How to Apply for a Uganda Visa in Salt Lake City

The volcanic hills, jungles, lakes, and rivers of Uganda – home to mountain gorillas, tree-climbing lions, and exotic flora and fauna – continue to draw visitors to the East African nation.  Dubbed the “Pearl of Africa” more than a century ago by Winston Churchill, its natural beauty and vibrant culture make Uganda a unique destination for travelers from the Salt Lake City area.   

The landlocked Republic of Uganda is bordered by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, and Tanzania.  The former Buganda kingdom and British protectorate became an independent nation in 1962.  Since then, Uganda suffered through decades of political conflict and oppression, particularly during the brutal reign of Ida Amin in the 1970s.  Social unrest continues: the U.S. State department recommends that Americans “reconsider travel to Uganda due to crime, terrorism, and anti-LGBTQ+ legislation.”

The country of more than 50 million is also one of the poorest in the world.  English and Swahili are its official languages, while Roman Catholicism makes up the largest religious denomination.  Agriculture is the largest employer and provides a significant portion of Uganda’s exports, which include coffee, tea, cotton, apparel, fruits, vegetables, and fish.  Other major economic sectors with potential for trade with Salt Lake City-based businesspeople are mining, petroleum, communications, transportation, and technology.

“Uganda’s investment climate presents both important opportunities and major challenges for U.S. investors,” the State Department’s International Trade Administration stated (https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/uganda-investment-climate-statement-ics). “With a market economy, ideal climate, ample arable land, a young and English-speaking population, and ongoing development of fields containing at least 1.4 billion barrels of recoverable oil, Uganda offers numerous opportunities for investors.” However, the agency added, “An uncertain mid-to-long-range political environment also increases risk to foreign businesses and investors.”

Kampala, the largest city in Uganda and the nation’s capital, is one of the fastest-growing cities in Africa.  The former British colonial capital regularly ranks as the best city to live in East Africa.  Notable sites include Uganda Museum, the Ugandan National Theatre, and Independence Monument.  Tours of religious landmarks feature Uganda National Mosque, Baha’i temple, and the Uganda Martyrs Shrine.  The city also offers numerous restaurants and a vibrant nightlife scene for visitors from Salt Lake City, headlined by the Guvnor nightclub.  The city is also home to one of Uganda’s three UNESCO World Heritage sites: the tombs of Buganda Kings at Kasubi.  The other two – Rwenzori Mountains and Bwindi Impenetrable national parks – are known for their glaciers, waterfalls, and exceptional biodiversity.

Tourism, another major factor in the Uganda economy, is driven by the country’s natural features and unique wildlife – particularly its rare gorillas. “The source of the Nile River starts in the Rwenzoris, Africa’s tallest mountain range, that stretch across western Uganda shrouded in mist and teeming with glaciers, waterfalls and alpine lakes,” Lonely Planet reported. (https://www.lonelyplanet.com/uganda) “These ‘mountains of the moon’ are the home of Uganda’s mountain gorillas and tracking them through this majestic habitat is one of the country’s most iconic experiences.” The Uganda Wildlife Authority manages 10 national parks, 12 wildlife reserves, 13 wildlife sanctuaries, and five community wildlife management areas.  One of only 10 countries where visitors can visit endangered gorillas, its top tourist activity is viewing Uganda’s wild animals, which also include rare tree-climbing lions, giraffes, antelopes, and elephants. 

Located in the African Great Lakes region, water sports such as kayaking and white-water rafting are popular in Uganda.  Kampala is near Lake Victoria (the world’s second-largest lake), which Uganda shares with Kenya and Tanzania.  Fishing, hiking, mountain climbing, biking, wildlife viewing safaris, and bird watching are also leading activities in Uganda’s vast protected natural areas.

Uganda Visa Requirements

Citizens of the United States and more than 150 other countries are required to obtain a visa before entering Uganda. (Visitors from some 40 countries -- primarily in Africa -- are exempt from visa requirements.  The current list of visa-free countries can be found at https://visit-uganda.org/requirements/?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwr9m3BhDHARIsANut04Y6nIOg_wD-BY0b7MFqkS81kd199WLcySwyeKpEUy8h4IxrdVZiJoAaAj7MEALw_wcB).

Visitors are required to present proof of vaccination for yellow fever, plus polio vaccination documentation for children under the age of five.  While COVID-19 vaccinations are not required, the government does recommend visitors get vaccinated for COVID and carry health insurance.

The republic offers several types of visas, including visitor, group tours, business, and family visit, as detailed at https://www.immigration.go.ug/services/tourist-visa.  The basic single-entry tourist visa is valid for three months after issue and allows you to visit for up to 30 days.

The main requirement to obtain a visa is that your U.S. passport must be valid for at least six months from your date of entry to Uganda.  It must also contain at least one blank page.  If you cannot meet these requirements, you will need to renew your passport before applying for the visa.

Uganda offers two primary options for residents of the Salt Lake City area to obtain a visa.  You can apply for and receive an electronic visa (or e-Visa) online.  You can also obtain the East Africa tourist visa, which allows you to visit three countries: Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda: https://washington.mofa.go.ug/index.php/consular/visas

Option One: Electronic Visa

The primary option for residents of the Salt Lake City area who are visiting Uganda is it to obtain an electronic (e-Visa) online before starting their journey.  The e-Visa is available to citizens of most nations, including the United States and Canada.  E-Visas are available for tourist, transit, family, and most other types of visits.  Fees include $50 for a single-entry tourist visa; $100 for multi-entry visas good for 12 or 18 months; $150 for a 24-month multiple entry visa; or $200 for multiple entries spanning up to 36 months.

Instructions for the e-Visa are available through the Uganda Directorate General of Citizenship and Immigration Control at https://visas.immigration.go.ug/#/help/visa.  The e-Visa application can be found at https://visas.immigration.go.ug/#/apply.

For a tourist e-Visa, you will need to provide:

  • Completed e-Visa application (linked above).
  • Color digital scan of the information page of your passport.
  • Digital passport-style photo.
  • Proof of yellow fever vaccination (such as UN Yellow Card), plus proof of polio vaccination for any children under the age of five.
  • Flight itinerary showing arrival in and departure from Uganda.
  • Hotel reservation(s) in your name covering your entire stay.
  • Health Insurance. Although not required for the visa, we recommend purchasing international medical insurance to cover accidents, injuries, and illnesses while traveling in Uganda.  International medical insurance from GeoBlue can be purchased from Visa Supply online through the following link: ⇒ Order Now.

Other types of e-Visas carry additional requirements.  For example, if you will attend a business conference, you must provide an invitation letter from the conference.  For medical visits, you will need supporting documentation concerning the treatment.  Multiple-entry applications will also need additional information, such as a police clearance letter from your home country and two recommendation letters from Ugandans.

To apply:

Processing can take anywhere 72 hours to two weeks.  If your application is approved, you will receive an email confirmation and a downloadable acceptance letter.  Present the confirmation when you arrive in Uganda (along with your passport and any original documents specified by officials).  Once in Uganda, you can also renew your visa online or at an Immigration Office two times for 60 days each.

Option Two: East African Tourist Visa

Salt Lake City-based travelers who plan to visit Uganda, Kenya, and/or Rwanda also have another option: the East African Tourist Visa.  This special visa enables visitors to obtain one visa for $100 that allows them to move freely among all three countries multiple times.  The visa is valid for three months from the issue date.

All three countries offer portals to apply for the East African Tourist Visa from their respective immigration departments.  You should obtain the visa for the first country you will visit on your trip.  So, if your first stop if Uganda, go to https://www.immigration.go.ug/services/east-african-tourist-visa, follow the portal link, and choose the East Africa visa option.  The visa fee is $100 and covers all three countries.  Once you clear immigration in Uganda, you can use the visa to enter Kenya and Rwanda.

The basic requirements for the East Africa visa are:

  • Completed application.
  • Your U.S. passport valid for at least six months beyond entry (copy of biodata page if applying online).
  • A passport-type photo.
  • Method of payment.
  • Copy of your full itinerary, including hotel or host names and addresses.
  • Return flight confirmation.

 

We Can Help if You Need Assistance

If you live in Salt Lake City or anywhere in the state of Utah and have difficulty applying for a Uganda visa, or require assistance with any part of the visa process, please give our office a call at 404-682-5445 or schedule an appointment with our company.  We are a private agency in Atlanta providing Uganda visa services for Americans and other U.S.-based residents.  Our number one goal is to ensure your application documents for a visa are submitted accurately to the government of Uganda.  Our services eliminate delays and give you the peace of mind to focus on your travel plans. 

We provide the following Uganda visa services for our customers in Salt Lake City:

  • Uganda Tourist Visa
  • Uganda Business Visa
  • Uganda Transit Visa
  • Uganda Student Visa
  • Uganda Hotel Accommodations