DISCLAIMER My purpose is to save you time and effort in deciding what to take and where to find it. I suggest you consult your local stores to find the best price for the items you wish to carry with you. The items suggested are based on the collective personal experience of previous teams who have made numerous trips with ACTI. Even so, many of these recommendations are in fact purely a matter of personal opinion or preference.

Batteries
It is very helpful and contributes to economy of space and weight to have any battery powered units you take with you, (flashlight, Mp3, CD player, Walkman, etc) to all use either "AA" or "AAA" Alkaline batteries. These batteries are small, efficient, easy to pack and carry and can be purchased almost anywhere.

Rechargeable Electronic Items

The electrical supply in Uganda continues to improve but still is not constant. Therefore battery powered equipment is essential. When electricity is available, equipment with recharable batteries can be rechared. Many such items with built in rechargeable batteries (laptop computers, digital cameras, Mp3 players, etc.) have a plug in transformer that recharges the battery and will work with the 220 volts in Uganda without any voltage reduction transformer.

Check the information plate on the transformer and look for a statement similar to this Input A/C 100 - 240v, 50-60Hz. Such units work in Uganda. You will need a plug adaptor such as the one on the right. It accepts standard USA type plugs in the female side while the male side fits the common receptacles in Europe and Africa. Note: US three prong plugs and standar two prong plugs that are not polarized work find. Click here for info on two prong polarized plugs. If your electronic device transformer says "Input A/C 120v 60Hz" then it will require a voltage transformer as well. If you plug in such a unit in a 220v system without a transformer, the unit will be damaged or destroyed.

Cameras

On my first trip, I took a popular Nikon 35mm camera with a snap on flash and several interchangeable lens. This was big and bulky, and after awhile, very heavy around my neck. My first response was to leave the camera behind but soon I found myself missing great photographs. I then decided to take just the camera and the smallest lens. Then I found I was missing great indoor shots. Once home, I went camera shopping and found the Olympus Stylus® to be small enough to fit in my pocket, had flash onboard, auto focus and other neat features. I purchased one and have taken it with me on all my other trips and find it takes great photos. I have now moved up to the digital version.

I also suggest getting a digital camera with a internal rechargeable lithium battery. In the long run, they prove to be cheaper as the digital cameras others have taken that use standard AA alkaline batteries, require new batteries often. This is a hidden cost in buying a cheaper camera and increases the number and weight of batteries you must have in your luggage. There are a number of other companies with cameras of similar size and features and I would recommend your checking them out. Some on our teams take the disposable cameras and they too are small with built in flash. However, collectively, six or eight of them take up more room than one decent camera and six or eight rolls of film. They do offer the benefit that if lost or stolen, you do not incur a big loss. If you take a camera that requires FILM, either slides or general use 200 ASA film has produced excellent results. SPECIAL NOTE: The baggage screening equipment used in US airports today WILL destroy film so provision must be made to have it so it can easily be inspected by hand and NOT IN CHECKED BAGS. Increasingly team members have taken video cameras. It is great thrill to take a video of Ugandan children playing and then let them watch it. The only two issues with a video camera is that is it an expensive item you must keep track of, and a power supply to recharge batteries is not always certain. Travel | Check List | Equipment | Home

Flashlight

A dependable flashlight is absolutely necessary. The electrical supply is Uganda is intermittent and there is no substitute for having your own source of light. The smallest, brightest light I have found is the UKE 2AAA Penlight a shirt pocket light that is incredibly bright, and waterproof. It fits almost anywhere (even on a string around you neck) so you can always have it with you as you never know when a given day's activities will keep you on the go until after dark. This light is not much larger than an old fashion ink pen. Ugandans refer to flashlights as a "torch." The UKE Penlight requires 2 AAA Alcaline cells; burn time is 2-3 hours and uses a 1.13 watt Xenon lamp.

Locks

I take a set of Master® locks (all keyed alike or same combination) and about two feet of #1 welded link chain with me. Different location have different provision for locking things up. The main purpose of the locks is to keep from putting a stumbling block in front of others, as any thief could easily cut the fabric on a duffle bag. In some places the chain has been used to secure a door or to lock all my bags together so they would be difficult to carry off.
TSA in the US requires all bags to be unlocked or locked with approved locks. Approved locks will have the logo on the right on them. Do not keep all your keys in once place.
You can also use the self locking nylon "tie wraps" for some measure of security. If TSA cuts them off for inspection, they usually put one of their own in its place.

Mosquito Netting

As stated elsewhere, the war against the mosquito and the diseases they carry is never ending. In some places in Uganda I have slept without a mosquito net. In other places it is a necessity. Most beds in guest houses are single beds with a four inch foam mattress. The mosquito net to the right is a common choice among our team members. You may wish to check out camping equipment and army surplus stores in your area as well. In many places in Uganda now nets are provided but if you team is going into an extremely poor area you may need your own. Either way, you can give it away as you leave. If more Ugandan's had nets to sleep under, the number of malaria cases would decline, but for the average Ugandan, a net cost them a months salary.

Mp3s, CD Players, Walkman, Tapes
After my first trip, I purchased a portable CD player and have taken it with me every trip since. It works just fine, easily fits in my fanny pack so I can take it with me on travel days. I use one of the small "CD Wallets" that holds a dozen CDs. Of course everyone else in the world has moved up to Mp3 players and they are great. Some still have an old Walkman with tape player and found it equally functional. Note also the section on batteries.

Shortwave Radio
There are a number of small shortwave radios that are designed for international travel. After my first trip I purchased one and took it on several subsequent trips. My purpose was to be able to hear U.S. news on VOA, BBC, etc. However, I doubt I will ever take it again since most of the VOA news beamed into Africa in English is African news with only the major headlines about U.S. events. There are a growing number of radio stations in Uganda (some in native languages and some in English and some that are bilingual). If you take a Walkman you will be able to easily pick up stations in many areas of Uganda. As stated above, CDs or tapes are my suggestion.

Tools

It is always helpful to take a good multipurpose tool with you in Uganda. The Leatherman Tool® has proven satisfactory. To the right are two different styles. If you think you will only go on one trip like this, you might be very satisfied with one of the cheap imitations sold in many stores, but if you want something that will last, get the best to start with.

Watch/Alarm Clock
I would not wear an expensive watch to Uganda. I simply take an inexpensive dual time zone watch and keep one time zone set to my home time and adjust the other to Ugandan time (Easter Africa Time). I have never had any trouble waking up in Uganda. Out in the bush, people begin their day at first light and soon there is more than enough noise to wake me up. But if you are a heavy sleeper, you may wish to purchase an inexpensive battery powered digital alarm clock. One word of advice is to remove the batteries when you pack the clock. An small alarm sounding in a checked bag can cause a big problem.