Uganda announces visa-free entry for Kenya and 39 other countries

The government of Uganda has declared that citizens of 40 countries and territories, including the neighbouring country, Kenya, will no longer need to seek a visa before visiting the country.

The visa waiver programme is included in the moves by the Ugandan government to ease the travel process, promote tourism, and enhance diplomacy and economic relationships with the partner countries.

The government of Uganda confirmed on its social media accounts on Tuesday, March 11, 2026, that the Uganda Ministry of Internal Affairs announced this direction and the Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control, which is in charge of immigration services, put it into effect. The Ugandan government has said that this step shows that Uganda is serious about making it easier for people to travel between countries. This will lead to more cooperation between countries.

“Nationals from the countries and regions listed above are not required to obtain a visa before travelling to Uganda, in accordance with Uganda’s visa exemption arrangements. This provision facilitates smoother travel and reflects Uganda’s continued commitment to promoting regional integration, tourism, trade, and people-to-people connectivity,” the Ugandan government statement read.

Serikali ya Uganda imetangaza kuondoa ulazima wa visa kwa raia wa nchi 40, hatua inayoruhusu wasafiri kutoka mataifa hayo kuingia nchini humo bila kuomba visa kabla ya safari. Kupitia sera hiyo mpya, wageni kutoka nchi zilizoainishwa wataruhusiwa kukaa Uganda kwa hadi miezi mitatu kwa shughuli za utalii au biashara, ikiwa ni sehemu ya juhudi za kukuza utalii, biashara na ushirikiano wa kikanda.

Miongoni mwa nchi za Afrika zilizonufaika na utaratibu huo ni Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Sudan Kusini, Seychelles, Mauritius, Msumbiji, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Botswana, Lesotho, Madagascar, Comoro, Eritrea, Gambia, Sierra Leone, Ghana na Eswatini. Pia kuna baadhi ya nchi zisizo za Afrika kama Ireland, Malaysia, Singapore, Falme za Kiarabu (UAE), Fiji, Jamaica pamoja na baadhi ya nchi za Karibiani na Pasifiki ambazo raia wake wataingia Uganda bila visa.

Hata hivyo, raia wa Marekani, Uingereza na nchi za Umoja wa Ulaya hawajajumuishwa katika orodha hiyo, hivyo bado watalazimika kuomba visa kabla ya kusafiri kwenda Uganda. Hatua hii inakuja baada ya Marekani kuweka masharti makali zaidi ya visa kwa raia wa Uganda, ikiwemo kuweka dhamana ya dola 15,000 inayorejeshwa pamoja na kupunguza muda wa uhalali wa visa.


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Uganda has announced visa-free entry for nationals of 40 countries, excluding the United States and European Union nations from this list. This is a new measure.

According to the Ugandan government, travelers from the targeted countries will no longer need to obtain a visa to travel to Uganda and can stay for up to three months for tourism or business purposes.

The African countries that will not need to obtain a visa before traveling to Uganda are: Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Uganda, Burundi, South Sudan, Seychelles, Mauritius, Mozambique, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Botswana, Lesotho, Madagascar, Comoros, Eritrea, Gambia, Sierra Leone, Ghana, and Eswatini.

Others will need to apply for a visa and wait for approval to enter this East African country.

"This new decision facilitates travel and reflects Uganda's continued commitment to promoting regional cooperation, tourism, trade, and people-to-people ties," the Ugandan government said on its X page.


US and EU citizens excluded

Among the other non-African countries allowed to enter Uganda without a visa are: Ireland, Jamaica, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Cyprus, Fiji, Grenada, Malaysia, Malta, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, United Arab Emirates, Vanuatu, and the Hong Kong SAR.

The United States, European Union countries, and the United Kingdom have not been granted visa-free entry to Uganda.

These changes to Uganda's visa and entry policy follow the United States' decision, effective January 21, 2026, to impose strict visa rules on Uganda.

This includes a refundable $15,000 bond for B1/B2 visas, a reduced validity period of three months, and restrictions on multiple entries.

Uganda has also reduced the number of countries whose nationals can obtain diplomatic travel documents.

"This policy supports official visits, high-level cooperation, and close collaboration between the two countries," the government specified.

The countries now concerned are: Algeria, Cuba, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Iran, Russia, Senegal, South Africa, Turkey (for diplomats only), Venezuela, and Vietnam.


Source: African news

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