(JUBA) – Uganda’s passport ranks 71st globally in 2025, granting its holders visa free or visa on arrival access to 67 destinations, according to the latest Henley Passport Index. The report places Uganda behind regional neighbours Kenya and Tanzania, reinforcing East Africa’s ongoing travel access gap. Uganda, however, remains ahead of Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan and Somalia.
Kenya retains the top position in East Africa, ranking 69th with access to 71 destinations. Tanzania follows closely at 70th with access to 70 destinations. Uganda’s position at 71st signals a slight improvement in regional standing, though the number of destinations accessible without a visa has not changed significantly since 2024.
In contrast, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo remain among the weakest passports in the region, tied at 90th place, with access to just 43 destinations. Somalia ranks last in the region at 96th, with visa free access to only 32 countries.
East African Passport Rankings – Henley Index 2025
| Country | Global Rank | Visa Free/Visa on Arrival Access |
|---|---|---|
| Kenya | 69 | 71 destinations |
| Tanzania | 70 | 70 destinations |
| Uganda | 71 | 67 destinations |
| Rwanda | 73 | 63 destinations |
| Burundi | 86 | 48 destinations |
| South Sudan | 90 | 43 destinations |
| DR Congo | 90 | 43 destinations |
| Somalia | 96 | 32 destinations |
Across Africa, Uganda’s passport is not among the top 10 strongest. That list is led by Seychelles (25th globally, 156 destinations), Mauritius (29th, 151 destinations) and South Africa (48th, 106 destinations). Other African countries with stronger travel privileges than Uganda include Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho, Malawi and Morocco.
Globally, Singapore holds the world’s strongest passport, offering visa free access to 193 out of a possible 227 destinations.
Although Uganda maintains full visa free access across all East African Community (EAC) countries, including Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi and South Sudan, the global mobility of its citizens remains restricted. Ugandan passport holders also enjoy relatively unrestricted travel to countries such as Zambia, Malawi and parts of Southern Africa.
Unlike Kenya, which recently eliminated visa and Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) requirements for all African nationals, Uganda has yet to implement similar reforms. Kenya’s policy is expected to enhance its regional standing and increase intra-African travel flows, placing pressure on Uganda and others to follow suit.
Top African Passports – Henley Index 2025
| Country | Global Rank | Visa-Free Access |
|---|---|---|
| Seychelles | 25 | 156 |
| Mauritius | 29 | 151 |
| South Africa | 48 | 106 |
| Kenya | 69 | 71 |
| Tanzania | 70 | 70 |
| Uganda | 71 | 67 |
Uganda’s passport has seen fluctuations over the past two decades. While the country avoided sharp declines experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic, it has yet to regain significant ground lost over the years. In 2005, Uganda’s passport was ranked considerably higher before it fell alongside others during global travel disruptions.
For Uganda, further improvements in global mobility will likely require bilateral diplomatic engagements, visa waiver agreements and regional collaboration through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the EAC framework.
