Driving in Sweden vs. Uganda: Key Safety Differences
Driving in Sweden and Uganda presents unique challenges and regulations that every traveler should understand. Key distinctions include driving on opposite sides of the road, different speed limits, and varied traffic signal protocols. Familiarizing yourself with these contrasts is essential for ensuring a secure and enjoyable experience behind the wheel in either country.
Lanes
| Sweden | Uganda | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the centerline on two-way roads. No crossing. | Marks division of opposing traffic lanes. |
| Markings: Double Solid White Line | Not commonly used; usually dashed if there are restrictions. | No crossing in either direction. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Passing permitted when safe; common as centerline on two-way roads. | Used to separate lanes of opposing traffic; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Only allowed in slow-moving traffic lanes or when other vehicles turn left. | Not allowed |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses, often accessible to taxis and bicycles. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with 'BUS'; often indicated by road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Limited |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Primarily for bicycles where available. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | Limited |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | Signs indicate specific limits where applicable. |
Driving Side
sweden:
Right
uganda:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
sweden:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads. No crossing.
uganda:
Marks division of opposing traffic lanes.
Markings: Double Solid White Line
sweden:
Not commonly used; usually dashed if there are restrictions.
uganda:
No crossing in either direction.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
sweden:
Passing permitted when safe; common as centerline on two-way roads.
uganda:
Used to separate lanes of opposing traffic; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
sweden:
Only allowed in slow-moving traffic lanes or when other vehicles turn left.
uganda:
Not allowed
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
sweden:
Use rightmost lane.
uganda:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
sweden:
Reserved for buses, often accessible to taxis and bicycles.
uganda:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
sweden:
Labeled with 'BUS'; often indicated by road signs.
uganda:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
sweden:
Yes
uganda:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
sweden:
Exclusive for bicycles.
uganda:
Primarily for bicycles where available.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
sweden:
N/A
uganda:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
sweden:
Yes
uganda:
Limited
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
sweden:
Electronic signs display current limits.
uganda:
Signs indicate specific limits where applicable.
Speeds Limits
| Sweden | Uganda | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-50 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90-120 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | Limited |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | Signs indicate specific limits where applicable. |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; fines can be issued directly. | Common; often enforced by traffic police |
Urban Areas: Standard
sweden:
30-50 km/h
uganda:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
sweden:
70-100 km/h
uganda:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
sweden:
70-100 km/h
uganda:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
sweden:
70-90 km/h
uganda:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
sweden:
90-120 km/h
uganda:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
sweden:
90-100 km/h
uganda:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
sweden:
80-90 km/h
uganda:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
sweden:
Yes
uganda:
Limited
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
sweden:
Electronic signs display current limits.
uganda:
Signs indicate specific limits where applicable.
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
sweden:
Common; fines can be issued directly.
uganda:
Common; often enforced by traffic police
Signals
| Sweden | Uganda | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1] | Yellow | Amber |
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, give way to pedestrians and other vehicles. | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not common in Sweden. | Not used in Uganda |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting. | Signal when exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Use is generally discouraged. | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | Fines may apply for misuse. | Fines may apply for misuse |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking. | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking |
| Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage | Not to be used to signal other messages. | Not to be used to signal other messages |
| Hand Signals: Permitted | Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning. | Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected. | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Swedish; symbols are standard. | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Priority | Yield and stop signs must be obeyed. | Yield and stop signs must be obeyed |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Orange diamond-shaped signs warn of danger. | Sometimes diamond-shaped, backgrounds may vary |
Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1]
sweden:
Yellow
uganda:
Amber
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
sweden:
Proceed with caution, give way to pedestrians and other vehicles.
uganda:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
sweden:
Not common in Sweden.
uganda:
Not used in Uganda
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
sweden:
Signal when exiting.
uganda:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
sweden:
Use is generally discouraged.
uganda:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Horn Usage: Penalties
sweden:
Fines may apply for misuse.
uganda:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
sweden:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking.
uganda:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
sweden:
Not to be used to signal other messages.
uganda:
Not to be used to signal other messages
Hand Signals: Permitted
sweden:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning.
uganda:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning
Hand Signals: Common Usage
sweden:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected.
uganda:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
sweden:
Swedish; symbols are standard.
uganda:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Priority
sweden:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed.
uganda:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed
Traffic Signs: Warning
sweden:
Orange diamond-shaped signs warn of danger.
uganda:
Sometimes diamond-shaped, backgrounds may vary
Turns
| Sweden | Uganda | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not generally allowed. | Not allowed |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs. | Permitted unless prohibited by signs |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left. | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed except where prohibited by signs. | Allowed where not prohibited by signage |
| Special Turn Lanes | Yes, marked with arrows. | Yes, marked with arrows |
| Overtaking While Turning | Prohibited. | Prohibited |
Right Turn On Red
sweden:
Not generally allowed.
uganda:
Not allowed
Left Turn: General
sweden:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs.
uganda:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
Left Turn: At Intersections
sweden:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left.
uganda:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
U- Turns Allowed
sweden:
Allowed except where prohibited by signs.
uganda:
Allowed where not prohibited by signage
Special Turn Lanes
sweden:
Yes, marked with arrows.
uganda:
Yes, marked with arrows
Overtaking While Turning
sweden:
Prohibited.
uganda:
Prohibited
Documentation
| Sweden | Uganda | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Requirement | Valid driver's license required. | Valid driver's license required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit is not necessary. | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended. | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory. | Liability insurance mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required. | Mandatory annual inspection |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Proof may be required to be shown. | Displayed on vehicle windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory. | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory but recommended. | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Requirement
sweden:
Valid driver's license required.
uganda:
Valid driver's license required
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
sweden:
Accepted; International Driving Permit is not necessary.
uganda:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
sweden:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended.
uganda:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Insurance
sweden:
Liability insurance mandatory.
uganda:
Liability insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
sweden:
Annual inspection required.
uganda:
Mandatory annual inspection
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
sweden:
Proof may be required to be shown.
uganda:
Displayed on vehicle windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
sweden:
Mandatory.
uganda:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
sweden:
Not mandatory but recommended.
uganda:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Sweden | Uganda | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake. | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake |
| Flashing Lights: Misuse | Discouraged, fines may apply. | Discouraged, fines may apply |
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic. | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic |
| Lane Courtesy: Blocking | Discouraged and may be penalized. | Discouraged and may be penalized |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations. | Only in emergency situations |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Rarely used except for emergencies. | Frequent use in certain situations |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks. | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Move to the side of the road and stop if necessary. | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
| Emergency Vehicles: Awareness | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights. | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights |
Flashing Lights: Usage
sweden:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake.
uganda:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
Flashing Lights: Misuse
sweden:
Discouraged, fines may apply.
uganda:
Discouraged, fines may apply
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
sweden:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic.
uganda:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
sweden:
Discouraged and may be penalized.
uganda:
Discouraged and may be penalized
Use Of Horn: Limited
sweden:
Only in emergency situations.
uganda:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
sweden:
Rarely used except for emergencies.
uganda:
Frequent use in certain situations
Pedestrians Priority
sweden:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks.
uganda:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
sweden:
Move to the side of the road and stop if necessary.
uganda:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Emergency Vehicles: Awareness
sweden:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights.
uganda:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights
Alcohol
| Sweden | Uganda | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.02% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | Zero tolerance; 0.00%. | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance applies |
| Zero Tolerance: Drugs | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs. | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs |
| Zero Tolerance: Medications | Check if medication affects driving ability. | Check if medication affects driving ability |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; police conduct alcohol and drug checks. | Implemented with checkpoints |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; vary depending on blood alcohol level. | Fines can be substantial |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for high levels or repeat offenses. | Possible for severe offenses |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension. | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
sweden:
0.02%
uganda:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
sweden:
0.02%
uganda:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
sweden:
Zero tolerance; 0.00%.
uganda:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance applies
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
sweden:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs.
uganda:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
Zero Tolerance: Medications
sweden:
Check if medication affects driving ability.
uganda:
Check if medication affects driving ability
Enforcement: Random Checks
sweden:
Common; police conduct alcohol and drug checks.
uganda:
Implemented with checkpoints
Enforcement: Fines
sweden:
Substantial; vary depending on blood alcohol level.
uganda:
Fines can be substantial
Enforcement: Imprisonment
sweden:
Possible for high levels or repeat offenses.
uganda:
Possible for severe offenses
Test Refusal
sweden:
Can result in license suspension.
uganda:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Sweden | Uganda | |
|---|---|---|
| Priority: Entering | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout. | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout |
| Priority: Inside | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly. | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly |
| Signaling: Entering | Signal left if you plan to take the first exit. | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit. | Signal right when preparing to exit |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight. | Use for first exit or straight |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe. | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe |
Priority: Entering
sweden:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout.
uganda:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout
Priority: Inside
sweden:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly.
uganda:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
Signaling: Entering
sweden:
Signal left if you plan to take the first exit.
uganda:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
sweden:
Signal right when preparing to exit.
uganda:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Right
sweden:
Use for first exit or straight.
uganda:
Use for first exit or straight
Lane Usage: Left
sweden:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe.
uganda:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Sweden | Uganda | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 for emergencies, otherwise local non-emergency numbers. | Contact local authorities |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local service (e.g., Falck, Assistancekåren). | Available through local providers or insurance companies |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory. | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory but recommended. | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
sweden:
112
uganda:
999
Contact: Traffic Police
sweden:
112 for emergencies, otherwise local non-emergency numbers.
uganda:
Contact local authorities
Contact: Roadside Assistance
sweden:
Check with your insurance provider or local service (e.g., Falck, Assistancekåren).
uganda:
Available through local providers or insurance companies
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
sweden:
Mandatory.
uganda:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
sweden:
Not mandatory but recommended.
uganda:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Sweden | Uganda | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; SEK 1500 and upwards, depending on excess speed. | Varies; fines can be substantial, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time. | Severe penalties including fines and possibly jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | SEK 1500, points on license. | Fines may apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | SEK 1500, fines for illegal use. | Fines and potential license suspension |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; fines and possible points on license. | Fines and points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; fines can be issued directly. | Common in some cases |
| Payment: Deadline | Typically within 30 days to pay. | Varies; pay by deadline indicated on ticket |
| Foreign Drivers: Fines | Same as residents; must be paid. | Same as residents; must be paid |
| Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment | Possible if fines are not paid. | Possible if fines are not paid |
Common Fines: Speeding
sweden:
Varies; SEK 1500 and upwards, depending on excess speed.
uganda:
Varies; fines can be substantial, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
sweden:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time.
uganda:
Severe penalties including fines and possibly jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
sweden:
SEK 1500, points on license.
uganda:
Fines may apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
sweden:
SEK 1500, fines for illegal use.
uganda:
Fines and potential license suspension
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
sweden:
Varies; fines and possible points on license.
uganda:
Fines and points on license
Payment: On The Spot
sweden:
Common; fines can be issued directly.
uganda:
Common in some cases
Payment: Deadline
sweden:
Typically within 30 days to pay.
uganda:
Varies; pay by deadline indicated on ticket
Foreign Drivers: Fines
sweden:
Same as residents; must be paid.
uganda:
Same as residents; must be paid
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
sweden:
Possible if fines are not paid.
uganda:
Possible if fines are not paid