The key facts
- The UAE lifted the suspension on issuing new visas to Ugandan citizens introduced in June due to the Ebola outbreak
- The entry condition is at least 21 days since departure from Uganda
- The ban on new visas remains in place for the DRC and South Sudan
Restrictions lifted for Uganda, but not for two other countries
The United Arab Emirates have lifted the suspension on issuing new visas to Ugandan citizens, The National reports. Holders of Ugandan passports can now enter the country provided that at least 21 days have passed since their departure from Uganda. The decision was announced on Wednesday and represents a revision of the precautionary measures introduced in June due to the Ebola virus outbreak in the African country.
Who the special rules will apply to
The revised entry measures were announced by the National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority, the Ministry of Health and Prevention, and the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security. At the same time, the suspension on new visas remains in place for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Sudan, taking into account the health situation in those countries. The restrictions also cover passengers transiting through the UAE — the exception being those who spent more than 21 days outside the three African countries before arriving in the Emirates.
Exemptions and humanitarian cases
Separate procedures apply to a number of categories. Ugandan students enrolled in educational institutions in the UAE before June 2026 will be able to enter the country together with their family members, as will administrative staff of the Ugandan embassy holding ordinary passports and their families. Holders of diplomatic and service passports issued by the Ugandan government will be admitted under health procedures for exempt categories in coordination with the relevant authorities. Humanitarian and medical cases will be considered individually: those travelling for treatment will need to submit approved medical reports containing the diagnosis, the name of the medical facility and the scheduled start date of treatment.
What's next
The UAE authorities stressed that the measures reflect the country's commitment to protecting public health and its readiness for health risks. The epidemiological situation will continue to be monitored, and precautionary measures will be updated in line with developments and risk assessments. Earlier, according to The National, the UAE had already partially eased restrictions for Uganda and allocated 10 million to fight the Ebola outbreak, but the full lifting of the visa suspension for Ugandans only became known now.
