The Ministry of Internal Affairs has announced the commencement of a visa waiver agreement between the Republic of Uganda and the United Arab Emirates.
In a public statement issued on 17 February 2026, Simon Peter Mundeyi, Spokesperson and Head of Public Relations at the Ministry of Internal Affairs, confirmed that the bilateral agreement, which was signed on 7 May 2025, officially took effect on 10 February 2026.
Under the new arrangement, nationals of the United Arab Emirates holding diplomatic, special, ordinary, and service passports are exempt from obtaining a visa to enter and stay in Uganda for up to 90 days, subject to standard immigration procedures.
These procedures include presenting a valid passport and, where applicable, proof of onward or return travel.
For Ugandan nationals, the waiver applies to holders of diplomatic and service passports, who may now travel to the UAE without a visa for a maximum of 90 days within any 180-day period.
However, the Ministry clarified that holders of ordinary Ugandan passports remain subject to the routine visa application procedures for entry into the UAE.
