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Ebola: UAE Lifts Visa Ban on Ugandans, Retains Restrictions on DR Congo, South Sudan
Ebola: UAE Lifts Visa Ban on Ugandans, Retains Restrictions on DR Congo, South Sudan
The United Arab Emirates has lifted its suspension on new visas for Ugandan nationals following a review of health-related travel restrictions imposed in June.
Ugandan passport holders must have spent at least 21 days outside Uganda before entering the UAE.
Visa restrictions remain in force for nationals of the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan, while certain categories of Ugandans qualify for exemptions.
Nigeria has recorded no new Ebola case since confirming an imported infection from Uganda on October 20, although 28 contacts of the patient remain under surveillance, according to the NCDC.
November 11, () – The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has lifted its suspension on the issuance of new visas to Ugandan nationals, easing travel restrictions introduced in June following an outbreak of the Ebola virus in the East African country.
The revised entry measures, announced on Wednesday, permit holders of Ugandan passports to enter the Emirates, provided they have spent at least 21 days outside Uganda before arrival.
reports that the decision was announced jointly by the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority, the Ministry of Health and Prevention, and the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security.
However, the authorities said the suspension of new visas would remain in force for nationals of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) and South Sudan because of the prevailing health situation in the two countries.
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The restrictions also cover passengers transiting through the UAE, except those who have spent more than 21 days outside the three affected African countries before arriving in the Emirates.
Under the revised arrangements, Ugandan students enrolled in educational institutions in the UAE before June 2026 will be allowed to enter the country, alongside their family members, subject to approved procedures.
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Administrative staff of the Ugandan Embassy holding ordinary passports, as well as their family members, are also exempt from the restrictions.
Holders of diplomatic and special passports issued by the Ugandan government will similarly be permitted entry under the health procedures applicable to exempted categories, in coordination with the relevant authorities.
The UAE authorities also provided for humanitarian and medical exemptions, stating that such cases would be assessed individually.
Travellers seeking entry for medical treatment will be required to submit approved medical reports indicating their diagnosis, the name of the healthcare facility where they intend to receive treatment and the scheduled date for commencement of treatment.
Nigeria Records No New Ebola Case, Monitors 28 Contacts
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has reported no new Ebola case since confirming an imported infection on October 20, 2026, but said 28 people exposed to the patient remained under monitoring as of November 9.
The NCDC Director-General, Dr Jide Idris, disclosed this on Tuesday, three weeks after Nigeria confirmed an imported case of Bundibugyo Virus Disease in a traveller from Uganda.
According to the agency, 62 contacts were identified in connection with the case, with 34 completing their individual 21-day monitoring periods as of November 9.
Idris said the NCDC was sustaining contact tracing, investigation of reported alerts, laboratory testing and surveillance at points of entry in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Federal Capital Territory Administration, state authorities and development partners.
He cautioned against interpreting the 21 days since the confirmation of the first case as the monitoring period for all identified contacts, explaining that each person had a separate 21-day follow-up period.
The NCDC director-general also stressed that being identified as a contact did not mean that an individual had contracted Ebola, explaining that the monitoring was intended to ensure that anyone who developed symptoms was promptly identified and given appropriate medical attention.
The agency urged healthcare workers in public and private health facilities to remain vigilant, establish patients’ travel and exposure histories, observe infection prevention and control measures, and promptly report suspected cases to public health authorities.
It advised anyone who developed symptoms after possible exposure to Ebola to avoid contact with others and call its toll-free line, 6232, for guidance before travelling to a health facility.
Beyond the Ebola response, the NCDC expressed concern over other infectious diseases, including dengue fever, chikungunya, diphtheria, cerebrospinal meningitis and Lassa fever.
The agency confirmed cases of dengue fever in Sokoto and Zamfara states, as well as chikungunya in Sokoto State.
It said national rapid response teams, including entomologists from the National Arbovirus Research Centre in Enugu, had been deployed to support the affected states with case identification, laboratory investigations, clinical preparedness, community engagement and mosquito control.
Idris warned Nigerians against assuming that every fever was malaria, noting that dengue and chikungunya could also cause fever, headaches, body pains and joint pains.
He identified severe abdominal pain, repeated vomiting, bleeding and difficulty breathing as possible warning signs of serious dengue complications requiring urgent medical attention.
The NCDC also urged states in the meningitis belt to strengthen surveillance, diagnostic services, clinical preparedness and vaccination responses as the dry season advances.
On diphtheria, the agency said the disease remained a serious public health concern, particularly among children who had missed routine immunisation.
It urged parents and caregivers to verify their children’s vaccination status and seek guidance on missed doses.
The UAE said the easing of restrictions on Ugandans reflected its commitment to protecting public health, strengthening preparedness and responding to potential health risks.
The authorities added that they would continue to monitor the epidemiological situation in the affected countries and review precautionary measures in line with emerging developments and risk assessments.
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