Uganda

This information is for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK. It is based on the UK government’s understanding of Uganda’s current rules for the most common types of travel.

The authorities in Uganda set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the Ugandan High Commission in the UK.

Passport validity requirements

To enter Uganda, your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the date you arrive.

Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.

You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.

Dual nationals

When returning to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. See Dual citizenship.

Visa requirements

You must have a visa to enter Uganda. Check which visa best fits your needs.

Applying for a visa

You must apply for a Uganda visa online. You will have to attach the required documents and certificates. You may be asked to submit a yellow fever vaccination certificate and must bring the physical certificate with you to present, if requested, at Immigration.

The immigration authorities will email you a letter of authorisation including a barcode. Print out the letter to show on arrival. Border officials will issue your visa.

Alternatively, you can take the letter to a Ugandan embassy and they will issue the visa.  

You can also apply for an East African tourist visa online. This costs 100 US dollars and allows multiple entries into Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda over 90 days.

Airport entry restrictions

If someone is coming to meet you at Entebbe International Airport, you will have to meet them outside the terminal building. Only passengers with tickets are allowed in the building.

Vaccine requirements

To enter Uganda, you must have a certificate to prove you’ve had a yellow fever vaccination.

For full details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s Uganda guide.

Ebola

You may encounter health screening measures, such as being required to fill in a passenger locator form on arrival and departure and temperature checks, including at airports. Some countries have heightened health screening for travellers from Uganda. Check entry requirements for the country you’re travelling to or transiting.  

On 27 May, the Ugandan National Task Force on Ebola Virus Disease announced, a closure of the Ugandan border with the Democratic Republic of Congo, with limited exceptions for authorised Ebola response, humanitarian and security personnel.

Check with your travel operator for more information.

The UK’s Returning Workers Scheme has been activated, due to the outbreak of Ebola disease. Returning health and humanitarian workers should check the latest at UK’s Returning Workers Scheme before returning to the UK.

Customs rules

There are strict rules about goods that can be taken into and out of Uganda. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) cannot provide tailored advice for individual trips. Read this travel advice and carry out your own research before deciding whether to travel.

Emergency services in Uganda

Telephone: 999 (ambulance, fire, police)

Contact your travel provider and insurer

Contact your travel provider and your insurer if you are involved in a serious incident or emergency abroad. They will tell you if they can help and what you need to do.

Refunds and changes to travel

For refunds or changes to travel, contact your travel provider. You may also be able to make a claim through insurance. However, insurers usually require you to talk to your travel provider first.

Find out more about changing or cancelling travel plans, including:

• where to get advice if you are in a dispute with a provider
• how to access previous versions of travel advice to support a claim

Support from FCDO

FCDO has guidance on staying safe and what to do if you need help or support abroad, including:

• finding lawyers and funeral directors in Uganda
• dealing with a death in Uganda
• being arrested in Uganda
• getting help if you’re a victim of crime
• what to do if you’re in hospital
• if you’re affected by a crisis, such as a terrorist attack

Contacting FCDO 

Help abroad  

See how to get help from the UK government abroad including in an emergency. 

Help in the UK  

You can call FCDO in London if you need urgent help because something has happened to a friend or relative abroad.  

Telephone: 020 7008 5000 (24 hours)  

Find out about call charges

Get travel advice updates  

Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.  

Follow FCDO: 

• travel advice on X

• travel advice on Facebook

Risk information for British companies

The Overseas Business Risk service offers information and advice for British companies operating in Uganda on how to manage political, economic, and business security-related risks.