The Ugandan government has officially rescinded the mandatory requirement for incoming travelers to present a yellow fever vaccination certificate upon arrival.
The policy shift was confirmed by the Ugandan Ministry of Internal Affairs through the Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control (DCIC), following formal inquiries from the Uganda Tourism Board. Clarifying the revised border protocol, the ministry stated: “Accordingly, travellers to Uganda do not require a Yellow Fever vaccination certificate for entry.” Verification mechanisms have also been updated, with the certificate omitted from requirements listed on Uganda’s official e-visa portal and the National Citizenship and Immigration Control platform.
The adjustment streamlines entry checkpoints nationwide, including Entebbe International Airport and major land crossings such as Busia, Malaba, Katuna, Cyanika, and Mutukula.
Uganda originally instituted the mandatory nationwide yellow fever card requirement in late May 2024. The mandate was designed as a public health enforcement tool to combat domestic vaccine hesitancy and support a massive, WHO-backed immunization campaign targeting 14 million citizens aged 1 to 60. By April 2024, health authorities reported administering vaccines to approximately 12.2 million individuals.
As a nation of roughly 45 million people, Uganda is classified among the 27 African countries facing high vulnerability to yellow fever transmission, with sporadic outbreaks recorded as recently as early 2024 in the central districts of Buikwe and Buvuma.
The decision to lift the entry barrier follows sustained feedback from tourism stakeholders, trade operators, and international travelers regarding implementation inconsistencies and compliance bottlenecks at border crossings. Reports had highlighted instances where travelers lacking physical documentation faced procedural delays or irregular practices, echoing similar challenges encountered in 2023 when airport health verification desks were temporarily suspended.
Furthermore, the policy adjustment aligns with ongoing efforts across East Africa to harmonize travel protocols, following the successful containment and official declaration marking the end of Uganda’s Bundibugyo Ebola virus outbreak on August 27, 2026.
While the documentary mandate at the border has been abolished, public health authorities emphasize that the underlying biological risk remains unchanged. The World Health Organization (WHO) continues to classify Uganda as a high-risk zone for yellow fever transmission.
Consequently, health experts strongly recommend that individuals aged nine months and older planning visits to Uganda still receive the vaccination, barring any medical contraindications. Travelers are also advised to check specific documentation requirements for onward journeys to neighboring nations—such as Rwanda, Tanzania, or South Africa—where strict entry regulations regarding proof of vaccination may still apply.
