WordCamp Masaka 2023 is scheduled for October 6 and 7, 2023, at Equator University of Science and Technology. The venue is situated on Kigamba-Kasijjagirwa Road, behind Masaka Regional Referral Hospital (MRRH) in Masaka City, Uganda.
How to Reach Masaka?
If you plan to travel to Masaka by air, the nearest major airport is Entebbe International Airport (EBB), located approximately 130 kilometers from Masaka. Several transportation options are available from Entebbe to Masaka, including buses, taxis, and private cars. The journey from Kampala to Masaka takes approximately 3 hours. If you don’t have access to a private car, we recommend taking a taxi to either Kampala New Tax Park or Busega. From Kampala New Taxi Park, you can seek assistance from locals to guide you to the taxis bound for Masaka. The locals are friendly and willing to help, but please be mindful of pickpockets. Taxis typically charge no more than UGX 20,000, although you may negotiate for a fare of UGX 15,000. Instruct the driver to drop you off at Ambiance Club Masaka. If departing from Busega, the fare should be no more than UGX 15,000. Here as well, inform the driver that you need to be dropped at Ambiance Club Masaka. If you are unfamiliar with Masaka, do not hesitate to remind the driver or conductor of your destination. If you have a private car, please consider stopping at the Equator in Kayabwe to take some photographs. Regrettably, buses and taxis rarely stop to allow passengers to capture this moment. Private car users can consult Google Maps for route information.
Upon arriving at Ambiance Club Masaka by taxi, you will find a boda boda (motorcycle taxi) stage at the same location. Inform the boda boda riders that you are headed to Equator University, located behind Masaka Regional Referral Hospital. The boda boda fare is a mere UGX 1,000, and the ride takes approximately 3 minutes. For those with private cars, departing from Ambiance Club Masaka, turn right onto the road leading to Masaka Regional Referral Hospital. You will see signposts for guidance. Drive approximately 800 meters to reach the Katwe Roundabout, then take the road towards Kijjabwemi and drive another 300 meters. You will encounter a signpost directing you to Equator University, which is located 200 meters off the Kijjabwemi road.
If you are traveling from Mbarara or other western parts of Uganda, or from Kigali, Rwanda, instruct the bus driver to drop you off at Gaz Petrol Station in Kijjabwemi, a designated bus stop. From there, take a boda boda to Equator University. Boda boda riders typically charge UGX 1,000 or UGX 2,000, depending on your negotiation skills. Bargaining is a common practice in Uganda. If you are using a taxi from Western Uganda, request to be dropped off at the UNRA office in Masaka, situated in Kijjabwemi on the road leading to Masaka Regional Referral Hospital. A boda boda stage is available, and the ride to the venue costs only UGX 1,000, lasting approximately 3 minutes. Private car users can turn left from this point and follow the road to Masaka Hospital, driving roughly 1,000 meters until they encounter the signpost for the venue.
For those traveling from Mutukula on Kyotera Road, the same route can be taken, or alternatively, follow a route to Masaka Liberation Square, opposite Masaka Regional Referral Hospital.
For travelers from Ssembabule, Bukomansimbi, and Kalungu Road, upon reaching the Kyakumpi-Mbarara Road junction (Nyendo-Kampala-Mbarara-Kalungu-Bukomansimbi), take the Mbarara road, pass Ssaza, and turn left onto the first branching tarmac road leading to Masaka Regional Referral Hospital. Proceed onto the Kijjabwemi road, and you will encounter the signpost for Equator University.
Safe travels, and we look forward to welcoming you to WordCamp Masaka 2023.