A complete guide to filming in Uganda

A guide to filming in Uganda

Filming in Uganda is very possible and easy to accomplish when working with a local fixer to assist you with the necessary permissions and logistics . In this guide you will find information on how to process filming permits, hiring a local film fixer, how to get your media cards, hiring and flying drones in Uganda, casting, and all production and pre-production services in Uganda and so much more. Feel free to get in touch with one of our line producers

Uganda as a Filming Location

Uganda, also known as the pearl of Africa, is one of the most prominent filming locations for film production companies around the world. The people of Uganda are very warm and welcoming. Uganda is abundant with nature and several cultures to explore. Uganda is very famous for its mountain gorillas and wildlife; not only this, but its different food types and cuisines are to look out for. The history of the people also makes it Uganda an interesting location to select for filming. As Africa Fixers, Uganda is one of the countries we work. Over the years, we have fixed for several international companies to film in Uganda. Our services as your local fixer include Media accreditation, customs clearance, Location scouting, Location permits, Drone operations, transportation, Equipment hire, Local crew hire, Security and all necessary logistics to ensure that your shoot in Uganda is successful. our experts are available to help you with everything that you need to film in Uganda. Feel free to contact us for more information.

Media accreditation to film in Uganda

For you to film in Uganda, you will need media accreditation. This is what distinguishes you as a journalist/media person/crew member. According to the law, all foreign film crew members apart of a shoot are required to get this accreditation. Media accreditations are issued by the Media Council of Uganda. You are advised to work with a local fixer to provide you with guidance and ensure that the application process goes smoothly and your accreditation is gotten in time. For more information, please contact us

Requirements for media accreditation in Uganda?

The requirements for media accreditation in Uganda include an Introductory letter addressed to The Secretary Media Council of Uganda, a certificate of good conduct, a Passport copy, passport size photograph, filled in Form G, special pass. Once these requirements are shared with us , then the application is done by the fixer on your behalf. Our working relationship with the media council of Uganda over the past years enables us to expedite the process and have your application moving in the shortest time possible.

Cost of Media Accreditation in Uganda

Media accreditation in Uganda costs 175usd per person for a period of upto 30 days, If you are planning on filming for a longer period, you can apply for 6 months which costs 225usd per person or apply for 2 years at a fee of 325 usd per person.

What is a Special Pass, and how to get it?

A special pass is a document that allows you to legally work in Uganda. It is one of the mandatory requirements for media accreditation to be approved. The pass is issued by the Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control. The process of application requires us to fill out a form and attach a passport copy, passport photograph, introductory letter addressed to the immigration office and attach a cover letter that is issued to you by the Media Council of Uganda. The special pass for Uganda costs USD400.00 per person. Our experts are available to assist you in getting a special pass to film in Uganda.

What is a certificate of good conduct?

A Certificate of Good Conduct (CGC) is an official document issued by a government or law enforcement agency that certifies an individual’s criminal record, or lack thereof, within a specific jurisdiction. The certificate is typically requested for various purposes, as a journalist this is required of you to come to Uganda as it serves as evidence of an individual’s past criminal history or the absence of any criminal convictions.

The content and process of obtaining a Certificate of Good Conduct can vary significantly from one country to another, as each jurisdiction has its own laws and regulations regarding criminal records and background checks. In some places, the certificate may be referred to by different names, such as a Police Clearance Certificate (PCC), Criminal Record Check, or Police Check.

How to get a certificate of good conduct?

To obtain a Certificate of Good Conduct, an individual usually needs to apply to the relevant government or law enforcement agency responsible for conducting background checks. The application process may involve submitting personal identification details, fingerprints, and other necessary documentation. The agency will then conduct a thorough check of its criminal records database to verify whether the individual has any criminal convictions.
If the individual has a clean record with no criminal convictions, they will be issued a Certificate of Good Conduct indicating their clean history. However, if they have a criminal record, the certificate will include details of their past convictions. Various countries require to get it from different agencies i.e., USA Interpol Letter from the FBI Department, UK Criminal Records Check from ACRO Criminal Records Office, Canada Triton Criminal Records Check, Australia National Police Certificate. For more guidance on this please feel free to contact us.

Process of getting filming permission in Uganda?

In addition to media accreditation , there are exta filming permits that are needed when filming in Uganda. These are usually location permits and the cost for these permits vary from one region/Location to another. The filming permits are applied for from the respective administrators and authorities i.e., district headquarters or authorities. For assistance or more information on filming permits in Uganda, dont hesitate to contact our local Ugandan fixer.

Process of equipment importation in Uganda

Uganda is not a member of the Carnet Free Systems Unions. The only process for clearing your equipment in and out of Uganda with no restriction is through a Bonded Agent. For this process, A comprehensive list of equipment and value needs to be submitted to URA through a bonded clearing agent for the issuance of a Temporary Import Permit (TIP). Once that is done , A fee equivalent to 10% percentage of the value of the equipment is payable. This fee is non-refundable but will guarantee you safe entry and exist with your equipment. As local fixers in Uganda, we work with trustworthy bonded agents to ensure a smooth clearance for our clients.

Visa requirements in Uganda?

For anyone to enter into Uganda, you must have a visa applied for a visa. Different visas are available for you to choose from but we recommend the tourist visa for film crews. In case you also filming in Rwanda and Kenya , you can apply for the East Africa Visa. The Visa can be applied for from the official website of the Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control. The requirements for the visa include an Introductory letter, passport copy, passport photograph, flight booking confirmation, a letter from the host in Uganda, among others. The Tourist Visa and East African Visa fees are USD50 and USD100, respectively. Feel free to reach out to us for help.

Best places to film in Uganda?

Uganda is an amazing filming destination with stunning locations to choose from. Known as the pearl of Africa, Uganda has several locations that one may take interest in depending on your interest, you are Recommeded locations include the following following; Kampala, the capital city, the source of the Nile in Jinga, Lake Victoria, the Rwenzori Mountain. National parks like Bwindi Impenetrable, which is famous for gorillas, Kibale National Park for the chimpanzee, and Queen Elizabeth National Park for the tree-climbing lions. and Murchison falls national park. Museums and cultural houses like the different Kingdom Palaces. But the stories are not limited to only those areas. There are other differential stories that can be shot across the country depending on the theme and idea of your project. For more information on different location in Uganda , please contact us

Process of drone importation in Uganda?

The drone application process is a complex one and requires a lot of time and paperwork to complete but it’s not an impossible task as we have done this on several times in the past for our clients. As long as you full fill all the requirements, you will be granted permission to temporarily import and use the drone for the specified duration as you will have stated in the letter of request. Below are the requirements and procedures for the temporary importation of a drone in the country. If you are interested in drone importation, don’t hesitate to contact us for assistance

Fill in and complete an RPAS/Drone Operations Application Form. We provide this on request.
Write an introductory letter for drone request and include all details of location, drone, drone pilot
Share the drone operations manual and specifications.
Remote pilots training certificate and license.
You will require to provide the geographical location and map of the areas of operation.
A copy of the third-party insurance for the drone.
Safety Risk assessment report of the area of operation, emergency procedures and safety management systems.
A copy of the certificate of airworthiness if applicable.
Lastly you need to get a Class III medical certificate issued by a recognized aviation designated medical examiner.
Pay a fee of USD500.00 for paperwork verification.
After approval work with a bonded customs agent to enable you clear the drone through customs.

Best time to film in Uganda?

Filming in Uganda can be done all year round, depending on the kind of project that you are dealing with, but it can be said that the best time to shoot in Uganda is during the dry season months, which occurs from December to February and from June to August. However, it should be noted that the seasons in Uganda are also dependent on regions and vary from one region to another, and also the existence of massive water bodies creates a variation.

Does Uganda have filming equipment for hire?

Filming equipment is available in Uganda. Several equipment houses are available for you to source out the type of gear you would like to hire. You just have to compile a list of the equipment needed. The costs of equipment hire will vary according to the type and the amount of time that the equipment will be hired. To find out more about this, please reach out to us

Is it safe to film in Uganda?

It is very safe to film in Uganda and generally, the conditions are very favorable. As a foreign film crew, you should ensure that you have all the paperwork allowing you to film in Uganda before going out to film. When working in crowds, you are advised to take with you extra security for protection of your gear and staff as we have petty thieves, avoid taking pictures without getting authorization from both the individuals and communities that you are working in. In addition to that , you are advised to stay updated on the local security situation and assess potential risks. Consult with local authorities or experienced professionals to determine any necessary safety precautions and measures during your shoot.

Local talent and crew that can be hired for filming In Uganda

Uganda has professional and capable local talent for all sorts of filming. If you are interested in using local crew, be assured that you will be able to find several options to work with. The local crew in Uganda includes producers, directors of photography, sound engineers, media managers, photographers and more. All you have to do is let us know the crew you would like to hire and we can arrange that for you.

Local fixer to film in Uganda?

For a successful shoot in Uganda, it is advisable to hire the services of a local fixer in the country. Working with a local Uganda fixer during your shoot will ensure that any issues that may come up in the process can be easily dealt with. From the permit process to production on ground, shoots can be dynamic, and any small thing can erupt into a big issue halting your shoot, but with a fixer on ground, you are assured of the assistsance of a local expert. Our fixer services include acquiring filming permissions, customs clearance, Equipment and talent sourcing, location scouting, security, transportation, accommodation arrangements and so much more. If you are looking for a local fixer in Uganda, dont hesitate to contact us.

Process of filming in the national parks of Uganda?

Filming in any national park of Uganda requires you to get permission from Uganda Wildlife Authority. This is the body and organization that is in charge of wildlife and national parks in the country. An introductory letter should be written detailing the purpose of the shoot, the people on the crew, the time period and the synopsis of the shoot. Once this is complete, you are required to pay a 40 percent fee of all the park activities done and a 50 percent of all the park activities if you are flying a drone in the park. Different national parks have different activities. Forexample, Bwindi and Mgahinga are known for mountain gorilla trekking, Kibale is known for Chimpanzees while murchison falls and Queen Elizabeth are known for game drives . All these activities have different costs so your fees will be determined by the national park you want to film and the activities to be done. For any assistance with filming in the national parks of Uganda, we are here.

Work With Africa Fixers.

Africa Fixers is a local fixer company in Uganda East Africa. We assist filming companies and production agencies in countries listed in several African countries. Over the years, we have worked with various production companies on several projects, making us very experienced in this industry. We handle all fixer services required with our professional team of local fixers and driver guides. We have all relevant connections with other service providers and government agencies in Uganda to make sure that accreditation and filming permit for filming in Uganda are processed in the shortest time possible. Contact us for details and all relevant information you would like to know for successful filming in Uganda.