Kampala, Uganda: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has announced it will suspend the issuance of tourist and work visas to Ugandan nationals starting January 2026, a decision that threatens to disrupt Uganda’s labour export programme, household remittances, and trade ties with its largest export market.
The directive, communicated through an immigration circular in Abu Dhabi, adds Uganda to the list of countries facing sudden restrictions, including Afghanistan, Libya, Yemen, Somalia, Lebanon, Bangladesh, Cameroon, and Sudan.
Officials in the Emirates described the ban as temporary and precautionary, citing national security concerns and intelligence reports of trafficking networks exploiting visa channels. They also flagged diplomatic and labour-related disputes over the treatment and repatriation of migrant workers, alongside post-pandemic entry control challenges.
The announcement comes in the wake of a BBC investigation linking Ugandan national Charles Mwesigwa to a sex ring network in Dubai’s upscale neighbourhoods, further fueling scrutiny of visa processes.
Uganda’s labour export sector now faces its toughest challenge. According to the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, 120,459 Ugandans secured jobs abroad between January 2022 and December 2023, with more than 89 percent deployed to the Middle East.
In the same period, Uganda earned UGX 25 billion (USD 6.5 million) from labour externalisation licensing, job orders, and recruitment accreditation.
Remittances from Ugandans working in the Gulf—estimated at USD 1.4 billion annually—have become a lifeline for thousands of families and a crucial source of foreign exchange. The impending visa freeze means new worker deployments will halt, contracts already processed risk collapse, and families who invested in the process may face financial losses.
Recruitment firms in Kampala, many of which handle hundreds of placements monthly, are warning of a looming unemployment spike. “This will paralyse our business and worsen youth unemployment,” one recruiter said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
The shock extends to trade. The UAE remains Uganda’s largest export destination, accounting for over a third of national exports. In 2024, Uganda’s exports to the UAE were valued at USD 2.62 billion, out of a total of USD 8.04 billion. Gold dominated the trade, contributing USD 1.31 billion in 2023 alone.
While the suspension does not directly affect commodities, exporters fear logistical and negotiation hurdles. “Most of our deals require physical presence in Dubai. Without visas, we are stranded,” a gold exporter told DailyExpress.
Diplomatic ripples are expected, though Kampala has not yet issued a formal response. If the ban persists beyond 2026, analysts warn Uganda risks a dual economic shock—shrinking foreign remittances and reduced export receipts—posing risks to the shilling, foreign reserves, and overall economic stability.
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