ABU DHABI, UAE – September 19, 2025 – The Embassy of the Republic of Uganda in the United Arab Emirates has officially denied widespread media reports alleging a ban on visa issuance for Ugandan nationals seeking to travel to the UAE.
In a statement released on Thursday, the embassy clarified that there has been no official communication from the UAE government indicating any such restrictions or a blacklist against Uganda.
“We wish to clarify that there has been no official statement from the Government of the United Arab Emirates communicating restrictions or a ban on visa issuance to Ugandan nationals and neither has Uganda been blacklisted by the UAE as alleged by various sources in the media,” the embassy stated.
The embassy reminded the public that visa applications are processed according to the immigration laws and regulations of the host country. It emphasized that each application is assessed individually based on the completeness of documentation and the applicant’s eligibility, implying that any denials are on a case-by-case basis and not the result of a blanket ban.
To underscore the importance of the relationship, the embassy detailed the significant growth in bilateral ties between the two nations since 2018:
· Expatriate Community: The number of Ugandans living and working in the UAE has skyrocketed from 40,000 in 2018 to 160,000 currently.
· Remittances: Personal remittances sent back to Uganda have seen a massive increase, rising from $50 million in 2018 to $350 million in 2024.
· Trade: The UAE has become the leading global destination for Ugandan exports as of October 2024, with a total trade portfolio now valued at $2.85 billion.
· Investment: Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) from the UAE into Uganda has grown from $300 million in 2018 to over $3 billion in 2024, with more than 100 Ugandan companies establishing a presence in the Emirates.
The embassy’s statement suggests that the alleged visa ban is inconsistent with the “vibrant and strong bilateral relations” that have yielded substantial economic and commercial gains for both countries. The clarification aims to quell concerns and correct the narrative presented in recent media publications.
