UAE Lifts Visa Restrictions for Ugandan Nationals

The United Arab Emirates has officially lifted its suspension on issuing new visas to Ugandan nationals. This decision eases travel restrictions that were originally put in place in June 2026 due to regional health concerns regarding the spread of the Ebola virus.

The policy change was announced following Uganda’s successful containment of the Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak. Health authorities officially declared the outbreak over on July 28, 2026, after completing the necessary public health response and stopping local transmission of the virus.

Under the newly revised guidelines, Ugandan travelers are permitted to apply for visas and enter the UAE provided they have spent a minimum of 21 days outside Uganda prior to their journey. Additionally, exemptions have been established for specific groups.

Ugandan students enrolled in UAE educational institutions prior to June 2026, along with their family members, are allowed to return. Diplomatic and special passport holders, as well as administrative staff at the Ugandan Embassy using ordinary passports, are also permitted entry under designated health procedures.

Humanitarian and medical cases will be evaluated on an individual basis. Patients traveling to the UAE for medical treatment must submit approved medical reports outlining their diagnosis, the treating facility, and the planned start date for care.

While Uganda has successfully cleared its outbreak, the UAE noted that precautionary restrictions will remain in place for nationals from the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan due to ongoing epidemiological risks in those nations. Ugandan health authorities continue to maintain heightened surveillance at border points to prevent any reintroduction of the virus.

For more details, read the original report on The Observer (Uganda).