Ugandans with ordinary passports will be able to travel to South Africa Visa-free once the two countries sign a bilateral agreement, the Uganda Ministry of Internal Affairs has announced. The spokesman of the Citizen and Immigration Control, Mr Simon Mundeyi, said the talks between officials from the two countries to have a reciprocal Visa fee exemption for their citizens are nearing a successful end.
“We still have talks for ordinary passport holders of Uganda. These talks are almost coming to an end, and very soon Ugandans holding ordinary passports will move visa-free to the Republic of South Africa. Very soon!” Mr Mundeyi said on Monday.
When President Museveni visited his South African counterpart, Cyril Ramaphosa in February 2023, both leaders agreed on talks about easing travel of their citizens between the two countries. Many Ugandans are working, studying and on other engagements in South Africa, while in Uganda, there are many South Africans in the service, trade and manufacturing sectors. However, Ugandans have been facing many challenges when travelling to South Africa due to strict visa rules.
“We started with diplomatic [passports], we came to service passports. Now the talks are coming to a successful end. We shall have Ugandans travelling to South Africa visa-free. Of course, this is enabled by the fact that our passport is gaining some level of strength,” Mr Mundeyi said.
Uganda also signed a deal with Egypt that will see diplomats and official passport holders of the two countries travel visa-free.
“We have been having issues travelling to Egypt, where diplomatic and service passport holders were being asked to apply for and acquire visas to travel to Egypt. Talks have been ongoing, and I am now happy to report that we have achieved visa-free travel for official and diplomatic passport holders from Uganda, and also from Egypt,” Mr Mundeyi said.
Mr Mundeyi, however, said holders of ordinary passports aren’t yet covered by the exemptions; therefore, they must apply for visas. Related Uganda, South Africa still in talks to waive visa restrictions National Jan 10, 2024 South African embassy changes visa system National May 25, 2015 He said Visa free policy towards Ugandans by several countries is an indicator that the value of the Ugandan passport has strengthened. Uganda signed a similar visa-waiver deal with the United Arab Emirates that will benefit diplomats and official passport holders.