The Ministry of Internal Affairs has confirmed new visa-free travel arrangements between Uganda and Egypt, and between Uganda and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), aimed at strengthening diplomatic ties, easing official travel, and boosting bilateral trade.
Under the Uganda–Egypt bilateral agreement, holders of diplomatic and official passports from both countries can now enter without visas.
Previously, even diplomatic passport holders required visas to visit Egypt.
“Ugandans with diplomatic and official passports can now travel to Egypt without applying for visas. This will enable easier travel and trade between the two countries. However, ordinary passport holders are not included in this arrangement for now,” a ministry official stated.
Negotiations are ongoing to potentially extend the exemption to ordinary passport holders in the future.
Similarly, the agreement with the UAE grants visa-free entry to diplomats, officials, and special passport holders from the UAE, while Uganda’s diplomatic and official passport holders are exempt from UAE visa requirements.
Both arrangements took effect on February 10, 2026.
Ministry officials described the deals as enhancing the global recognition of Uganda’s official passports, simplifying government travel, and supporting increased economic cooperation.
In a related announcement at the same briefing, the ministry confirmed the recall of two senior officials from the Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control.
Major General Apollo Kasita Goa, Chief of Citizenship and Immigration Control, and Johnson Namanya, in charge of Citizenship and Passport Management, have been recalled to Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) headquarters.
Both officers were deployed to the directorate in 2018.
“We appreciate the good work they have done since 2018, especially in addressing the backlog of passport applications. However, our operations will continue without disruption,” the ministry said.
Meanwhile, security agencies in Soroti East Division arrested a woman found in possession of 261 passports, certificates of good conduct, and yellow fever cards.
Her identity has not been disclosed pending investigations.
Authorities described the arrest as part of an ongoing crackdown on document fraud to safeguard the integrity of Uganda’s travel and identification systems.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs also renewed its warning to the public about fraudsters impersonating ministry officials or agents offering immigration services.
Ugandans were urged to verify credentials and report suspicious activity to avoid falling victim to scams.