INDIVIDUAL ERROR OR SYSTEMATIC UNWRITTEN POLICY – UGANDA’S IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT MUST ANSWER CLAIMS OF UNDERMINING COMMON TOURIST VISA
(Posted 07th March 2016)
After already being East Africa’s most expensive country to enter, with Visa fees of 100 US Dollars, have now claims emerged that the Ugandan Immigration at Entebbe International Airport is refusing visitors to the country the issue of the common tourist Visa, which was agreed by the NCIP – short for Northern Corridor Integration Projects – countries two years ago to promote increased travel across the region.
Several cases have emerged over the past weeks first registered in disbelief; yet more came to light today when a fellow travel blogger went public after her parents were denied the common Visa as they could reportedly not demonstrate that their travel itinerary included side trips, in this case to Rwanda as they arrived in Entebbe.
Many independent travelers, especially back packers but also those falling into the VFR – short for Visiting Friends and Relatives – category, however often do not have printed tour itineraries but nevertheless wish to visit neighbouring countries under the common Visa arrangement, and those now need to watch out that they are not being fobbed off by Immigration officials on arrival and later on compelled to buy another Visa when crossing the borders to Kenya or Rwanda so that Uganda can pocket the entire 100 US Dollars and not have to share with their neighbours as the agreement provides for.
No such cases are reported from the Kenyan or Rwanda side, seemingly singling out Uganda for what would amount to non compliance with the agreements of the common Visa, which was expressly launched to encourage cross border tours and travel.
It could not be established if this behaviour can be attributed to mischievous individuals working at Immigration at Entebbe or if not it is an unspoken and hitherto hidden new policy by Uganda’s Department of Immigration.
More recently has President Museveni laid into the department for corrupt practices and should the reports received be part of a greater trend, no doubt another nail is driven into the coffin of reputation of the service.
Clarification is now being sought by the tourism industry and individuals have raised the issue with the East Africa Tourism Platform, which has been the main promoter of the common Visa for participating East African countries.
Meanwhile are travelers intent to visit Uganda first before moving on to Rwanda and Kenya advised to provide some form of printed expression of intent, or hotel / travel bookings to substantiate their demand for a common East African tourist Visa and avoid being denied one on flimsy grounds and then compelled to spend more money when crossing the borders.
