Uganda has announced a temporary policy allowing visas on arrival for travelers, following technical difficulties in its electronic visa (e-Visa) application system. The malfunction, stemming from a system upgrade, has rendered online visa services inaccessible, which has prompted Uganda Airlines to permit visa-prone travelers enroute to Uganda to board flights without prior e-Visa approval.
While addressing journalists on Monday, October 7, 2024, during the weekly presser at the Police Headquarters in Naguru, Simon Mundeyi, the Ministry of Internal Affairs spokesperson, said that the temporary visa exemptions will be effective until the visa system is restored.
“This temporary measure is designed to minimize travel disruptions while we work on restoring the e-Visa system,” Mundeyi said.
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He, however, added that travelers will still be required to meet standard visa requirements and provide the necessary documentation upon entry, facilitated by the Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control at the various entry points, including Entebbe International Airport, the Malaba border, Busia, Katuna, and other designated areas.
The temporary visa-on-arrival policy affects various categories of travelers, including tourists, business visitors, and diplomats. As airlines have been notified to accommodate these changes, travelers are advised to prepare for potential delays at immigration checkpoints due to the manual processing of visas.
