Faith Nyasuguta
Uganda has unveiled a sweeping visa policy change that will allow citizens from 40 countries and territories to enter the country without obtaining a visa beforehand. The move, announced by the Ministry of Internal Affairs (Uganda) and implemented by the Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control (Uganda), is part of a broader effort to simplify travel, strengthen diplomacy and boost tourism and trade.
Officials say the decision reflects Kampala’s ambition to make cross-border movement easier while encouraging closer cooperation with partners across Africa and beyond.
In a statement shared by government authorities, Uganda said the visa exemption programme is designed to facilitate smoother travel for visitors and strengthen ties between nations.
“Nationals from the countries and regions listed are not required to obtain a visa before travelling to Uganda,” the statement said. “This provision facilitates smoother travel and reflects Uganda’s continued commitment to promoting regional integration, tourism, trade and people-to-people connectivity.”
The policy significantly expands Uganda’s existing visa exemptions and is expected to make travel to the East African nation easier for tourists, business travelers and regional partners.
Several countries within the East African Community are included on the list. Citizens of Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, South Sudan and Burundi will now be able to travel freely into Uganda without applying for visas in advance.
These neighbouring states already maintain strong economic and political relationships with Uganda, and officials believe the new arrangement could deepen regional integration by encouraging easier movement of workers, traders and tourists.
Beyond East Africa, the visa waiver also extends to a range of other African nations, including Botswana, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eritrea, Gambia, Ghana, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Eswatini, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
By expanding visa-free access to these countries, the Ugandan government hopes to make travel across the continent easier and support broader efforts to deepen African economic cooperation.
The new policy is not limited to Africa. Several countries and territories outside the continent have also been granted visa-free entry. These include Ireland, Malaysia, Singapore and the United Arab Emirates, as well as Caribbean and Pacific nations such as Jamaica, Barbados, Bahamas, Fiji, Tonga and Vanuatu. The Asian financial hub of Hong Kong is also included.
Ugandan officials believe the expanded visa exemptions could increase international visitor numbers and strengthen commercial relationships with emerging markets.
The government also clarified that travelers from eligible countries who hold Conventional Travel Documents (CTDs) issued by recognized authorities will be able to enter Uganda under the visa-free arrangement.
Historically, most foreign visitors were required to apply for visas before entering Uganda. However, regional integration initiatives have gradually changed the country’s approach to travel policy.
In 2015, Uganda removed visa requirements for citizens of Kenya and Rwanda as part of efforts to promote mobility within the East African Community. The latest expansion represents one of the country’s most significant travel policy liberalizations in recent years.
Officials say the move aligns with broader regional goals of facilitating trade, tourism and investment across Africa.
As the continent pushes toward deeper economic integration – including through initiatives such as the African Continental Free Trade Area – easing travel restrictions is increasingly viewed as an essential step in unlocking cross-border opportunity.
With its new visa-free policy, Uganda hopes to position itself as a more accessible destination for business, tourism and regional collaboration.
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