Ugandans travelling to the United Arab Emirates have received a potentially significant development after the UAE agreed to lift travel restrictions affecting Uganda, subject to an inspection visit by a UAE delegation.
Uganda’s Foreign Minister Adonia Ayebare announced the development on September 26, saying the UAE decision followed a meeting with Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE’s deputy prime minister and foreign minister.
The announcement does not mean that every restriction has already been removed. According to ChimpReports, a UAE delegation is expected to visit the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority and other relevant entities within seven days to assess preparedness. Ayebare did not provide a precise date for the restrictions to end or specify all of the entry requirements that may change.
The development is important because the UAE is a major destination and transit hub for Ugandans. Uganda’s embassy in Abu Dhabi estimated in March 2025 that about 160,000 Ugandans lived in the UAE. The route between Entebbe and Dubai also serves travellers moving onward to other destinations, making the relationship important beyond direct travel.
The travel restrictions have also had economic implications. Ugandan officials have previously raised concerns about the effect of restrictions on trade and movement between the two countries.
ChimpReports quoted Uganda’s embassy as putting bilateral trade at approximately $4.7 billion, compared with about $600 million in 2018. Uganda and the UAE are also preparing a business forum scheduled for October.
The latest development follows discussions between officials from the two countries. Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja had earlier raised the issue with Sheikh Abdullah during a visit to Dubai, with Ugandan officials saying the restrictions were affecting economic ties.
The UAE’s planned inspection therefore provides a formal step between the announcement and any practical changes for travellers.
Health and aviation preparedness are central to the process. Ugandan officials have said the country was declared Ebola-free by the World Health Organization in August, while some countries continued to maintain travel restrictions.
The inspection is expected to allow UAE officials to assess Uganda’s aviation and relevant public-health arrangements before final implementation.
Travellers should therefore avoid assuming that all restrictions have immediately disappeared. Until the UAE issues formal implementation guidance, passengers should confirm current entry requirements with airlines, the UAE authorities and Uganda’s diplomatic missions.
This is particularly important for people who already have travel bookings or who depend on the Dubai route for employment, business or family travel.
If the process is completed successfully, the lifting of restrictions could support easier movement between Uganda and the UAE and help restore confidence in commercial and personal travel.
It could also strengthen a relationship that has grown substantially in recent years. For now, however, the next major step is the UAE delegation’s inspection and any formal notice that follows it.