COVID-19 Precautionary Measures in Uganda (19 July Update)

Can a resident enter the country?

• Yes

• Citizens and residents are allowed to enter the country.

Can a foreigner enter the country?

• Yes with exceptions.

• Foreigners are allowed to enter the country.

• Passengers who have travelled to India in the previous 14 days will not be allowed to enter Uganda, unless they are citizens returning home.

Is a test required on arrival?

• No with exceptions

• Arriving passengers will undergo health screening and have their temperature checked. Passengers showing signs or symptoms of any infectious disease will be taken to an isolation centre to undergo a COVID-19 test at their own expense and remain there until they receive their test report which can take 24 to 48 hours.

• All travellers from India (Category 1), and the United Kingdom, Ethiopia, Kenya, South Africa, South Sudan, Tanzania, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States (Category 2) will be required to undergo PCR COVID-19 testing on arrival, including at Entebbe International Airport. Fully vaccinated passengers are exempted from this requirement.

Is a test certificate accepted?

• Yes

• A COVID-19 PCR test certificate for a test conducted in a different country is accepted.

Test certificate required?

• Yes

• All travellers arriving or departing in/from Uganda will need to have a COVID-19 negative test certificate issued within the last 72 hours prior to travel. The certificates must indicate TRAVEL for the intended purpose of the test.

• Children below the age of three are exempt and are permitted to travel through Entebbe airport without a negative PCR test certificate.

Is quarantine required on arrival?

• No with exceptions

• Arriving foreign nationals who have a negative COVID-19 PCR test result done by an accredited laboratory will not be required to undergo mandatory quarantine unless they exhibit signs or symptoms of any infectious disease, or mandatorily test on arrival. In this case, they will be moved to an isolation centre and must remain there until the results of the COVID-19 test are known.

• Returning Ugandan citizens with a negative COVID-19 PCR test certificate will be allowed to return home.

• Based on the above restrictions, incoming travellers are not required to go through quarantine unless they exhibit signs or symptoms of any infectious disease or do not have the negative COVID-19 PCR test certificate.

Entry form required?

• No

• Entry form is not required.

Recommended Border App

• No

• Currently, no COVID-19 tracing app has been recommended.

Is vaccination required?

• No

• A vaccination for COVID-19 is not required for entry into the country.

Insurance required?

• No

• Proof of insurance coverage for COVID-19 expenses is not required to enter the country.

Airline restrictions

• Moderate

• Entebbe Airport is open and international flight operations to and from Uganda have resumed.

• Flight services to and from India remain suspended.

• Arrivals and departures from Entebbe International Airport are only allowed to be picked up or dropped off by a maximum of two people, including the driver. Vehicles with more than the permitted number of people will not be allowed to access the airport.

Border restrictions

• Moderate

• Land borders remain open for cargo and registered tourist vehicles only.

Curfew restrictions

• Moderate

• There is a nationwide lockdown for 42 days in effect from 18 June until 2 August.

• There is an overnight curfew in place from 19:00 to 05:30 (local time). Passengers travelling on flights departing during curfew hours will be allowed to travel to the airport upon presentation of a valid ticket.

Social restrictions

• Significant

• All public gatherings, other than those related to Uganda’s legislative or judicial processes, have been banned until 22 July 2021.

Internal travel restrictions

• Significant

• Private and public transportation services remain banned until 30 July.

• Travel between Kampala, Wakiso, and Mukono is allowed, but not between other districts.

• Cargo vehicles, registered tourist vehicles, and vehicles for any essential purposes are allowed to operate.

• Boda-Bodas (motorcycle taxis) services are allowed to carry only cargo and must stop operating by 17:00 (local time).

Non-essential shops open?

• No with exceptions

• Food markets and retail shops (including pharmacies) are open.

• Other service sectors must remain closed until 30 July.

Accommodations open?

• Yes

• Hotels are open.

Restaurants open?

• Yes

• Restaurants are operating. Food delivery services are also available outside curfew hours.

Bars and cafes open?

• No

• Bars are closed.

Beaches and tourism sites open?

• No

• Domestic tourism sites are closed.

*Personal care services open? *

• Yes

• Salons, gyms, and massage parlours are open.

Places of worship open?

• No

• Places of worship are closed.

Events allowed?

• Yes

• Marriages and funerals are allowed but with a maximum of 20 attendees.

Masks required in public?

• Yes

• Wearing a face mask is mandatory in public places and on public transport for everyone 6 years of age and older.

Other

• Dance halls are closed.

• Sports events are prohibited until 30 July.

• Schools and any other educational institutes are closed until 30 July.

The COVID-19 epidemic is constantly changing worldwide. Travel and border restrictions may change with little or no notice. Airlines may have their own requirements for testing, masking, and distancing. It is recommended that travellers carry a supply of face masks since the requirement can vary by location. It is recommended that travellers practice social distancing, maintain a 6-foot distance from other individuals and avoid crowded areas. Check with your airline, booking agent, or country's embassy for information on your specific travel plans.