How To Dress In Uganda

What Is Dress?

Casual, comfortable clothes are the key. Dress down rather than up here. Short, tight or revealing clothes should be avoided. And our advice would be to avoid wearing shorts – most Ugandan women would not wear these; they wear skirts or dresses that usually cover the knees.

How To Dress In Uganda

Ugandans are very relaxed and most types of clothing are acceptable. We suggest you pack for comfort rather than fashion.

In Kampala and most of the bigger cities Western clothes such as jeans and t-shirts are fine.

Outside of major cities we suggest that you dress more conservatively.

During the day it is hot so our advice is to pack lightweight layers in natural fabrics such as linen, bamboo and cotton.

Wear plenty of sunscreen (we love the Riemann P20 range for 10 hour protection), sunglasses and a sunhat.

However it does cool off at night so pack a fleece or jumper too.

We suggest keeping to light, neutral colours; khaki, green and brown, but not white as it will get dirty and dusty very quickly.

Avoid blue or black clothing – the tsetse flies are drawn to these colours, and their bite can give you African Sleeping Sickness.

Long trousers and long-sleeved tops will protect you from the harsh sun and protect against mosquitoes at night. But don’t forget your insect/mosquito repellent too.

Pack light, and include some soap for hand laundry – it’s very quick to dry clothes outside on a bush as the locals do. Spare t-shirts are very cheap to buy too if you need one.

Shoes to pack for Uganda

  • Comfortable walking shoes or sandals are important as the roads are dusty and uneven. Try Hotter shoes, they are amazingly light and comfortable.
  • For walking in the bush, lightweight walking shoes or trainers are fine. It is not always smooth and even, so anything that minimises the chance of a twisted ankle is a good idea.
  • Pack good boots for forest trekking.

Clothing Tips for Women

  • Casual, comfortable clothes are the key. Dress down rather than up here. Short, tight or revealing clothes should be avoided.
  • And our advice would be to avoid wearing shorts – most Ugandan women would not wear these; they wear skirts or dresses that usually cover the knees.
  • A long skirt or loose-fitting trousers are good in the heat and will protect you from the sun.
  • Leave your valuables and jewellery at home, you really won’t need them.
  • A pashmina or sarong is a versatile item that you can use for sun protection or to ‘glam’ up the simplest of outfits if you feel like a change.

Clothing Tips for Men

  • There are no specific things to bring to your attention, check out our packing list for our suggested capsule wardrobe.

What can you not wear in Uganda?

  • Shorts. For both men and women, shorts are not worn by adults.
  • Tight and Revealing Clothes. Tight and revealing clothing in Uganda is not common.
  • Camouflage.
  • Political Colors.
  • Hand Sanitizer.
  • Headlamp.
  • Contact Solution.
  • Eye Drops.

What is the traditional clothing in Uganda?

Clothing. In Uganda, the kanzu is the national dress of men in the country. Women from central and eastern Uganda wear a dress with a sash tied around the waist and large exaggerated shoulders called a gomesi. Women from the west and north-west drape a long cloth around their waists and shoulders called suuka.