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Uganda has been listed among 36 countries facing potential travel restrictions from the United States, as revealed in a recent State Department memo.
The memo, signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, outlines that these nations have 60 days to meet new requirements or face visa bans and other travel restrictions.
Uganda is specifically cited due to concerns over its visa issuance processes and the number of citizens who have overstayed their visas in the U.S.
The list of countries which could face visa restrictions, travel bans,or other restrictions includes 25 countries in Africa: Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Egypt, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Malawi, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
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Several Caribbean nations are on the list as well: Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, and Saint Lucia.
There are also four countries in Asia listed: Bhutan, Cambodia, Kyrgyzstan, and Syria; and three countries in Oceania: Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu
Fake documents warning
In March this year, the U.S. Embassy in Kampala issued a stern warning against using fake documents in visa applications, stressing that such actions lead to permanent bans on entering the United States.
In a statement, the embassy made it clear that submitting falsified documents was considered fraud and carried serious consequences for the applicant.
"If you submit fake documents with your U.S. visa application, you are committing fraud and risking your future," the embassy warned.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio
Other US Actions Against Uganda
This development adds to a series of actions taken by the U.S. against Uganda in recent years.
In December 2023, Uganda was removed from the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), a trade programme that provided duty-free access to the U.S. market for certain Ugandan exports.
The removal was attributed to gross human rights violations, including the enactment of the Anti-Homosexuality Act.
Additionally, in May 2025, the U.S. imposed travel sanctions on five Ugandan officials, including former Deputy Chief of the Uganda People's Defence Forces, Peter Elwelu.
These sanctions were based on allegations of extrajudicial killings committed by Ugandan military forces under their command.
Uncertainty Over Deportation of Third-Country Nationals
According to the US State Department, the 36 countries have a chance to avoid the travel restrictions if they are willing to accept third-country nationals being removed from the United States.
The State Department has indicated that cooperation in this regard could influence the imposition of travel bans.
However, it remains unclear whether Uganda is open to such arrangements. In the past, Uganda has expressed openness to accepting deportees from European Union countries, but no official statement has been made concerning the acceptance of U.S. deportees.
Implications for Ugandans
If the proposed travel restrictions are implemented, Ugandans seeking to travel to the U.S. could face significant challenges.
The restrictions would likely include the denial of new visa applications and the revocation of existing visas, unless applicants meet specific exemption criteria.