- Students enrolled before June 2026 may enter with family members under approved health procedures.
- The announcement does not clarify whether every listed category must meet the 21-day condition.
- Medical reports must identify diagnosis, treatment facility and scheduled treatment start date.
The UAE has lifted its visa suspension for Ugandan nationals. The general entry rule still requires at least 21 days outside Uganda.
The clock starts when a traveler leaves the country. The National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA) announced the change on November 11, 2026, in coordination with the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) and the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP).
NCEMA has not specified a separate effective date. The announcement date does not establish that the measure took effect on November 11, and November 10 is not established as its start date.
Ugandans may apply for visas again, but permission to apply is not a guarantee of visa issuance or entry. The measures were introduced in June 2026 in response to Ebola-related health developments.
The 21-day rule does not settle every category’s status
The general condition permits entry once at least 21 days have passed since departure from Uganda. The announcement does not make clear whether that requirement also applies to each of the separately listed groups below.
NCEMA has not clarified that point. Travelers in a listed category should check with ICP before relying on an assumed exemption or making travel plans.
Students, embassy staff and passport holders have separate provisions
The announcement identifies specific groups that may enter under approved procedures:
- Ugandan students enrolled at UAE educational institutions before June 2026, along with their family members, may enter under approved health procedures.
- Administrative staff of the Ugandan embassy who hold ordinary passports, and their family members, may enter subject to approved procedures.
- Ugandan diplomatic and special passport holders may enter under health procedures for exempted categories.
- Humanitarian and medical cases receive individual assessment. Approval is not automatic.
Medical travelers must provide approved reports. The documents must state the person’s diagnosis, the facility where treatment is planned and the scheduled date treatment will begin. The announcement ties these requirements to each case’s circumstances.
Health measures remain in place for Congo and South Sudan
The easing for Ugandans does not end every precautionary measure. The authorities said measures for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Sudan remain in force while they monitor health conditions in both countries.
Uganda declared its latest Ebola outbreak over on July 28, following a 42-day monitoring period without new infections. The UAE’s revised measures followed precautions introduced in June 2026.
NCEMA, MoHAP and ICP said they would continue monitoring the epidemiological situation and adjust precautions as developments and risk assessments change. No later review date was specified.
Ugandans can now apply for a UAE visa. Those whose travel depends on the 21-day condition, particularly people in a separately listed category, should seek clarification from ICP; medical travelers need the approved reports before their cases can be assessed.
