Uganda Opens Visa-Free Access With Egypt and UAE for Diplomatic Passport Holders
Good news is coming out of Kampala for those who work closely with government and official delegations moving between Africa and the Middle East. Uganda's Ministry of Internal Affairs has confirmed fresh visa-free agreements with both Egypt and the United Arab Emirates, a development that could signal wider changes ahead for travel between these nations.
Starting with the Uganda-Egypt arrangement, citizens of both countries who hold diplomatic or official passports may now cross borders freely without needing to apply for a visa beforehand. This is a notable shift, as previously even diplomats had to go through the visa process to enter Egypt. A ministry spokesperson explained that this step is designed to make government-level travel smoother and to encourage stronger trade ties between the two nations. It is worth noting, however, that ordinary passport holders are not yet covered by this deal. Officials confirmed that talks are still ongoing to possibly extend the benefit to regular travellers in the future.
The agreement with the UAE follows a similar structure. Holders of diplomatic, official and special passports from the Emirates can now enter Uganda without a visa, and the same privilege applies to Ugandan diplomatic and official passport holders visiting the UAE. This particular arrangement came into effect on 10 February 2026, making it one of the freshest bilateral travel deals on the continent.
For professionals in the African travel industry, these developments matter beyond just the diplomatic community. Bilateral visa agreements between countries often begin at the official level before being expanded to include ordinary passport holders. When that happens, it can unlock significant new demand for flights, hotel bookings and ground services. Egypt and the UAE are both major travel hubs that connect Africa with Europe, Asia and the rest of the Middle East, so any easing of travel restrictions between these countries and an East African market like Uganda deserves close attention.
The ministry also used the same briefing to address some internal changes and security matters. Two senior figures from the Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control have been recalled to headquarters. Major General Apollo Kasita Goa, who served as Chief of Citizenship and Immigration Control, and Johnson Namanya, responsible for citizenship and passport management, were both appointed in 2018 and have now been called back by the Uganda People's Defence Forces. Ministry officials praised their contributions, especially in clearing a large backlog of passport applications that had built up over time, and reassured the public that operations would continue without interruption.
In a more concerning development, security agencies in Soroti East Division arrested a woman who was found carrying 261 passports, certificates of good conduct and yellow fever cards. Her identity has not been made public while the investigation is underway. Authorities described the arrest as part of a wider effort to fight document fraud and protect the credibility of Uganda's travel and identification systems. This kind of crackdown is important for the entire region, as fraudulent travel documents can undermine trust in a country's passport and lead to tighter controls being imposed by destination countries.
The ministry also took the opportunity to warn the public about individuals posing as immigration officials and offering fake services. Ugandans were urged to always verify credentials before engaging with anyone claiming to provide immigration assistance.
For those working in the African travel trade, the key takeaway from Kampala is one of cautious optimism. The diplomatic visa-free deals with Egypt and the UAE are a positive step, and if ordinary passport holders are eventually included, the commercial opportunities could be substantial. Keep a close watch on how these negotiations develop in the months ahead.
