The United Arab Emirates has lifted Ebola-related entry restrictions on Ugandan nationals, ending months of travel controls that disrupted movement, business and tourism between the two countries.
The decision was announced on Saturday, September 26, 2026, following a review of Uganda’s Ebola situation and confirmation that the country had completed the internationally recognised monitoring period required after an outbreak.
The announcement was made by the UAE’s National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority in coordination with the Ministry of Health and Prevention and the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security.
The restrictions were introduced on June 6 after Ebola cases emerged in the region. They included the suspension of new visas for nationals of Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan, while travellers who had recently been in the affected countries faced additional entry conditions.
Uganda remained under the measures even after Health Minister Dr Chris Baryomunsi declared the country Ebola-free on July 28.
Uganda subsequently completed the mandatory 42-day monitoring period without recording a new locally transmitted case. The last locally transmitted patient had been discharged on June 16.
The prolonged restrictions had raised concern in Kampala, particularly among businesses and tourism operators who rely on regular movement between Uganda and the UAE.
The Ugandan government had also been pressing for the measures to be lifted. Earlier this month, Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja raised the matter during a meeting in Dubai with UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed.
Nabbanja said the two governments were engaged in discussions and acknowledged that the restrictions were affecting trade between the countries.
Tourism businessman Amos Wekesa had also called for stronger action from Kampala, including the possibility of suspending Emirates flights to Entebbe until Ugandan travellers regained unrestricted access to the UAE.
The UAE’s latest decision now removes the Ebola-related restrictions affecting Ugandan nationals, although similar measures remain in place for travellers from the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan because of the health situation in those countries.
Uganda’s 2026 Ebola outbreak began in May, with the Health Ministry reporting that confirmed cases were epidemiologically linked. Identified contacts completed monitoring without evidence of further transmission, while enhanced surveillance found no signs of undetected community transmission.
The UAE authorities said they will continue monitoring Ebola developments in the region and adjust their measures according to public health risk assessments.
The lifting of the restrictions restores a key travel link for Ugandans and removes a major obstacle that had affected travel, trade and tourism between Uganda and the UAE.
