Uganda has officially been removed from the European Union’s (EU) list of high-risk countries that were seen as having weak controls against money laundering and the financing of terrorism.
This marks a major step forward for Uganda in gaining international trust and attracting investment.
The update was announced on June 10, 2025, in a press release by the European Commission.It confirmed that Uganda is no longer on the list of countries requiring increased monitoring. The EU had previously listed Uganda as a high-risk jurisdiction, but after improvements in its financial systems, it has now been cleared.
“A number of third-country jurisdictions were delisted (Barbados, Gibraltar, Jamaica, Panama, the Philippines, Senegal, Uganda, and the United Arab Emirates),” the European Commission stated.
The changes are part of the EU’s efforts to fight financial crimes globally by keeping a close watch on countries that are not fully following international rules. The EU works closely with the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), the international body that sets global standards for fighting money laundering and terrorism financing.
“Alignment with FATF is important for upholding the EU’s commitment to promoting and implementing global standards,” the Commission explained.
Before making the changes, the EU carried out a deep technical review and visited the listed countries to see how they were improving. Uganda’s removal shows that it met the requirements and is now seen as more reliable in handling financial transactions.
“Following a thorough technical assessment and after listening carefully to the concerns expressed around its last proposal, the Commission has now presented an update… which reiterates our strong commitment to aligning with international standards,” said Maria Luís Albuquerque, EU Commissioner for Financial Services.
“We trust that the co-legislators will move swiftly to endorse this important step,” Commissioner Albuquerque added.
The update is part of the EU’s 4th Anti-Money Laundering Directive (4AMLD), which guides how and when the high-risk list should be reviewed. The new regulation will officially take effect after one month, following review by the European Parliament and Council.
