Welcome to Uganda! The 2008 HIV/AIDS Implementers’ Meeting is headquartered at the Imperial Royale Hotel, with additional sessions being held at the Serena Conference Center. Please refer to the program for a full listing and location of sessions.

Airline
Please remember that you must reconfirm your departing flight three days in advance or your reservation may be cancelled. Phone numbers for specific airlines are on the Help Line Card included with your registration materials. If you are unable to contact the airline yourself, please visit the reconfirmation desk in the Registration Area at the Imperial Royale.

Badges
Conference badges must be worn at all times for access to meeting rooms and sessions. If you misplace your badge, you will be required to show photo identification at the registration desk to obtain a new one.

Banking Facilities and Security
In Kampala, most of the banks and many foreign exchange bureaus are located on Kampala Road. The foreign exchange bureaus generally stay open later than the banks and offer competitive rates with no commission. There is a Forex bureau in the Imperial Royale. Rates at the main bureaus are usually listed in the daily newspaper. The only banks in Uganda with Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) that accept international credit cards are Standard Chartered Bank, Crane Bank, Orient Bank and Barclays Bank. ATMs are not always secure or reliable, so it is best to use them during business hours in case problems occur.

Financial fraud and related financial crimes are prevalent in Uganda. Travelers that use their credit cards should advise their banking institution of their travel and place limits on the card’s usage. There have also been reports of checking information and routing numbers being stolen to commit future financial fraud. Travelers should carefully review any banking transaction to ensure its accuracy.

Travelers who bring U.S. Currency with them should note most banks and hotels will not accept paper U.S. Currency printed before 2002.

Suggested banks in Kampala:
Crane Bank: Has a branch in the Speke Hotel, which is open daily until 20:30.

Barclays Bank: Offers the same rates for large and small bills. Located across the street from the Imperial Royale.

Standard Chartered Bank: The head office is located opposite the Grand Imperial Hotel and has credit card-compatible ATMs.

Cell Phones
Telephone connections are good and operated by Uganda Telecom (UTL), MTN and Celtel Uganda Limited (Celtel). Phone cards for all three networks are available throughout the city. Rates are approximately UGX (Ugandan Shilling) 1,000–2,000 per minute for international calls and UGX 200-900 for local calls, depending
on the network.

Cell phones will be sold in the Registration Area at the Imperial Royale Hotel.

The country code for Uganda is 256. Dial 000 to make an international call.

Contact Information
For assistance during the conference, please contact the Conference Secretariat at one of the numbers below. You do not need to dial (256) from within Uganda. The (0) does not need to be dialed if calling from outside Uganda.

Conference Line	256 (0) 714 632 002
Housing	256 (0) 714 632 003
Conference Shuttle	256 (0) 714 632 004

Child Care
Child care services will not be provided during the conference.

Currency
The official currency in Uganda is the Ugandan Shilling (UGX).

Dining
Dining options in Kampala are extensive with a range of prices. Some of the least expensive places to eat in Kampala are the takeaways that are found around the city center. Please note that many of the finer restaurants are closed on Sundays or Mondays. Please contact the restaurant directly or check with your hotel before venturing out.

Electrical Power
Electrical current is 240 volts, 50Hz. Three-pin, rectangular blade plugs are used.

Internet Café
A complimentary cyber café will be set up in Lilly A, at the Imperial Royale, during registration hours. In addition to internet access, copies are available for 100 UGX. Exact change is appreciates. Wireless Internet access is also available at most hotels. Rates may vary, so be sure to check with the hotel for specific rates.

Language
After becoming an independent nation in 1962, the official language of Uganda became English. All conference sessions will be presented in English, however limited translation will be available in the Prim Rose ballroom.

Local Time and Operating Hours
Uganda is three hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and seven hours ahead of U.S. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT). As a general rule, shops and offices are open Monday through Friday from 8:30 to 16:30 or 17:30.

Lost and Found
Please turn in any found items to the conference Registration Desk at the Imperial Royale. If you misplace an item, please be sure to check during registration hours to see if it has been found.

Luggage Storage
For attendees departing on June 7, luggage storage will be available at the Registration Area until 14:00.

Luggage Tag
In order to assist baggage handlers at the airports in identifying that your luggage belongs to an attendee of the 2008 HIV/AIDS Implementers' Meeting, please click here to print the luggage tag in the following document and attach it to your bags... If you have color printing capability, it is advisable to print this tag in color.

Meals
Daily tea breaks will be provided during the conference; however, please note that breakfast and lunch will be at your own expense and are not being provided by the conference organizers. Most conference hotels include breakfast in the conference rate (please check with your individual hotel). Arrangements have been made with the Imperial Royale to provide lunches for purchase during the conference. Lunch tickets will be sold in the Lobby of the Imperial Royale throughout the conference for lunch on June 4, 5 and 6. Attendees will be able to choose between a buffet lunch and a salad/sandwich option. The buffet luncheons are approximately $22.00 and sandwich/salad selections are approximately $16.00. No payment will be accepted in the restaurants during the conference.

Medical Care and First Aid
It is important to stay well hydrated while traveling in Uganda. It is not recommended to drink tap water. If you need medical assistance while in Uganda, you will be expected to pay in full at the time of your treatment. Kampala offers multiple medical facilities, two of which are listed below. Please note that most patients requiring emergency surgical attention are transported to Nairobi or Pretoria.

Case Clinic: Plot 9 Bombo Road • Phone: +256 0 412 50362.
Surgery: 2 Acacia Drive • Phone: +256 0 75 756003

Message Board
A message board is located at the Imperial Royale near Registration for attendees to leave messages for other registered delegates. Conference updates will also be posted here.

Registration Hours Saturday, 31 May 14:00 – 19:00 Sunday, 1 June 7:00 – 19:00 Monday, 2 June 7:00 – 19:00 Tuesday, 3 June 7:00 – 20:30 Wednesday, 4 June 7:00 – 20:30 Thursday, 5 June 7:00 – 20:30 Friday, 6 June 7:00 – 20:30 Saturday, 7 June 7:00 – 14:00

Tote bags will not be provided at this year's Conference. Please feel free to bring one to lighten your load.

Respite Area for People Living with HIV/AIDS
A respite area for People Living with HIV/AIDS will be available on Level 3/Ground Level at the Imperial Royale, in front of the hotel elevators.

Safety and Security
Kampala is rated as a critical crime threat area. Most instances of crime tend to be opportunistic in nature. Travelers should take all prudent measures in order not to become a victim of criminal activity. As in most urban areas, pick-pocketing in crowded public places is common, as is petty theft from cars and hotel rooms. Attendees are advised to remain alert, exercise caution, and follow appropriate personal safety measures. Although many parts of Kampala are safe at night, walking alone after dark is not recommended. Be aware of your environment and belongings at all times.

Shuttle Service
Complimentary shuttle service is available to and from the hotels and the conference site in the mornings and evenings throughout the conference. Please consult the shuttle schedule provided to you at Registration for detailed routes and times. Click here to preview the complete shuttle schedule.

Smoking Policy
In accordance with the Uganda Government’s Regulations on Smoking in Premises open to the Public, smoking is not permitted in any public area.

Speaker Ready Rooms & Registration
Speaker registration will be in Lilly B at the Imperial Royale Hotel.

A speaker ready room is available at both the Imperial Royale (Lilly B) and the Serena Conference Center (Foyer Bar). Speakers may visit these rooms anytime during conference registration hours to upload their presentations. We ask that speakers please upload their presentations no less than two hours prior to their scheduled session.

Transportation in Kampala
Kampala is known for its frequent traffic jams. Many of the hotels are within walking distance of the conference location and shuttle service is offered for those hotels farther away. Reputable taxis are marked with black-and-white checks, but it is recommended to agree on a fare before beginning the trip. There are no metered taxis available. A standard short distance fare ranges from UGX 3,000–5,000. Tipping is not expected.

Webcasting
An archived webcast of sessions held in the Prim Rose Ballroom will be provided by kaisernetwork.org, a free service of the Kaiser Family Foundation. The webcast and related online resources will be available following the meeting via a link at www.hivimplementers.com.

Emergencies
When traveling internationally, it is best to be prepared for any unforeseen events. Any medications being carried overseas should be clearly labeled and left in their original containers. It is advisable to carry an emergency medical card written in English and detailing allergies; reactions to certain medications, foods, or insect bites; or other unique medical problems. You may also wish to carry a letter from your physician explaining any required treatment you may need if you become ill.

In the event of an emergency, it is imperative that you contact your embassy or consulate in Uganda.

Required Vaccinations
Uganda requires a certificate for yellow fever vaccination for admittance into the country. You will need to obtain an exemption certificate if a physician concludes that for medical reasons, you should not receive a yellow fever vaccine. This exemption will typically allow you entry into one country, but if your flight requires a layover stay in another country that requires yellow fever vaccination, you may need an additional exemption. It is advisable to obtain specific and authoritative advice from the embassies or consulates of the countries you plan to visit.

Malaria is also a health risk for those traveling to Uganda. At least 4-6 weeks before your travel, seek professional medical advice regarding the preferred anti-malaria drugs for Uganda at that time. In addition to taking anti-malaria drugs, it is important to avoid mosquito bites between dusk and dawn when the anopheles (malaria-carrying) mosquito is most active.

Your doctor or health care provider will determine if there are additional vaccinations and/or medications you will need depending on factors such as your health and immunization history, areas of the country you will be visiting, and planned activities.