Uganda Ends Yellow Fever Certificate Requirement for Entry
Updated: 1 hour ago
KAMPALA, October 5, 2026 — Travelers heading to Uganda can now breathe a sigh of relief. The country has officially eliminated the requirement to present a yellow fever vaccination certificate upon entry, a move that streamlines the arrival process for tourists and business travelers alike.
In an official notice published on October 2, 2026, Uganda's National Citizenship and Immigration Control (NCIC), part of the Ministry of the Interior, announced that the yellow fever vaccination certificate "is no longer required for entry into Uganda."
The authority further explained that the requirement has been eliminated from the official e-Visa application portal and is no longer included in the country's entry requirements.
What Changed
The clarification published by Ugandan authorities is unambiguous: travellers entering Uganda no longer need to present a yellow fever vaccination certificate.
The NCIC further confirmed that this requirement is no longer listed on the official electronic visa application portal nor among the entry requirements presented by the Ugandan immigration administration.
This public announcement follows a clarification addressed a few weeks earlier to the Uganda Tourism Board. In a letter dated August 27, 2026, received by the tourism organization on September 3, the immigration administration responded to a request for clarification made at the end of July and confirmed that the certificate was no longer mandatory to enter the territory.
The change is also visible in the formalities of the Ugandan single-entry tourist visa. The official page dedicated to this visa currently lists, depending on the purpose of the stay, a passport, a recent photograph, the itinerary, and accommodation booking among the required supporting documents. The yellow fever vaccination certificate is no longer listed among the documents required for tourist visa applications.
The Ugandan tourist visa application must be submitted online by visa-required travelers and costs US$50. The issued authorization must be used within 90 days of approval.
A Regional Trend: Following Benin's Lead
Uganda's decision comes on the heels of a similar move by Benin, which recently confirmed the absence of checks on yellow fever vaccination certificates at its points of entry. This suggests a regional shift toward streamlining health formalities at borders while maintaining public health vigilance.
Context: Just Weeks After Ebola Outbreak Ends
This announcement comes just over a month after the official end of the Bundibugyo virus Ebola outbreak in Uganda, declared on August 27, 2026 after 42 days without any new cases .
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) celebrated the conclusion of the outbreak after 42 days passed without a new confirmed case since the last patient, an imported case, was released from care on July 16, 2026.
On May 15, 2026, Uganda reported 20 confirmed Ebola cases linked to the Bundibugyo virus after an outbreak was declared. Of these, fifteen were imported from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and five were contracted locally. Eighteen individuals recovered, while two fatalities were recorded. Over 800 contacts were identified and tracked.
Despite this, health vigilance is maintained at Uganda's borders due to the continuing epidemic in the neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo.
WHO continues to advise against travel and trade restrictions related to Ebola outbreaks, stating it does not recommend suspending flights, closing borders, or denying entry to travelers from affected countries.
Vaccination Still Recommended by WHO
The removal of the requirement to present a certificate upon entry does not mean the risk associated with yellow fever disappears.
In its updated recommendations of 2026, the World Health Organization (WHO) advises vaccination for travelers aged 9 months and older going to areas where there is a risk of yellow fever transmission, subject to any medical contraindications. Uganda is one of the countries where there is a recognized risk of disease transmission.
The distinction is therefore important: Uganda removes the documentary requirement linked to the vaccination certificate at the border, but vaccination retains its health benefits for travellers.
Quick Reference Summary
Aspect | Details |
Effective Date | October 2, 2026 (official notice) |
Change | Yellow fever vaccination certificate no longer mandatory for entry |
e-Visa Portal | Requirement removed from visas.immigration.go.ug |
Tourist Visa Cost | US$50 |
Visa Validity | Must be used within 90 days of approval |
Ebola Outbreak Status | Ended August 27, 2026 (42-day countdown completed) |
WHO Recommendation | Vaccination still advised for travelers to risk areas |
Regional Precedent | Benin also eliminated certificate checks |
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