education 21 August 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Makerere Don Urges US to Revisit Costly Visa Bond for African Academics
A Makerere University academic has called on the United States to reconsider its visa bond requirements, citing that the significant fees are hindering academic exchanges and collaboration between African scholars and their American counterparts. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/makerere-don-asks-us-to-reconsider-visa-bond-affecting-african-academics-5567030
Professor Eric Awich Ochen, the deputy principal of Makerere University’s College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS), has appealed to the U.S. government to review its visa bond policy, which he argues has become a substantial financial barrier for African academics. The increased costs make it difficult for scholars to travel to the U.S. for crucial conferences, research, and other professional development opportunities, thereby impacting their ability to maintain vital international academic links.
“Can the US government reconsider the prohibitive visa fees which most of us can not now afford?” Prof. Ochen stated during a public lecture at Makerere University. He noted that previously, he could attend international academic engagements annually, but the current visa fees are now beyond his reach.
His remarks were made on August 19 during an event commemorating the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence, organized by the Great Lakes Center for the Study of the United States at Makerere. The event saw participation from officials of the U.S. Embassy in Uganda, faculty, and students.
The U.S. government recently implemented a visa bond requirement for citizens of several countries, including Uganda, with bonds ranging from $5,000 to $15,000. This policy has generated concern among individuals and institutions reliant on international academic mobility, particularly affecting participation in organizations like the African Studies Association.
At the same event, Professor Gilbert Khadiagala, an emeritus professor from the University of the Witwatersrand, advised African nations to study the U.S. experience in institution-building rather than merely adopting its political systems. He emphasized learning from America’s long period of peace, security, stability, and democracy, advocating for increased investment in education, infrastructure, and robust institutions to leverage Africa’s youth demographic.
Michael “Mika” Cleverley, Chargé d’Affaires at the U.S. Embassy in Uganda, was present at the event but deferred comment on Prof. Ochen’s concerns, attributing such decisions to the U.S. Department of State. The U.S. Embassy commended the Great Lakes Center for its role in fostering research and partnerships on democracy, governance, and U.S.-Africa relations.
This discussion highlights the challenges faced by African scholars in global academic collaboration. For more details, see the original article.