Whenever you visit a new country, you need to be aware of the things you are and not allowed to do. It is imperative that you respect a country’s culture when you visit it so that you do not offend or upset any of the locals. You may come across many differences of traditions and habits, but in a way, that is the beauty of traveling the world.
When you go to Uganda, the rule of learning about their culture still applies. The pearl of Africa that is Uganda is a beautiful place to visit, and their culture is fascinating. However, things that may be entirely normal in your country are not allowed in other countries. Below you will find a list of things that you should keep in mind when you get there.
Do not talk about a woman’s pregnancy – while in western countries pregnancy is a topic of conversation in which people express their joy and experiences, in Uganda that is not something you want to do. That is because in Uganda the rate of deaths among children who are still unborn is high. A woman in Uganda will have mixed feeling about her pregnancy, which is why it is considered disrespectful to talk about it. The best course of action is to pretend that you do not notice the pregnancy and never bring it up. Talk to a pregnant woman as you would with one that is not.
Keep things personal…personal – Ugandan people are private about their lives, which is why you should be the same. You cannot ask someone about their private lives since they will regard it as impolite. However, if you get close to that person, the level of intimacy will grow, and you will be able to find out things that are otherwise considered private. Basically, you need to become friends with someone before them revealing information about their personal life. How do you become friends with someone you cannot ask personal questions? Talk about trivial things. Give them a chance to become familiar.
Do not talk about relationships – in the western world, you are free to ask someone if they are involved and with whom. In Uganda, that is construed differently. There can be many misconceptions, and you should avoid asking questions about someone’s relationship with the opposite sex. You may notice that some people are married, but never ask someone that you think is single if he or she has a partner. You do not want to put yourself in a difficult situation, do you?
Say no to PDA –if you travel to Uganda with your partner, you should never display your affection in public. Ugandan people do not do that, and they may give you some ugly glances if they see you do it. You should refrain from kissing and hugging in public. Even holding hands is frown upon. However, if you want to get on a good start, you should obey that rule. It should not be that hard. Keep your sign of affection for your hotel room.
Do not sanitize your hands in front of Ugandan people – before you eat, of course, you will want to clean up your hands. You can do that in the bathroom, and if there is no washing room available, you will use hand sanitizer. However, do not do that at the table in front of Ugandan people. They will think you consider them unclean. It may sound ridiculous to you, but they seem to be taking it seriously. Clean your hands so that they cannot see you.
There is a prayer before meals – the Ugandan people are religious, and they will pray before every single meal. You are required to do the same if you want to be considered polite. Even if you are an atheist or of another religion, you should still keep your head down while the Ugandan are praying. It is a small concession for a lovely meal, don’t you think? Plus, it is a sign of respect.
Children do not talk at the table – while in the western civilization the meal time is used as an opportunity to share information, in Uganda, children do not speak at the dinner table unless they are asked to answer a specific question. It is impolite for them to speak. Often tourists who go to Uganda think that children are just quiet, but in reality, they are not allowed to talk.
Decline the chair – the Ugandan people are very aware that you are from a different culture, and during any meal, they will offer you a chair while they sit on a mat. As a sign of respect, you should decline the chair and take a seat on a mat just like they do. It is considered a polite gesture, and you will be appreciated for it.
You may get a kiss when greeted – greetings differ in Uganda, depending on the situation and the genders present in a particular place. With a Ugandan woman, a handshake is more than enough contact, but a man will most likely kiss your cheek while shaking your hand. Do not get away and go with the flow. Do not refuse since you can be considered rude.
Mind the dress code – in Uganda, women must follow a certain dress code. As a tourist, you will not be asked to cover yourself entirely, but you should always wear skirts or shorts that cover your knees. You do not want people looking at you funny when you walk down the street, do you?
The list can go on for a bit more, but the dos and don’ts above should be enough to get an idea of how you must behave when you go to Uganda. As long as you follow these simple rules, you will feel welcomed by the people. The Ugandans are warm people who will make you feel at home if you show signs of respect for their culture and traditions.
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