Current Time in Mbarara
Ugandan culture regarding time
Ugandan culture regarding time
The concept of "African time"
In Uganda, a sense of time called "African time" is common, and appointments and events often start later than scheduled, and strictness regarding time is relatively relaxed.
Gatherings start slowly
Gatherings such as meetings and parties often do not start on time, and usually start slowly as soon as the participants arrive.
Religious events affect time
Religious schedules, such as Sunday worship and Friday Islamic prayer times, can greatly affect daily time priorities.
Ugandan values regarding time
Human relationships are more important than time
In Uganda, values that value trust and interaction with people are more important than punctuality, and flexible responses without being bound by time are valued.
Value leisure over busyness
Rather than being pressed for time, people tend to think of a relaxed daily life as the ideal, and they rarely show signs of being flustered even if they are late for an appointment.
Live with the rhythm of nature
In rural areas, people still live their daily lives based on the rhythm of nature, such as waking up with the sun rising and finishing their activities at sunset.
Things foreigners should know about time when traveling or relocating to Uganda
Consider appointment times as a guideline
Even in business and personal plans, times are often only a guideline, and delays of 15 to 30 minutes are not uncommon.
Public transportation does not have set departure times
Buses and shared taxis (matatu) do not follow a timetable, but depart when they are full, so it can be difficult to travel on time.
The sense of time is different in urban and rural areas
Time consciousness is relatively high in urban areas such as Kampala, but "African time" is still common in rural areas.
Interesting trivia about time in Uganda
"I'm going now" means "I'll be there someday"
If a Ugandan says "I'm going now," they don't necessarily act immediately, and may show up several hours later, so be careful.
Weddings are long events
Traditional weddings can last from morning until late at night, and rarely end as scheduled. They are characterized by leisurely enjoying the food and ceremonies.
Delays in classes are common even at school
Teachers often arrive late at public schools, and it is not uncommon for classes to not start even after the bell has sounded.