Government has listed 40 countries where Ugandan travelers are exempted from paying visa fees.
This means that also travelers from the listed countries don’t need to apply for a visa to access Uganda. This equally applies to travelling refugees.
“Several holders of convention travel documents (CTD) have been applying for visas on our system www.visas.immigration.go.ug and paying $50 (about Shs186,000) yet they are from visa exempt countries. Some are denied the chance to board airlines without visa approvals for Uganda,” a press statement from the Internal Affairs Ministry last Friday reads in part.
“This communication serves to inform all stakeholders that visa exemption is on the nationality and not the travel document one holds. This implies that all CTD holders from visa exempt countries do not need pre-approved visas or authorization,” it adds.
A convention travel document is issued to refugees who are registered in accordance with the UN convention of refugees and is issued by the respective countries where the individual is a refugee.
The nationality of the holder does not cease upon acquisition of a CTD.
Mr Simon Mundeyi, the spokesperson for Internal Affairs ministry, yesterday said some countries like Iceland have their own requirements. For example, one needs to first book a hotel before travelling.
According to ministry, one will not need to pay $50 to travel to the 40 listed countries.
“The nationals of such countries do not need to apply for visas to come to Uganda,” Mr Mundeyi said.
List of countries with visa exemptions
Destinations
Angola
Botswana
Ireland
South Sudan
Eritrea
Malawi
Malaysia
Madagascar
Seychelles
Zambia
Comoros
Kenya
Mauritius
Zimbabwe
Tanzania
Rwanda
Burundi
Antigua
Barbados
Fiji
Grenada
Sierra Leone
United Nations Laissez –passer
Solomon Islands, The Grenadines
Vanuatu
Ghana
Cyprus
Bahamas
Belize
Gambia
Jamaica
Malta
Singapore
St Vincent-Tonga
Trinidad and Tobago
Libya
Hong Kong