Visa Information / Entry requirements – Uganda

This page reflects the UK government’s understanding of current rules for people travelling on a full ‘British Citizen’ passport from the UK, for the most common types of travel.

The authorities in Uganda set and enforce entry rules. If you’re unsure how Uganda’s entry requirements apply to you, contact its UK embassy, high commission or consulate.

All travellers

You’ll need a visa to enter Uganda. Following an announcement by the Ugandan Ministry of Internal Affairs on October 14 2021, you are required to have a visa before your trip. Visas will not be issued on arrival.

See the Visas section for more information.

A negative COVID-19 PCR test certificate is no longer required for fully vaccinated inbound and outbound travellers. Children under the age of 6 are exempted from providing a negative COVID-19 PCR test certificate whether vaccinated or not.

Arriving passengers will be subject to temperature checks and will be screened for infectious diseases by the Port Health authorities. If your temperature is above normal or you display COVID-19 symptoms you may be required to take a COVID-19 test. If a foreign national tests positive for COVID-19 and wishes to be repatriated for treatment outside of Uganda, they will be expected to cover the costs themselves.

Only passengers with valid tickets and airport officials will be allowed into the terminal building.

For more information about entry requirements, visit the Ugandan Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control website.

If you’re fully vaccinated

If you are fully vaccinated (and for children under the age of 6) you are now able to enter Uganda via air and land border points without showing a negative COVID-19 PCR certificate. You will be required to show evidence that you are fully vaccinated.

Proof of vaccination status

You are required to show your COVID-19 vaccination status on arrival at Entebbe International airport and land border points in Uganda

If you’re not fully vaccinated

If you are not fully vaccinated you will need to show a negative COVID-19 PCR certificate issued no more than 72 hours before departure on arrival by land or air.

If you’ve had COVID-19 in the past year

There are no special arrangements in place for travellers who have tested positive for COVID-19 in the past year.

Children and young people

Children under the age of 6 do not need to show a negative COVID-19 test certificate on arrival. Unvaccinated children aged 6 and above will need to show a negative COVID-19 test certificate issued no more than 72 hours before departure on arrival at land border points and Entebbe International Airport

If you’re transiting through Uganda

If you are transiting through Uganda on your way to another country and staying in the airport (airside) you will need to provide proof that you are fully vaccinated or provide a negative COVID-19 test certificate on arrival.

If you are transiting through Uganda on your way to another country and will be passing through immigration (sometimes known as a layover), for example to stay in a hotel for a flight the next day, you will need to provide proof that you are fully vaccinated or provide a negative COVID-19 test certificate on arrival.

Exemptions

There are no exemptions to Uganda’s entry requirements.

Check your passport and travel documents before you travel

Passport validity

Your passport should be valid for a minimum period of 6 months from the date of entry into Uganda.

Visas

You can apply for a visa at the Ugandan High Commission in London or apply online for an ‘e-visa’. You can find full details of how to apply on the website of the Ugandan High Commission in London. You should give yourself sufficient time to apply for a visa and make sure when applying that the start date and validity covers the period you wish to travel.

You can also apply for an East African Tourist Visa. This is valid for 90 days and allows multiple entry into Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda. You can apply for this visa on the ‘e-visa’ website.

Yellow fever certificate requirements

Check whether you need a yellow fever certificate by visiting the National Travel Health Network and Centre’s TravelHealthPro website.

UK Emergency Travel Documents

UK Emergency Travel Documents (ETDs) are accepted for entry, airside transit and exit from Uganda. ETDs must be valid for 6 months for entry into Uganda. A police report for lost/stolen passports is required for departure on an ETD.

Tourism Health Information – Uganda

If you have a health condition, or you are pregnant, you may need specialist healthcare abroad. Check whether your destination country can provide the healthcare you may need and ensure you have appropriate travel insurance for unexpected medical evacuation or local treatment.

At least 8 weeks before your trip, check the latest country-specific health advice from the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) on the TravelHealthPro website. Each country-specific page has information on vaccine recommendations, any current health risks or outbreaks, and factsheets with information on staying healthy abroad. Guidance is also available from NHS (Scotland) on the FitForTravel website.

General information on travel vaccinations and a travel health checklist is available on the NHS website. You may then wish to contact your health adviser or pharmacy for advice on other preventive measures and managing any pre-existing medical conditions while you’re abroad.

The legal status and regulation of some medicines prescribed or purchased in the UK can be different in other countries. If you’re travelling with prescription or over-the-counter medicine, read this guidance from NaTHNaC on best practice when travelling with medicines. For further information on the legal status of a specific medicine, you’ll need to contact the embassy, high commission or consulate of the country or territory you’re travelling to.

While travel can be enjoyable, it can sometimes be challenging. There are clear links between mental and physical health, so looking after yourself during travel and when abroad is important. Information on travelling with mental health conditions is available in our guidance page. Further information is also available from the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC).

Medical facilities in Uganda are limited especially outside Kampala and the current COVID-19 outbreak means that many healthcare providers are severely stretched. Medical help at the scene of an accident is likely to be limited, particularly outside of Kampala, and many popular tourist attractions are far from adequate medical facilities. In the case of serious accident or illness, evacuation by air ambulance may be required. Make sure you have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment abroad and repatriation.

Weather & When To Go To Uganda

Uganda has a lovely fine sunny and rainy weather which most times do not require wearing warm clothing; however, except on some chilly nights in the mountainous areas in western and eastern Uganda. Uganda is mostly sunny all year round, especially in the central region. Rainfall comes in torrents when delayed, especially when the expected patterns are delayed for some months. Uganda’s wet and dry seasons are typical of most regions. In the southern, half of Uganda there is rainfall from March to May and again in September – November. The rest of the periods are dry. If you do love the rain, there is a well-distributed rainfall pattern around the Lake Victoria Crescent, with storms and unpredictable rainfalls during seasons when there is no rain elsewhere in the country. And if you love the heat, the temperature in Kampala ranges between 15°C-29°C all year round.