The Ugandan government has released new guidelines for its citizens traveling to countries that allow visa-free entry. These guidelines aim to address the increasing challenges faced by Ugandan travelers when visiting such countries.
As per the Internal Affairs Ministry, all travelers must now make advance hotel bookings in their destination countries, obtain a letter of invitation from their host, and possess a return ticket before leaving Uganda.
Ministry spokesperson Simon Mundeyi emphasized that even in countries where visas are not required, travelers must apply for a visa and have a well-documented travel plan, including clear reasons for their visit.
This decision comes in response to a rising number of distress calls from Ugandans abroad, with some reaching out for assistance as late as 3:00 a.m. after facing rejections by host countries.
The ministry had recently published a list of countries with visa-free agreements with Uganda. Mundeyi pointed out that this publication may have prompted a surge in Ugandan citizens traveling abroad, although many may not have been following the proper procedures.
As of September 2023, the Ugandan passport ranks 140th in the world according to the VisaGuide Passport Index. This ranking allows Ugandan citizens to travel visa-free to 39 countries globally.
These countries include Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Benin, Botswana, British Virgin Islands, Burundi, Cook Islands, Dominica, Ecuador, Eritrea, Fiji, Ghana, Grenada, Haiti, Hong Kong, Jamaica, Kenya, and Lesotho.
Additionally, Malawi, Malaysia, Mauritius, Micronesia, Montserrat, Mozambique, Niue, the Philippines, and Rwanda are on the list.
Singapore, South Sudan, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Tanzania, Gambia, Vanuatu, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Eswatini also extend visa-free travel privileges to Ugandan passport holders.
I totally agree with government you can’t travel to the so called visa free countries or on arrival visa when you could be going for unclear reasons traveling must be on merit and beneficial socially economically and politically.
Either way across the broader rules and norms must be adhered to travel restrictions must be followed