This information is for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK. It is based on the UK government’s understanding of Uganda’s current rules for the most common types of travel.
\n\nThe authorities in Uganda set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the Ugandan High Commission in the UK.
\n\nTo enter Uganda, your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the date you arrive.
\n\nCheck with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.
\n\nYou will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.
\n\nWhen returning to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. See Dual citizenship.
\n\nYou must have a visa to enter Uganda. Check which visa best fits your needs.
\n\nYou must apply for a Uganda visa online. You will have to attach the required documents and certificates.
\n\nThe immigration authorities will email you a letter of authorisation including a barcode. Print out the letter to show on arrival. Border officials will issue your visa.
\n\nAlternatively, you can take the letter to a Ugandan embassy and they will issue the visa.
\n\nYou can also apply for an East African tourist visa online. This costs 100 US dollars and allows multiple entries into Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda over 90 days.
\n\nIf someone is coming to meet you at Entebbe International Airport, you will have to meet them outside the terminal building. Only passengers with tickets are allowed in the building.
\n\nFor full details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s Uganda guide.
\n\nSome countries have ongoing heightened health screening for travellers from Uganda. Check entry requirements for the country you’re travelling to or transiting.
\n\nOn 27 May, the Ugandan National Task Force on Ebola Virus Disease announced, a closure of the Ugandan border with the Democratic Republic of Congo, with limited exceptions for authorised Ebola response, humanitarian and security personnel.
\n\nCheck with your travel operator for more information.
\n\nThe UK’s Returning Workers Scheme has been activated, due to the outbreak of Ebola. Returning health and humanitarian workers should check the latest at UK’s Returning Workers Scheme before returning to the UK.
\n\nThere are strict rules about goods that can be taken into and out of Uganda. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.
\n","safety_html":"You should also read FCDO’s overall travel advice and regional risks advice.
\n\nThere is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. Stay aware of your surroundings at all times.
\n\nUK Counter Terrorism Policing has information and advice on staying safe and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack. Find out how to reduce your risk from terrorism while abroad.
\n\nTerrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks in Uganda.
\nAttacks could be indiscriminate, including in major cities and places frequented by foreign nationals and tourists, such as:
\n\nStay aware of your surroundings, keep up to date with local media reports and follow the advice of local authorities. The Uganda Police Force regularly issues alerts, particularly around public holidays or religious events.
\n\nConsider whether locations that you visit have effective security arrangements in place, like bag searches, physical security and guards. Avoid large gatherings of any kind in Uganda as these may be targets for an attack.
\n\nPrevious terrorist attacks and disrupted attacks in Uganda have targeted the security forces, places where football matches were being viewed, restaurants, buses, schools, churches, national parks and government buildings.
\n\nThere have been a series of terrorist attacks in areas of western Uganda near to the border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), including in national parks. You should exercise particular caution in these areas and follow the advice of local authorities. Terrorist attacks have also occurred in other parts of the country, including Kampala.
\n\nRecent significant attacks include:
\n\nPresidential and Parliamentary elections last took place in Uganda on 15 January 2026. The Presidential Inauguration Ceremony took place on 12 May 2026.
\n\nElections and political events have led to protests and violence, including fatalities. There has also been disruption to the internet and social media.
\n\nPolitical rallies, protests and violent demonstrations in Uganda:
\n\nThe police have used tear gas, rubber bullets and live ammunition to disperse demonstrators. Avoid all demonstrations and rallies where possible.
\n\nRed and yellow are strongly associated with political parties in Uganda. Consider not wearing these colours around political events.
\n\nIf you get caught up in a political demonstration:
\n\nMake sure you’re familiar with the security procedures at your accommodation.
\n\nCriminals may target tourists who show signs of wealth.
\n\nOrganised crime groups operate in Uganda. However, criminal kidnaps and targeted armed assaults are unlikely to be directed at tourists.
\n\nYou can reduce the risk of being followed and pickpocketed or mugged by:
\n\nCriminals may steal from cars and taxis stopped in traffic. Keep car doors locked and windows shut when driving in towns. Do not leave luggage or valuables in parked vehicles. Do not resist if armed criminals stop you.
\n\nForeign nationals using motorbike taxis (‘boda-bodas’) have been mugged. Some of these incidents have involved violence and the use of weapons.
\n\nTravellers have been drugged and robbed on public transport and in bars. Do not accept food and drink from strangers.
\n\nThere has been an increase in cases of serious illness caused by alcoholic drinks containing methanol in popular travel destinations around the world.
\n\nEven small amounts of methanol can kill. It is not possible to identify methanol in alcoholic drinks by taste or smell. See Travel Aware Spiking and methanol poisoning for information about how to reduce the risks.
\n\nSeek urgent medical attention if you or someone you are travelling with show the signs of methanol poisoning after drinking.
\n\nScammers may target foreign visitors and residents. Be wary of strangers who:
\n\nThe final Saturday of each month, between 7 and 10 am, is a mandatory and nationwide cleaning day.
\n\nAccording to Government of Uganda guidance, Ugandans are expected to clean homes, neighbourhoods, markets, schools, health facilities, places of worship, roads, drainage channels and other public spaces. Foreigners are not the intended participants but may be affected.
\n\nDuring this time, all businesses must close and all non-essential movement of people and vehicles is prohibited. There are exemptions for tourists, international travellers, medical staff, state security actors and journalists. Patients seeking medical attention are allowed to travel to health facilities. Cross border traffic is also exempt.
\n\nThe Ugandan police will enforce the travel restrictions. Anyone travelling under one of the exemptions may be required to identify themselves and explain their circumstances to police officers.
\n\nIt is unclear how widely the restrictions are enforced and what the restrictions mean for UK travellers, including for hotel and airport access. Contact your travel provider for more information.
\n\nOfficials may stop you and ask for ID. Always carry a copy of the photo page of your passport.
\n\nIt is illegal for anyone, including children, to dress in military-style clothing. This includes clothing with marks, badges or symbols and accessories associated with the Ugandan military, camouflage clothing and red berets. The offence carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment when convicted.
\n\nIt is illegal and punishable by a fine and a possible prison sentence to offer money, food or clothing to children living on the streets in Kampala.
\n\nIt is illegal to smoke in:
\n\nElectronic cigarettes and shisha (water-pipe tobacco) are illegal. There are penalties including fines and prison sentences.
\n\nPenalties for illegal drug possession and illegal drug trafficking are severe. The maximum sentence is 20 years for possession and life imprisonment for trafficking.
\n\nIt is forbidden to take photos of military, official or diplomatic sites. This includes Owen Falls Dam at the source of the Nile near Jinja.
\n\nIf you are taking photographs of people, ask their permission first.
\n\nSame-sex sexual activity is illegal in Uganda.
\n\nIn May 2023, Uganda introduced the Anti-Homosexuality Act 2023. This act introduces long prison sentences, and the death penalty in some cases, for same-sex sexual activity. There are also severe penalties for promoting LGBT+ rights.
\n\nSexual activity with someone of the same sex carries the punishment of life imprisonment.
\n\nOffences classed as ’aggravated homosexuality’ carry a sentence up to the death penalty (though the death penalty has not been implemented for civilians in Uganda since 1999). ‘Aggravated homosexuality’ is defined as sexual activity with someone of the same sex who is:
\n\nA person who has a previous conviction of homosexuality or related offences can be charged with aggravated homosexuality for subsequent offences.
\n\nPromoting or supporting homosexuality carries up to a 20-year prison sentence. This includes, but is not limited to:
\n\nThe law could affect those who are exercising their freedoms of expression, peaceful assembly and association, to show support for LGBT+ people and rights.
\n\nAnti-LGBT+ rhetoric by religious leaders, politicians, government officials and the local media can incite homophobia against the LGBT+ community.
\n\nLGBT+ people or those who are perceived to be LGBT+ may be at greater risk of harassment, imprisonment, blackmail and violence from people who view the law as justification for attacks.
\n\nRead more advice for LGBT+ travellers.
\n\nIt’s illegal to buy, sell, kill or capture any protected wild animal or trade its parts without a licence. If you’re caught buying or trafficking such goods you might be prosecuted and get a prison sentence or a fine.
\n\nIf you are planning to drive in Uganda, see information on driving abroad.
\n\nYou can drive in Uganda with a UK driving licence for up to 3 months. For a longer period, you must get a Ugandan driving licence or a 1949 international driving permit (IDP). You cannot buy an IDP outside the UK, so get one before you travel.
\n\nTravelling by road can be hazardous, particularly outside the main cities. Driving standards are poor and the accident rate is high. At night, other road users may be driving without lights and livestock roam across the roads. Accidents regularly happen on the Jinja-Kampala and the Kampala-Masaka roads.
\n\nSpeeding is illegal in Uganda and the police enforce speed limit laws. You could get a fine, a prison sentence or both if caught speeding.
\n\nAvoid travelling outside of the main towns after dark, except on the roads between Kampala and Entebbe International Airport.
\n\nMake sure your vehicle is in good condition and stocked with items you might need in case of a breakdown or other incidents.
\n\nThere have been serious accidents involving Ugandan long-distance bus services. These include:
\n\nCriminals have robbed overnight buses after posing as passengers or blocking the road.
\n\nAvoid using:
\n\nMatatus and boda-bodas are cheap, but they do not meet UK safety standards. They are generally in poor condition, badly driven and often do not have proper insurance. Accidents are common and can be fatal.
\n\nFerry accidents on Lake Albert and Lake Victoria have killed large numbers of passengers in recent years. Overloading of passengers and goods is often the cause.
\n\nYou should:
\n\nFind out what you can do to prepare for and respond to extreme weather and natural hazards.
\n\nLocalised flooding and landslides are common, particularly during the rainy seasons from March to May and October to November.
\n\nUganda is in an earthquake zone. The US Federal Emergency Management Agency website has advice about what to do before, during and after an earthquake.
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