How do I get online in Uganda?

Answer: Getting online in Uganda (in Jinja, where Kayak the Nile is based) is simple and there are a few options available.

At a cafe
At a dedicated internet shop
At your hotel/guest house
Buy a SIM Card for mobile access

1. Go to a Internet cafe:

If you have your own laptop or device then a cafe means both a nice coffee and a internet connection.

The speeds in the cafes can be frustratingly slow, at busy times everyone comes in and connects.

We recommend the following cafes:

Flavours (paid WiFi or 1hr free with a coffee)
The Keep (free WiFi)

2. Go to an Internet shop:

Jinja has several internet shops with computer booths available for those without a device. On the whole these provide a more reliable internet connection. Voice skype calls often work in these shops but you get the tasty Ugandan coffee

Reliable internet shop – next to Biashara supermarket (view on map)

3. At your hotel/guest house:

Most hotels and guest houses have an internet connection of some description, most however get easily overloaded with people trying to connect as nearly all systems run off a shared mobile connection rather than a landline connection.

4. Buy a SIM card:

For internet access on your unlocked phone (not fixed to one network, ask your home network provider about unlocking) you can buy either a SIM, MicroSIM and NanoSIM here. You will need to have your passport (or another form of ID) with you when buying and registering your SIM card but it is a otherwise easy process. Data packages can then be bought and 3G and Edge coverage in the Jinja district is good or least enough to send and receive email.