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Uganda, UAE in talks to lift travel restrictions
Sheikh Shakhboot also reiterated that the UAE considers Uganda an important ally and is keen to find a quick solution to the matter. The details were contained in a statement released by the Uganda Media Centre.
Ambassador Adonia Ayebare
By: John Musenze, Journalist @New Vision
DIPLPMACY
Uganda and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are holding discussions to resolve travel restrictions affecting Ugandans, with health officials from the two countries maintaining regular contact to address outstanding issues.
The development follows a telephone conversation on August 24, 2026, between foreign affairs minister Ambassador Adonia Ayebare and Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan Al Nahyan, the UAE Minister of State for African Affairs.
According to Ayebare, the two sides acknowledged that the restrictions are technical in nature and committed to working closely to resolve them.
Sheikh Shakhboot also reiterated that the UAE considers Uganda an important ally and is keen to find a quick solution to the matter. The details were contained in a statement released by the Uganda Media Centre.
The restrictions were introduced by the UAE in June following the outbreak of Ebola in Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and South Sudan.
The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs advised its nationals and residents against travelling to Uganda, the DRC and South Sudan unless absolutely necessary because of the evolving Ebola situation.
Sheikh Shakhboot also reiterated that the UAE considers Uganda an important ally and is keen to find a quick solution to the matter. The details were contained in a statement released by the Uganda Media Centre.
The restrictions were introduced by the UAE in June following the outbreak of Ebola in Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and South Sudan.
The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs advised its nationals and residents against travelling to Uganda, the DRC and South Sudan unless absolutely necessary because of the evolving Ebola situation.
Additional entry measures introduced from June 6 affected travellers who had recently been in Uganda, the DRC or South Sudan. Those who had spent more than 21 consecutive days outside the affected countries were exempted from the measures.
Uganda, however, declared its Ebola outbreak over on July 28 after completing the World Health Organisation-recommended 42-day period without new local infections.
The country recorded 20 confirmed Ebola cases during the outbreak, including two deaths.
Uganda has since been lobbying countries to lift Ebola-related travel measures against the country, arguing that continued restrictions could affect travel, trade and other economic activities.
The latest discussions with the UAE signal efforts by both sides to resolve the restrictions following Uganda's declaration that the outbreak had ended.
Uganda, however, declared its Ebola outbreak over on July 28 after completing the World Health Organisation-recommended 42-day period without new local infections.
The country recorded 20 confirmed Ebola cases during the outbreak, including two deaths.
Uganda has since been lobbying countries to lift Ebola-related travel measures against the country, arguing that continued restrictions could affect travel, trade and other economic activities.
The latest discussions with the UAE signal efforts by both sides to resolve the restrictions following Uganda's declaration that the outbreak had ended.