Kampala, Uganda: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has dismissed reports claiming it imposed a visa ban on Ugandan nationals, clarifying that no such directive has been issued.
In an exclusive phone interview, Abdalla Hassan Alshamsi, the UAE Ambassador to Uganda, described the claims as unfounded. “What is circulating out there is false,” he stated, stressing that there has been no official communication regarding a visa ban.
The clarification comes after widespread online reports suggested that the UAE, a key destination for Ugandan migrant workers, had introduced a blanket visa ban effective January 2026.
But Ambassador Alshamsi explained that while visa restrictions may occasionally be introduced for specific reasons, the current reports were baseless. He emphasized that the UAE reserves the right to deny entry to applicants who fail to meet immigration requirements.
Over 100,000 Ugandans are legally employed in the UAE, mainly in manual and domestic work. The Gulf nation, comprising Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah, remains one of the top destinations for Ugandans seeking employment opportunities.
Previous Restrictions and Recent Concerns
The UAE has, in the past, temporarily restricted visas for Ugandan nationals. In 2022, it suspended the issuance of 30-day visit visas to Ugandans and citizens from 20 other countries. Though no official explanation was given, the move was widely linked to curbing visa overstays by individuals abusing short-term permits.
The latest rumors emerged amid heightened scrutiny following a BBC investigation that exposed a Ugandan national, Charles Mwesigwa, accused of running a sexual exploitation network in Dubai.
Mwesigwa was recorded telling an undercover reporter he could provide women for sex parties at fees starting from $1,000 (about Shs3.5 million). He allegedly claimed the women were willing to do “pretty much everything” requested by clients.
While Ambassador Alshamsi did not link the investigation to any policy shifts, the scandal has added to speculation about tighter immigration controls for Ugandans working or seeking opportunities in the UAE.
(daily express)