(Posted 06th June 2026)
As of 13.00 hrs / 1 pm today UAE time have the United Arab Emirat4es stopped, with immediate effect, the issuance of Visa to citizens and residents of countries presently subjected to an Ebola outbreak. This includes Congo DR, South Sudan and notable Uganda.
The implications are stark as Ugandans and Ugandan residents will not get any Visa to travel to either Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah or any other airports within the UAE. Gulf neighbours are reportedly also considering a similar measure, which would catapult Uganda’s tourism industry back to COVID 19 lockdown days.
It is not presently known how Uganda Airlines, Emirates and FlyDubai are reacting to the UAE government directive as travel to the UAE from Uganda is for all practical purposes now almost impossible.
UAE entry restrictions – effective 6 June 2026, 1:00 PM Dubai time (until further notice)
The UAE will not allow entry to travellers who have recently been in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, or South Sudan, unless the traveller has been outside of these countries for more than 21 days.
Travellers who are transiting through the UAE are required to comply with the travel entry measures of their final destination.
The entry and transit restrictions apply to all travellers, even those arriving by indirect routings.
