The Ugandan Embassy in Abu Dhabi has dismissed claims circulating on social media that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) plans to ban tourist and work visas for Ugandans starting in 2026.
The rumours, first posted on an unverified website, sparked anxiety among travellers and among the more than 150,000 Ugandans working legally in the Gulf nation.
Uganda’s ambassador to the UAE, Zaake Wanume Kibedi, moved quickly to set the record straight. In a statement released through the Government of Uganda’s official X account, he stressed: “There has been no official statement from the Government of the United Arab Emirates communicating restrictions or a ban on visa issuance to Ugandan nationals.”
He added, “Neither has Uganda been blacklisted by the UAE as alleged by various sources in the media.”
The ambassador explained that visa applications are assessed individually under UAE immigration law. “Where denials might occur,” he said, “these are entirely based on individual circumstances and not on nationality. I wish to state that the allegations of visa ban are unfounded.”
Kibedi confirmed that neither the UAE embassy in Kampala nor his own mission in Abu Dhabi had received any formal notification of a visa suspension. He underlined that Uganda remained committed to protecting its workers abroad and strengthening ties with the UAE.
“As a Mission,” he noted, “we continue to engage with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in cases where concerns have been raised by the diaspora. We remain committed to creating awareness… in particular the immigration laws.”
The statement comes amid heightened public scrutiny following a recent BBC investigation, Death in Dubai, which detailed alleged sex-trafficking networks involving Ugandans in the UAE. The film focused on the death of 23-year-old Monic Karungi in 2022, raising troubling questions about exploitation.
Addressing the issue, Ambassador Kibedi acknowledged ongoing inquiries. “There is a case of human trafficking and action has been taken by the authorities of the United Arab Emirates. Investigations are ongoing but to avoid jeopardising the process we shall revert with detailed information at an appropriate time.”
He urged the public to avoid spreading unverified information that could harm bilateral relations. “The apparent vibrant and strong bilateral relations… have facilitated increased economic and commercial gains for both Uganda and the United Arab Emirates,” he said.
Uganda’s ties with the UAE have deepened significantly in recent years. The number of Ugandans living and working there has grown from 40,000 in 2018 to 160,000 today. Remittances rose from US$50 million in 2018 to US$350 million in 2024, while bilateral trade now stands at US$2.85 billion, making the UAE Uganda’s top export market.
