individual visitor.
• Westerners have everything, and we have nothing. If you can afford to fly here, you are