The United Arab Emirates has dismissed claims that it has blocked Ugandans from getting visas, saying the reports spreading online are false.
Abdalla Hassan AlShamsi, the UAE ambassador to Uganda, explained in an interview that there is no official communication about such a ban. He stressed that Ugandans are still free to apply for visas as long as they meet the requirements.
This comes after social media and some media outlets suggested that starting January 2026, the UAE would stop issuing visas to Ugandan nationals. The news caused concern, especially since the UAE is one of the top destinations for Ugandan migrant workers. More than 100,000 Ugandans are already employed there, many in domestic and service jobs.
Uganda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs also confirmed that it has not received any official notice from the UAE government. Permanent Secretary Vincent Bagiire said both the UAE embassy in Kampala and authorities in Abu Dhabi had not communicated any visa freeze. He added, however, that applicants who fail to meet visa standards can still be denied entry.
This is not the first time such concerns have been raised. In 2022, the UAE suspended 30-day visit visas for Ugandans and citizens from 20 other countries. Though no reason was given at the time, sources said the move was aimed at reducing overstays by visitors who abused travel privileges.
The latest rumours spread at a time when a BBC investigation exposed a worrying case involving Ugandan women in Dubai. The report revealed that a Ugandan national, Charles Mwesigwa, was allegedly running a sex exploitation network, offering women for sex parties at high fees. The scandal has drawn more attention to the safety of migrant workers abroad.
For now, both the UAE government and Uganda’s Foreign Affairs Ministry maintain that there is no visa ban in place. Ugandans can still apply for work and travel visas, but authorities remind applicants to meet all the necessary requirements to avoid disappointment.
