For anyone intending to Film in Uganda, the following are required; Filming In Uganda
- Press Accreditation/Media Permit or Press card
Media Permits (Press Accreditation) in Uganda are issued by the Uganda Media Council – whose offices are located in Kampala – the capital of Uganda.
The Process of applying for Media Permits (Press Accreditation) in Uganda can be daunting especially if you try to do it your self without the help of a professional film crew fixer company. For a much better experience, we recommend working with the local film crew Fixers in Uganda
Find a list of Reputable Local film Crew Fixers in Uganda
Media Permit (Press Accreditation) fees in Uganda (Payable to Uganda Media Council)
- a fee of US$175 per person is paid for a period not exceeding 30 days of the journalist’s stay.
- a fee of US$225 per person is paid for a period beyond 30 days up to six months of stay.
- a fee of US$325 per person is paid for a period of two years.
** The fees mentioned above are set and can be amended by the Uganda Media Council without any prior consultation. we, therefore, remind you to treat these as a guide. Check with the Uganda Media Council or your local film fixer for Up-to-date Filming fees.
Quick Contacts:
Uganda Media Centre
Plot 36, Nile Avenue, Kampala
P.O.Box 2665 Kampala, Uganda
Email: info@mediacentre.go.ug
Telephone: +256312261525/6/7, +256414-237-141/3
website: mediacentre.go.ug
Top Tip: For all Filming Crews, Production Companies and 0r individual freelancers, we recommend that you allow ample time to the process of application, and acquiring all your Uganda Filming Permits (Press Accreditation/media Permits), and Film location Permits. If you have limited time, a rushed last-minute permit might be possible however, the costs might be much higher.
Other permissions that might be needed when Filming In Uganda.
Once we have obtained your Press Accreditation from the Uganda Media Council, you then will need to secure a location filming permit from relevant authorities. For instance, if you intend to go filming gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, then you will need to apply for permission to Film in Uganda’s National Park. All permits & permissions to Film in any National Park in Uganda are issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority. You can choose to personally apply or work with a local Film fixer to assist you through this bureaucratic process.
The Process of Applying for permission to film in a National Park or Protected area in Uganda.
Download & complete out a UWA Commercial film & Photography Permit request form, and thereafter send it through to Uganda wildlife Authority – UWA for approval (See: Requirements for filming inside Uganda’s National Parks).
Various Film/Video Fees apply for filming within National Parks, Wildlife Areas, and Conservation Areas. National Parks and Conservation areas have fees specific to film crews that are subject to change regularly. See Uganda Wildlife Authority Website for up-to-date Filming fees/charges.
Otherwise, if you are filming in another location other than in the National parks, you will need to seek permission from the local area leaders and the Uganda police.
***It is important to bear in mind that Uganda is a developing country, one with many rules and regulations and therefore it is important to be properly guided through bureaucratic processes.
Importing your own filming equipment for a shoot in Uganda
Considering that Uganda is the filming destination of your choice, you will most definitely need to bring in filming equipment. The best way to do this is by air. We recommend that you plan to accompany your filming equipment all the way from your home country to your filming destination – in other words, be on the same flight as your equipment. The other option is to air freight it as ‘unaccompanied’ luggage. However, be informed that the option of flying in your equipment ” unaccompanied may turn out to be more expensive, and the equipment risks sitting too long at customs port of arrival something that requires you to plan for yet extra days to pick it up from customs.
Temporary importation of film equipment falls under a Bond system in Uganda.
With the Bond system, you have the option of depositing the full value of the equipment with the Uganda Government for the duration of the shoot. On exit, you can apply to get this Bond money refunded.
Otherwise, film crews can pay a non-refundable 10% of the total value of the equipment to a freight agent who will allow you to use his Bond. This is a quicker and easier process.
Top tip: We recommend working with any one of the reputable local fixers listed on our website
Click and find a list of reliable local Film Crew Fixers in Uganda.
