The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of foreign affairs, Vincent Bagiire has dismissed talk circulating on social media about a potential Uganda Arab Emirates (UAE) Visa ban on Ugandans.
Bagiire, in an interview on 19th September, 2025 reassured Ugandans that the Government of Uganda is closely monitoring the situation, however the rumours should be disregarded.
“The UAE has not written to us. I wonder where the speculation is coming from,” Bagiire said.
According to him, no official communication had been received from Abu Dhabi in regards to the visa ban that has been trending all over social media.
The rumours, which have been circulating since Thursday, 18th September, 2025 have caused widespread concern among Ugandans working in UAE.
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Currently, over 100,000 Ugandans are employed in the UAE’s domestic services, retail, and hospitality sectors. These worker’s remittances have contributed more than USD 300 million to Uganda’s economy.
In a phone interview, UAE Ambassador to Uganda Abdalla Hassan Alshamsi, described the claims as unfounded. “What is circulating out there is false,” he stated.
These speculations follow public reaction caused by a recent BBC investigation alleging a sex-trafficking ring in Dubai involving Ugandan national Charles “Abbey” Mwesigwa.
While the investigations raise concerns, both Ugandan and UAE governments distance themselves from these ban speculations.
Uganda-UAE Trade Ties
The Uganda National Chamber of Commerce and the Dubai Chamber recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to enhance trade missions, investment promotion, and policy cooperation. The Sharjah Chamber of Commerce has likewise partnered with Uganda in organizing trade and investment forums, with a focus on industrial growth.
Additionally, Uganda as well signed a deal with UAE based Alpha MBM Investments to co-develop a USD 4 billion oil refinery project, the government signed an agreement with UAE investors to construct Uganda’s third international airport near Kidepo National Park which upon completion it’s a strategic move expected to boost both tourism and regional connectivity.
With steady remittance flows, large-scale projects, and growing private-sector collaboration, Uganda’s ties with the UAE continue to yield dividends both for economic growth and for the livelihoods of thousands of Ugandans abroad.
