Uganda is reportedly one of 36 countries being considered for new U.S. travel restrictions, according to a confidential memo from the U.S. State Department cited by The Washington Post.
The document is part of a broader effort by former President Donald Trump’s administration to intensify immigration control by expanding the travel ban policy.
Signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and dated Saturday, the memo gives countries 60 days to meet specific U.S. standards related to identity verification and security procedures or risk facing either full or partial visa bans.
Click here to join our WhatsApp Group and Receive Daily News
Uganda is among 25 African nations on the list, which also includes Egypt, Nigeria, Ethiopia, and Tanzania, alongside several countries in Central Asia, the Caribbean, and the Pacific.
The memo outlines U.S. concerns about weak civil documentation, frequent visa overstays, and programs that grant citizenship through investment with minimal residency requirements.
It also cites concerns about individuals from some countries engaging in antisemitic or anti-American behavior while in the United States.
Should these restrictions be implemented, Ugandan nationals could face greater hurdles in securing U.S. visas—potentially disrupting access to healthcare, education, and business opportunities.
Many Ugandans, including political and business leaders, travel to the U.S. for specialized medical treatment, including advanced diagnostics, maternal care, and cancer services, which are often limited locally.
The United States is also a leading destination for Ugandan students pursuing postgraduate studies and academic scholarships.
If access becomes restricted, Ugandans may increasingly turn to alternatives like Canada, the UK, or Asia.
In addition, Ugandans frequently travel to the U.S. for conferences, tourism, trade missions, and to visit relatives.
Uganda and the U.S. have also maintained close ties through military partnerships, development aid, and health programs, many of which rely on travel for training and exchange.
The memo sets a deadline of Wednesday at 8 a.m. (1200 GMT) for countries to submit plans addressing gaps in passport security, data sharing, and border management.
This proposal follows a June 4 presidential proclamation that reinstated full travel bans on 13 countries and imposed partial restrictions on seven others.
If enacted, the policy could represent one of the most sweeping expansions of U.S. visa restrictions in history.
Other African countries named in the memo include Malawi, Liberia, Cameroon, and Zimbabwe.
While enforcement details remain uncertain, nations that fail to comply with U.S. demands could soon face new travel and visa limitations.
Just last week, the U.S. imposed a complete travel ban on citizens from 12 nations, including Somalia and Sudan, while seven others, among them Burundi, were added to a list for partial restrictions.
Also Read: Amama Mbabazi’s Daughter Wanted Over Unpaid Shs 450m Loan
