Uganda
Summary
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There remains a heightened security presence around Jinja town. Stay aware of your surroundings at all times, avoid large events and gatherings and follow the advice of security personnel. The FCDO advises against all but essential travel provider.to Jinja.
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On 17 October there was an attack in Queen Elizabeth National Park in Western Uganda resulting in three fatalities.
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Before you travel, check the ‘Entry requirements’ section for Uganda’s current entry restrictions and requirements. These may change with little warning. Monitor this advice for the latest updates and stay in contact with your travel provider.
If you plan to Semulikipass Nationalthrough Park.another country to return to the UK, check the travel advice for the country you’re transiting.
Before you travel, check the ‘Entry requirements’ section for Uganda’s current entry restrictions and requirements. These may change with little warning. Monitor this advice for the latest updates and stay in contact with your travel provider.
If you plan to Semulikipass Nationalthrough Park.another country to return to the UK, check the travel advice for the country you’re transiting.
It is more important than ever to get travel insurance and check it provides sufficient cover. See the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) guidance on foreign travel insurance.
You should remain vigilant, avoid large crowds and public demonstrations and follow local media for updates. Political rallies, protests and violent demonstrations can occur without notice throughout the country. See Political situation.
On 30 May 2023 an anti-homosexuality act was brought into law in Uganda. The act includes harsh prison sentences, and the death penalty in some cases, for same sex sexual activity and also the supporting or promotion of LGBT+ rights. See Local laws and customs.
On 20 September 2022 Uganda declared a new outbreak of Ebola. As of 18 December 2022, there are no confirmed cases in Uganda.
On 11 January 2023 the World Health Organisation declared the Uganda Ebola outbreak over.
Some countries have imposed heightened health screening for Ebola for travellers from Uganda, including British Nationals. You should check the entry requirements of the country which you are travelling to or transiting. See Health.
On the 2 December 2022 new COVID-19 measures were announced. See Coronavirus
UK health authorities have classified Uganda as having a risk of Zika virus transmission. For information and advice about the risks associated with Zika virus, visit the National Travel Health Network and Centre website
Petty and violent crime occurs. Take sensible precautions to protect yourself and your belongings. See Safety and Security
Terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks in Uganda. Attacks could be indiscriminate or against foreign nationals or places frequented by foreign nationals. On 17 June 2023, the Ugandan police attributed to militants (Allied Democratic Forces – ADF) an attack on a school in Mpondwe, Kasese District, western Uganda, close to the border with the DRC. 42 people were killed. On 16 November 2021, terrorists used two explosive devices in central Kampala killing 4 and injuring 33 people. The Uganda Police Force disrupted an attempted IED attack at Miracle Centre Cathedral in the Rubaga Division of Kampala on 3 September 2023. They have since reported the discovery and disposal of further Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and detained multiple suspects in custody. You should remain vigilant at all times and follow the advice of local authorities. See Terrorism
Avoid travel by road outside major towns at night, except between Kampala and the airport at Entebbe. See Crime
Around 15,000 British nationals visit Uganda every year. Most visits are trouble-free.
If you’re abroad and you need emergency help from the UK government, contact the nearest British embassy, consulate or high commission.
The Overseas Business Risk service offers information and advice for British companies operating overseas on how to manage political, economic, and business security-related risks.
Update history
2024-02-28 14:51
Information about theft and cattle raiding in North East Uganda (‘Regional risks’ page).
2023-12-29 17:03
Information on attacks on a bar and a farm in Kyabandara, and a further 3 people in an attack in Nyabitusi, in Kamwenge district near to Kibale forest (‘Regional risks’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages).
2023-12-22 13:14
Clarification that FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the southern sector of Kibale Forest National Park and Kibale Forest Corridor Game Reserve up to and including the Fort Portal – Kamwenge / Fort Portal – Mbarara road entering the Park at Lake Nyabikere and exiting at Nkingo and extending to Lake George following the forest boundary (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2023-12-22 09:22
Clarification that FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the southern sector of Kibale Forest National Park and Kibale Forest Corridor Game Reserve starting from the Fort Portal – Kamwenge / Fort Portal – Mbarara road entering the Park at Lake Nyabikere and exiting at Nkingo and extending to Lake George following the forest boundary (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2023-12-22 07:19
FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the southern sector of Kibale Forest National Park and Kibale Forest Corridor Game Reserve starting from the A109 entering the Park at Lake Nyabikere and exiting at Nkingo and extending to Lake George following the forest boundary (warnings and insurance)
2023-12-20 11:12
Updated information on terrorism and western Uganda, reflecting an attack in Kyabandara, Kamwege district, in Kibale forest, which killed 10 people (‘Safety and security’ and ‘Regional risks’ pages).
2023-12-12 12:44
This travel advice has been rewritten to make it easier to read and understand. The advice against travel to Jinja town has been removed.
2023-11-17 19:56
There remains a heightened security presence in and around Jinja town. Stay aware of your surroundings, avoid large gatherings, and follow advice of security personnel. FCDO continues to advise against all but essential travel to Jinja town.
2023-11-13 21:23
FCDO advises against all but essential travel to Jinja town.(‘Summary’ page).
2023-11-09 16:50
FCDO now advises against all travel to the Nyege Nyege music festival (‘Summary’ page).
2023-11-09 11:31
The U.S. Embassy in Uganda has issued a security alert directing their staff to not attend the Nyege Nyege festival in Jinja (‘Summary’ page).
2023-11-07 13:53
Clarification that FCDO advise against all but essential travel to Jinja Town, except travelling through Jinja Town on the A109 and clarification on Queen Elizabeth National Park and surrounding areas (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages).
2023-11-07 05:04
The FCDO advises against all but essential travel to Jinja Town. There is a growing terror threat in Uganda, including targeting of foreigners. Avoid large gatherings, including large scale worship, and music and cultural festivals in Uganda.
2023-10-18 21:22
The FCDO advises against all but essential travel to Queen Elizabeth National Park, and the area immediately southwest of Kasese. The FCDO also advises against all but essential travel to Semuliki National Park. (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and security: Local travel.’)
2023-10-18 06:52
Update regarding attacks in Queen Elizabeth National Park (“safety and security”, “Terrorism” )
2023-10-18 05:53
Update regarding attacks in Queen Elizabeth National Park (“summary”)
2023-10-18 00:54
Update regarding attacks in Queen Elizabeth National Park (“summary”)
2023-10-17 20:10
There have been reports of an attack with three fatalities on 17 October in Queen Elizabeth National Park in Western Uganda. The attackers remain at large. If you are in the area you should remain vigilant and follow the advice of the local security authorities and/or your tour operator (Summary)
2023-09-08 11:44
Information on the discovery and disposal of Improvised Explosive Devices (‘Summary’ and ‘Terrorism’ pages).
2023-09-03 20:15
Updated information about terrorism in Uganda. ‘Summary’ and ‘Terrorism’ page.
2023-06-30 18:06
Updated information about terrorism in Uganda. ‘Summary’ and ‘Terrorism’ page.
2023-06-22 11:44
Information about the global terrorism risks to British nationals abroad on all FCDO travel advice pages.
2023-06-17 11:17
Information on an attack in Mpondwe, western Uganda on 17 June 2023 (‘Safety and security’ page)
2023-06-03 11:04
“Information on anti-LGBT+ legislation that was brought into law on 30 May 2023 (‘Summary’ and ‘Local laws and customs’ pages).”
2023-03-29 15:21
Information on COVID-19 related entry requirements including no longer needing to show proof of vaccination status or providing a negative PCR test on arrival (‘Entry Requirements’ page).
2023-03-23 11:57
Additional of information about health surveillance bordering Tanzania (‘Health’ page).
2023-03-21 19:24
Addition of content regarding risk to LGBT+ community (‘Local Laws and Customs’ pages).
2023-03-06 11:11
Removal of information about Parliamentary by-elections for Serere District (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages).
2023-02-22 15:45
Addition of information notifying of Member of Parliament by-elections for Serere District (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages).
2023-01-11 15:55
Addition of information that the Ebola outbreak has been declared over and editorial updates to Safety and security (‘Summary’, ‘Entry requirements’, ‘Health’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages).
2022-12-18 09:18
Updated information on the Ebola outbreak: movement restrictions and curfews in Mubende and Kassanda Districts have been lifted as of 18 December 2022. (‘Summary and Health’ pages).
2022-12-13 13:59
Update information following an attack by an armed group in Ntokoro District, western Uganda on 12 December 2022 (‘Safety and Security’ page).
2022-12-03 08:29
Updated COVID-19 measures announced (‘Summary’ and ‘Coronavirus’ pages).
2022-11-30 12:00
Removal of advice against all but essential travel to Mubende District and the removal of Kyegegwa from the list of districts with confirmed cases (‘Summary’ and ‘Health’ pages).
2022-11-27 11:55
Updated information on the Ebola outbreak declared in Uganda – extension to the President directive on restrictions in Mubende and Kassanda Districts for a further 21 days (‘Summary’ and ‘Health’ pages)
2022-11-20 15:42
Updated information on entry and departure requirements in response to the Ebola outbreak declared in Uganda – suspension of the requirement to complete a Digital Health Form. (‘Summary’ and ‘Entry Requirements’ pages).
2022-11-15 14:39
Updated information on entry and departure requirements in response to the Ebola outbreak declared in Uganda. (‘Summary’ and ‘Entry Requirements’ pages).
2022-11-13 12:48
Updated information on the Ebola outbreak declared in Uganda. Jinja District in eastern Uganda added as a district with a confirmed Ebola case (‘Summary’ and ‘Health’ pages).
2022-11-12 12:53
Updated information on the Ebola outbreak declared in Uganda, Bunyangabo and Kagadi Districts in western Uganda removed from districts with confirmed Ebola cases (‘Summary and ‘Health’ pages).
2022-11-05 19:01
Updated information on the Ebola outbreak declared in Uganda (‘Summary and ‘Health’ pages).
2022-11-04 12:03
Updated information on the Ebola outbreak declared in Uganda (‘Health’ pages).
2022-10-31 11:07
Updated information on the Ebola outbreak declared in Uganda (‘Entry Requirements’ and ‘Health’ pages.) Addition of information about fighting between Democratic Republic of Congo military and armed group M23 close to the border with Uganda (‘Safety and Security’ page). Editorial updates (‘Safety and Security’ and ‘Health’ pages).
2022-10-25 17:24
Updated information on the Ebola outbreak declared in Uganda (‘Summary’, and ‘Health’ pages)
2022-10-22 18:18
Updated information on the Ebola outbreak declared in Uganda with confirmed cases in Kampala (‘Summary’, and ‘Health’ pages)
2022-10-15 21:37
Updated information on travel to Mubende and movement restrictions introduced in Mubende and Kassanda the Ebola outbreak declared in Uganda (‘Summary’, and ‘Health’ pages)
2022-10-12 09:57
Updated information on the Ebola outbreak declared in Uganda (‘Summary’ and ‘Health’ pages).
2022-10-07 15:23
Updated information on the Ebola outbreak declared in Uganda (‘Summary’ and ‘Health’ pages).
2022-10-03 09:57
Updated information on the Ebola outbreak declared in Uganda (‘Summary’ and ‘Health’ page).
2022-09-30 10:52
Further updated information about Ebola (‘Summary’ and ‘Health’ pages).
2022-09-26 09:36
Further updated information about Ebola (‘Summary’ and ‘Health’ pages).
2022-09-23 14:45
Updated information about Ebola (‘Summary’ and ‘Health’ pages).
2022-09-20 17:35
Updated information about Ebola (‘Summary’ and ‘Health’ pages).
2022-07-25 15:49
Updated information about upcoming by-elections across Uganda (‘Safety and security’ page)
2022-07-06 15:43
Updated information about upcoming by-elections in East and South West Uganda (‘Safety and security’ page)
2022-06-13 16:55
Further update about conflict in the DRC, close to the Ugandan border in the southwest (‘Safety and security’ page)
2022-05-24 16:24
Addition of information on the Omoro County by-election on 26 May and renewed conflict in the DRC, close to the Ugandan border in the southwest. Updated information on the security situation in the Karamoja sub-region (‘Safety and security’ page)
2022-04-28 16:15
Suspension of requirement for fully vaccinated travellers and children under the age of 6 to provide a negative COVID-19 PCR test on arrival and departure (‘Entry requirements’ page)
2022-04-27 17:48
Suspension of requirement for fully vaccinated travellers and children under the age of 6 to provide a negative a COVID-19 PCR test at land borders on arrival and departure (Entry Requirements pages).
2022-03-30 15:47
Update on current Ugandan military operations against the M23 armed group in South West Uganda (Safety and Security pages) and suspension of requirement for fully vaccinated travellers to provide a negative a COVID-19 PCR test at land borders (Entry Requirements pages).
2022-02-18 15:44
Information on the suspension of COVID-19 PCR test on arrival at Entebbe Airport (‘Entry requirements’ pages)