Tourism entrepreneur Amos Wekesa has raised concerns over travel restrictions affecting Ugandan travellers to several international destinations, warning that the measures could hurt business, tourism and cross-border economic activity.
Wekesa questioned the rationale behind restrictions imposed by countries including India, the United States, Canada, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, particularly where citizens from those countries continue to travel to Uganda.
His comments followed the recent resumption of visa services by India for Ugandan nationals. India restored regular visa and e-Visa services for Ugandan passport holders on September 9 after Uganda was declared Ebola-free.
Wekesa acknowledged the intervention by Uganda's Ambassador to India, Adonia Ayebare, but questioned why Ugandans had faced restrictions in the first place.
“Hon @adoniaayebare engaged India to open for Ugandans to travel to India recently. Good job but why had India blocked Ugandans travelling to India?”
He also pointed to restrictions affecting travel to North America. The United States currently maintains a Level 4 “Do Not Travel” advisory for Uganda, citing crime, health, terrorism and unrest.
Canada has also introduced temporary Ebola-related border measures affecting travellers who have been in Uganda. The measures were extended to September 28, 2026, according to the Canadian government.
Wekesa said the restrictions were creating difficulties for Ugandans seeking to travel for business and other purposes.
“So Ugandans are going to neighboring countries to try and travel, business can’t happen between us and those countries yet we import from those countries.”
He further questioned what he described as an imbalance in travel arrangements between Uganda and countries restricting Ugandan travellers.
“Dubai had locked us out as well but their people can come freely in and out of Uganda, I don’t get this?”
Wekesa warned that continued restrictions could have wider economic consequences, particularly for businesses dependent on international travel, tourism and trade