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Sep

3

Motoring stories in Uganda & African Driving Tips

Filed Under Driving

This tale is from Ida Horner, who is the owner of Ethnic Supplies near Weybridge, Surrey. I must confess to not having given much thought to driving in African countries until I read this. Perhaps I need to collaborate with her and see if there are some more driving tips to share ;-)


To say that driving in Uganda is a challenge is an understatement of the century

Apart from the lack of discipline amongst the drivers, there are so many pot holes in the road that finding a road in the pot holes has become a game such as scrabble and the others. Our driver has got it down to a T, speaking of driving, it’s madness here a free for all, and if you drive in Kampala the capital city and survive then you need a medal!

Then there is the cost of petrol, around 97p per L that is, if it is indeed petrol that has gone into your vehicle. Drivers are very worried about the cost of petrol as well as the fact that the man at the pump does not always sell you the correct amount that you have purchased and sometimes you are sold anything other than petrol. Apparently Shell filling stations are the worst culprits for this sort of thing so they are avoided at costs.

I wonder whether the folk at Shell international are aware of this? I am not quite sure how this is done but I accept that this is possible as a pump attendant fills your car whilst you wait and have no control over the process.

I am off to the slums of Kampala to meet one of our groups that weave mats out of palm leaves as a way of supporting themselves financially. This is a group of women that have been thrown out of their homes because of HIV/AIDs. I have a feeling I am going to need a large box of tissues

Motoring stories in Uganda

So, planning on driving in Africa? Here are some tips that I picked up from driving in South Africa.

1. Some African countries require you to have an International Driving Licence - check the requirements with the embassy in the UK, or the car hire company before you leave the UK.

2. If at all possible avoid driving at night. It can be very dangerous in Africa. Roads can be poorly lit, in bad condition and it’s common for other drivers to drive without their lights on.

3. Beware of the Cow or Sheep. In many countries, and particularly in rural areas, roads are poorly maintained, it’s fairly common to come across domestic animals such as sheep and cattle.

4. Africa is immense. Drunk drivers are not uncommon and be very watchful for drunk pedestrians. Police are scarce.

5. Laws vary from country to country in Africa, some countries require you to always carry hazard triangles, have reflectors (a white sticker on your bumper), wear seat belts etc, whilst others do not. Ensure you know all the legal requirements for driving a vehicle in the country you are travelling to.

6. When travelling through Africa it almost a certainty that you will come across a road block. If you do not abide by the laws of the country, then sure enough and you will be fined - this can be costly! Ignorance is no defence in the eyes of the law, just like the UK.

7. If stopped at a roadblock, be courteous and responsive to questions asked by persons in authority.

8. In areas of instability and unrest avoid travelling at night.

9. Ensure that your passport is stamped when crossing borders, if not, then you will have a huge problem when you come to leave the country.

10. If you are stopped at night, turn on the interior light of your vehicle. Make sure that the person you are dealing with is an official and ask them for their identity card. If they cannot provide it - do not pay any fines - ask to be taken to the local police station.

Let me know how you get on, when driving anywhere new can take a little time to get used to the environment.

For more information about Ethnic Supplies and Let them help themselves out of poverty please click the links, Ida and her team work very hard to help the women of Africa maintain their independence.

Regards

Kevin

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