Kampala – Uganda and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have officially begun implementing a bilateral visa waiver agreement, a move designed to ease travel for officials and strengthen diplomatic ties between the two nations.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs, through the Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control (DCIC), confirmed that the agreement, originally signed on 7 May 2025, has now been fully ratified and entered into force. The visa waiver for eligible UAE nationals took effect on 10 February 2026.
According to Simon Mundeyi, spokesperson for the Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control, the waiver applies as follows:
For UAE Nationals: Holders of diplomatic, special, ordinary, and service passports are now exempt from visa requirements when entering Uganda, with a maximum stay of 90 days.
For Ugandan Nationals: Only holders of diplomatic and service passports are eligible for the waiver to enter the UAE, also for stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period.
Ordinary Ugandan Passports: The waiver does not extend to ordinary passport holders, who must continue to follow standard visa application procedures to travel to the UAE.
Mundeyi emphasised that the agreement strengthens the growing partnership between Uganda and the UAE in areas such as trade and economic cooperation. “This agreement facilitates visa-free travel… aimed at strengthening diplomatic, official, and bilateral relations,” he said, noting that all travellers remain subject to standard immigration requirements, including presenting valid travel documents and proof of onward travel.
Bilateral trade between the two countries is significant, with the UAE serving as Uganda’s largest export destination as of 2026. Trade flows, largely driven by gold, coffee, and agricultural products, have exceeded $2.8 billion, underscoring the strategic economic importance of the partnership.
The Ministry assured that, while the visa waiver simplifies official travel, national security and immigration standards will be strictly maintained throughout the implementation process.
The announcement was formally shared on social media by Immigration Uganda and the Ministry of Internal Affairs, confirming the commencement of the visa waiver agreement for holders of diplomatic and service passports.
This initiative is expected to facilitate smoother diplomatic engagements, high-level government exchanges, and cooperation between the two nations, while promoting Uganda’s role as a stable and accessible partner in the Middle East.