Uganda Travel Requirements in 2025: A Comprehensive Guide

Uganda Travel Requirements: Discover and understand Uganda travel requirements, including visas, vaccinations, and more, to ensure a smooth and safe journey.

Traveling to Uganda, known as the “Pearl of Africa,” offers an extraordinary opportunity to explore its rich biodiversity, vibrant cultures, and iconic destinations like Queen Elizabeth National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, and the source of the Nile.

Whether you’re planning to visit the Batwa Pygmies, engage in cultural experiences with the Karamojong, or join traditional African cooking tours, understanding Uganda travel requirements is essential for a smooth and safe journey.

Visa Requirements for Uganda

Single-Entry Tourist Visa:

To enter Uganda for tourism, medical treatment, or family visits, you’ll need a valid visa. The most common option is the Single-Entry Tourist Visa, costing approximately 50 USD, allowing you to stay for up to 90 days. This visa is applied for online through Uganda’s e

Requirements include:

• Passport: A valid passport with at least six months’ validity from your departure date and one blank page for the visa stamp.
• Documents: A digital copy of your passport’s bio-data page, a recent passport-sized photo, a travel itinerary or tour plan, proof of accommodation (e.g., hotel booking), and a yellow fever vaccination certificate (more details below).
• Application Process: Submit your application online at least 7–10 days before travel. Upon approval, you’ll receive an authorization letter with a barcode, which you must print and present at the port of entry (e.g., Entebbe International Airport) to receive your visa stamp. Alternatively, you can take the letter to a Ugandan embassy for visa issuance.
• Note: Visa approval is valid for 90 days from issuance. If you don’t travel within this period, you’ll need to reapply. Overstaying incurs a fine of about $30 per day and may lead to detention.

East African Tourist Visa

For travelers planning to visit multiple East African countries, the East African Tourist Visa costing USD 100  is a cost-effective option, allowing multiple entries into Uganda, Kenya, and Rwanda for 90 days.

This visa is ideal for combining a Batwa cultural experience in Uganda with a Maasai encounter in Kenya or gorilla trekking in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park.

• Requirements: Similar to the single-entry visa, including a passport, photo, itinerary, accommodation proof, and yellow fever certificate.
• Application: Apply online through the same e-Immigration portal or at the embassies of Uganda, Kenya, or Rwanda. Present the approval letter at the first port of entry to receive the visa stamp.
• Benefits: Simplifies travel across the three countries, reducing paperwork and costs for multi-destination trips.

Other Visa Types

• Business Visa: Requires an invitation letter from a Ugandan host detailing the purpose of the visit (e.g., meetings or conferences).
• Study Visa: Needs a school admission letter.
• Transit Visa: For stays of seven days or less, requiring proof of onward travel.
• Diplomatic/Official Visas: For diplomatic passport holders, requiring a diplomatic note. 

Practical Tips

• Apply early to avoid delays, as processing can take 7–10 days.
• Check with the Ugandan Embassy (e.g., in Washington, DC, at 202-726-7100) or the Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control (+256 414 595 945) for updates, as immigration policies may change.
• Ensure your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your departure date to avoid entry issues.

Health and Vaccination Requirements

Uganda’s tropical climate and diverse ecosystems make health precautions critical, especially for diseases like yellow fever, malaria, and others prevalent in the region. Below are the key health requirements and recommendations for 2025.

Yellow Fever Vaccination

• Requirement: Proof of yellow fever vaccination is mandatory for all travelers aged one year and older entering Uganda. You must carry an International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP), issued by an approved yellow fever vaccination center at least 10 days before arrival, as the vaccine takes time to become effective.

• Why It’s Needed: Yellow fever, a viral disease spread by Aedes mosquitoes, is endemic in Uganda, with a high risk across all regions, including urban areas like Kampala. The vaccine provides lifelong immunity for most individuals, though some African countries may still require a booster every 10 years for entry.

• Exemptions: Children under nine months or individuals with medical contraindications (e.g., weakened immune systems) may obtain an exemption certificate from a yellow fever vaccination center. Without a valid certificate or exemption, you may be denied entry or quarantined.

• Practical Tip: Visit a travel health clinic 6–8 weeks before travel to get vaccinated and obtain your ICVP. If you’ve lost your certificate, contact the vaccination center for a replacement, as lot numbers and expiration dates must be recorded.

Malaria Prophylaxis

Risk: Malaria, caused by Plasmodium parasites (primarily P. falciparum), is a high risk throughout Uganda, including cities like Kampala, Kigezi, and Mbale, with peaks from March–May and September–November. Uganda ranks third globally for malaria cases, with over 5.7 million cases annually.

Prophylaxis: Antimalarial medications are strongly recommended for all travelers. Options include:

• Atovaquone-proguanil (Malarone): Preferred for its fewer side effects and daily dosing.
• Doxycycline: Daily, cost-effective, but may cause photosensitivity.
• Mefloquine: Weekly, but potential neurological side effects.
• Tafenoquine: Weekly, but requires a G6PD deficiency test to avoid hemolysis.

Consultation: Consult a travel health specialist 6 weeks before travel to choose the best option based on your itinerary, medical history, and trip duration. Start prophylaxis before entering Uganda, continue during your stay, and complete the course after leaving.

Mosquito Bite Prevention: Since no prophylaxis is 100% effective, use DEET-based repellents (50%), wear long sleeves and pants, sleep under insecticide-treated nets, and choose accommodations with air conditioning or mesh screens. Avoid mosquito breeding grounds like swamps.

Other Recommended Vaccinations

The CDC and WHO recommend additional vaccinations to protect against common diseases in Uganda:

• Typhoid: Spread through contaminated food and water. A shot (lasting 2 years) or oral vaccine (lasting 5 years) is advised.
• Hepatitis A: Transmitted via food and water, recommended for most travelers.
• Polio: A one-time booster is advised due to circulating poliovirus in Uganda.
• Meningococcal Meningitis: Recommended for travel during the dry season (December–June), as Uganda is in the African Meningitis Belt.
• Hepatitis B: Advised for long-term travelers, healthcare workers, or those engaging in activities risking blood or bodily fluid exposure.
• Rabies: Recommended for travelers visiting remote areas or interacting with animals, as rabies is prevalent in Uganda.
• MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella): Ensure you’ve had two doses for lifelong immunity, given global measles outbreaks.
• Other: Consider vaccines for cholera, chikungunya, influenza, pneumonia, chickenpox, shingles, and Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) based on your itinerary and health status.

Other Health Risks and Precautions

• Chikungunya, Dengue, and Zika: Mosquito-borne diseases with no vaccines. Prevent bites using repellents and protective clothing. Pregnant women should consult a doctor due to Zika’s risk of birth defects.
• Schistosomiasis (Bilharzia): Avoid swimming or wading in freshwater lakes and rivers, as this parasitic infection is prevalent.
• Ebola: No active outbreaks as of 2025, but maintain rigorous hand hygiene and avoid contact with sick individuals. Health screenings may occur at borders or Entebbe Airport.
• Traveler’s Diarrhea: Use bottled or boiled water, avoid raw or undercooked food, and carry loperamide and antibiotics for severe cases.
• Altitude Sickness: Relevant for high-altitude areas like the Rwenzori Mountains or Bwindi. Acclimatize gradually and consider medication.

Practical Tips

• Visit a travel health clinic 6–8 weeks before departure for a personalized risk assessment.
• Ensure travel insurance covers medical evacuation, as facilities outside Kampala are limited.
• Carry a basic medical kit with antimalarials, loperamide, and insect repellent.

Additional Travel Considerations

Safety and Security

• Travel Advisories: The U.S. State Department advises reconsidering travel due to crime, terrorism, and laws targeting sexual orientation. Exercise caution in crowded areas and avoid protests, especially with elections in 2026.
• LGBTQIA+ Travelers: Uganda’s 2023 Anti-Homosexuality Act poses risks, including imprisonment or harassment. Avoid public displays of affection and exercise discretion.
• Local Laws: Respect cultural norms, as same-sex relationships are illegal, and public demonstrations may lead to arrests.

Practical Preparations

• Currency: Carry cash (Ugandan Shillings or USD), as card payments are limited outside tourist areas.
• Transportation: Roads vary in quality; use official taxis or public transport. Motor vehicle crashes are a leading risk, so stay vigilant.
• Packing: Bring lightweight clothing, sturdy shoes, a hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, and a valid yellow fever card. Neutral colors are ideal for safaris.
• Emergency Contacts: The U.S. Embassy in Kampala is at Plot 1577 Ggaba Road (phone: +256 414 306 001). The national emergency number is 999.