KAMPALA, Uganda — The Ministry of Internal Affairs has identified 40 countries where Ugandan citizens can travel without a prior visa, aiming to clarify conflicting information circulating on social media.
Simon Mundeyi, spokesperson for the Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control, said the list includes 36 countries that require no visa application and four “visa-nil” countries where travelers must apply for a free authorization online before departure.
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To enter the 36 visa-free nations, Ugandans must present a passport with at least six months of validity, a return ticket and proof of accommodation. Immigration officers at entry points will determine the length of stay, which typically ranges from seven to 90 days.
Among the visa-nil countries is Ireland, where travelers must use an online portal to fulfill entry requirements without paying a fee.
Mundeyi also clarified that visa-free access to the United Arab Emirates, Cyprus and South Africa currently applies only to holders of diplomatic and service passports. Negotiations are ongoing to extend ordinary passport access to South Africa, though Mundeyi noted that over 20,000 Ugandans currently living there illegally remain a hurdle in those talks.
The ministry also outlined the five types of travel documents available to Ugandans:
- Ordinary passports: Blue-colored documents costing 250,000 shillings. Express processing is available for an additional 150,000 shillings.
- Service passports: Green-colored documents costing 400,000 shillings for government officials or those recommended by the internal affairs minister.
- Diplomatic passports: Red-colored documents costing 500,000 shillings for high-ranking officials, including the president, judges and cultural leaders.
- Refugee travel documents: Blue, 32-page documents costing 220,000 shillings for registered refugees. These are void if used to enter the holder’s country of origin.
- Certificates of identity: An eight-page document costing 40,000 shillings for emergency travel within regional trade blocs.
For regional travel, Ugandans can use national identity cards to enter Kenya and Rwanda. Temporary movement permits, costing 10,000 shillings, are also available for travel to neighboring countries including South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
John Walugembe, executive director of the Federation of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises, said the ease of travel would help Ugandan businesses explore new markets and build international networks.
While work permits are free for Ugandans within the East African Community, Mundeyi reminded citizens that they must still apply for the permits and comply with local regulations. Travelers to the Middle East were also advised to check specific health requirements, such as mandatory medical tests for entry into Saudi Arabia.
