International Restrictions:
*Entry to Uganda: As of 3 September 2021 new COVID-19 measures are in place at all points of entry including Entebbe International Airport.
All arriving passengers are required to provide a negative COVID-19 test certificate issued no more than 72 hours before boarding the aircraft to Uganda or crossing land borders. Foreign nationals without a valid negative test certificate will be denied entry. Until 3 September children aged three and under are exempt when accompanying parents arrive with a negative test certificate.
Travellers from the United Kingdom, Ethiopia, India, Kenya, South Africa, South Sudan, Tanzania, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates and the United States who enter Uganda before 3 September are also required to undergo PCR testing at the border at their own expense, including at Entebbe International Airport. This applies unless they have received their full COVID-19 vaccination, can provide evidence of this and show no COVID-19 symptoms.
From 3 September all travellers (including children aged three and under), irrespective of country of origin or vaccination status, will be required to provide a negative COVID-19 test certificate on arrival and additionally undergo PCR testing (at their own expense) on arrival at all points of entry including at Entebbe International Airport.
The cost of the PCR test on arrival is $65. Passengers who arrive by air will be taken from the airport to a nearby testing site. Test results will take up to 4 hours. Travellers have the option of waiting at the testing site for their results or checking into a designated hotel at their own expense. Adults over the age of 18 who test positive will be taken to a Ministry of Health designated COVID-19 isolation facility. Children under 18 who test positive will be allowed to undergo home quarantine with their parent or guardian.
From 20 August 2021 passengers who have been in India in the previous 14 days are permitted entry into Uganda and are also subject to the measures above.
Passengers arriving or departing from Entebbe International Airport can only be picked up or dropped off by a maximum of two people, including the driver, in order to avoid crowding.
Vehicles with more than the authorised number of people will not be allowed access to the airport.
You should arrange to take a private test.
*Demonstrating your COVID-19 vaccination status: You should follow the entry rules for unvaccinated people. Your appointment card from vaccination centres is not designed to be used as proof of vaccination.
*Testing/Screening on arrival: Arriving passengers will be subject to temperature checks and will be screened for infectious diseases by the Port Health authorities. If a passengers shows signs or symptoms of any infectious disease they will taken by ambulance to a local isolation centre to undergo a COVID-19 test at their own cost. Test results will be returned within 24 to 48 hours; passengers will be expected to remain at the isolation centre until the test results are returned.
If a foreign national tests positive for COVID-19 and wishes to be repatriated for treatment outside of Uganda, they will be expected to cover the costs themselves.
*Testing / screening on departure: Departing passengers are required to present a negative COVID-19 PCR test certificate, issued no more than 72 hours before travel. The 72 hours begins on the day the sample is collected for testing. Children aged three and under are exempt when accompanying parents have a negative test certificate.
COVID-19 tests taken for the purpose of travel outside of Uganda have to be paid for, even if the test is taken at a government testing centre. From 23 November 2020, all COVID-19 test certificates issued in Uganda must indicate the intended purpose of the test. Only test certificates which state travel as the intended purpose will be valid for departure from Uganda. Test certificates which state contact or alert will not be valid for travel.
There are a number of public and private COVID-19 test centres in Uganda. For further information, please see the government
COVID-19 Response website.
Departing passengers will be required to wear a face mask inside the terminal and will be subject to temperature checks. Social distancing will also be in place and only passengers with valid tickets and airport officials will be allowed into the terminal building. Passengers are advised to arrive at the airport at least 4 hours before departure.
Passengers travelling on flights departing during curfew hours (7pm to 5:30am) will be allowed to travel to the airport upon presentation of a valid ticket.
Internal Restrictions:
*Travel in Uganda: It is mandatory for everyone aged 6 or above to wear a face mask when outside your house. Further guidance is available from the Ministry of Health website.
As of 30 July the curfew remains extended from 7pm to 5:30am. Passengers travelling on flights departing during curfew hours (7pm to 5:30am) will be allowed to travel to the airport upon presentation of a valid ticket.
From 31 July 2021, Inter-District travel by private vehicle is now allowed when carrying a maximum of 3 persons including the driver. From 2 August 2021, Public transport will reopen but will operate at 50% capacity and will adhere to COVID guidance, including no usage of air conditioning. This decision will be reviewed every 2 weeks so you should regularly check local advice.
From 31 July 2021, Boda bodas (motorbike taxis) will be allowed to move up to 6pm and will be permitted to carry cargo or one passenger at any time. Masks must be worn by the rider and passenger.
*Accommodation: Hotels and restaurants are open with social distancing measures in place and food delivery services remain operational outside of curfew hours though may be impacted by the 6pm restriction on motorbikes and mopeds. As of the 6 June, lodges may remain open but must close their bar.
*Public places and services: As of 18 June 2021, food markets and retail shops (including pharmacies) may remain open.From 31 July 2021, malls, arcades and other business centres can open under strict adherence to COVID guidance. Outdoor sports events are allowed but without spectators and mandatory testing within 72 hours of the event for players and officials. Indoor sports activities including gyms remain closed.
Bars and night clubs are specifically prohibited from operating. On 6 June, the Government stated that house parties are banned. Other entertainment venues such as cinemas, casinos, and theatres remain closed.
Conferences, workshops and seminars: These remain banned except with explicit permission from the Ministry of Health and related Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs). Numbers will be restricted and testing will be carried out.
Places of worship remain closed for 60 days from 30 July 2021. Marriages and funerals are permitted but with a maximum of 20 attendees and must observe COVID rules strictly. As of 30 July 2021, all schools and other educational institutions remain closed.
