Gov’t Clears Air: No UAE Visa Ban on Ugandan Travelers, Workers

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has dismissed as false and misleading reports circulating on social media alleging that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has imposed a visa ban on Ugandan tourists and workers starting in 2026.

The reports, which claimed that the UAE had temporarily suspended tourist and work visa applications for Ugandan nationals, quickly spread online, raising anxiety among travellers and the estimated 100,000 Ugandans legally employed in the UAE.

However, Vincent Bagiire, the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, clarified today that the information originated from an unverified, non-government website and does not reflect the official position of the UAE authorities.

“The site which communicated the so-called visa ban is not a UAE government website,” Bagiire told SoftPower News, urging the public to disregard the reports and rely on official channels for accurate travel information.

According to the Ministry, neither the UAE embassy in Kampala nor the Ugandan embassy in Abu Dhabi has received any formal notification of a visa suspension targeting Ugandans.

The government reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with the UAE to protect the rights of Ugandan workers and maintain strong bilateral relations.