Uganda visa for UK Citizens: All you need to know

Uganda is a fascinating travel destination. Whether you’re traveling for a gorilla trekking in Uganda, to visit the Murchison Falls or any other of the things to do in Uganda, the trip will always be worth it. 

Here’s all the information you need to travel to Uganda from the UK.

Do citizens of the UK need a visa for Uganda?

Yes, UK citizens need to apply for a visa for Uganda before traveling.

How can UK citizens apply for a visa for Uganda

UK citizens are eligible to apply for Uganda’s visas online. It’s also possible to apply on arrival at the airport or at an embassy or consulate. However, applying online is the fastest and easiest way, especially with the help of specialized agencies such as visagov.com.

When traveling for tourism, they can apply for the following kinds of Uganda e visa: 

• Single-entry tourist visa. It has a validity of 90 days.
• Transit visa. It has a validity of 1 to 7 days and allows a stay of up to 24 hs in the country.
• Multiple-entry tourist visa. It can be valid for 1 or 2 years. You can leave and reenter Uganda as many times as you like during that time period.
• East Africa tourist visa. This visa is valid for 90 days and it allows for multiple entries between Uganda, Rwanda and Kenya. You need to apply for it in the first country you visit.

How much does the visa for Uganda cost?

Each type of Uganda visa has its own cost:

• Single-entry tourist visa: €48 
• Transit visa: €48
• Multiple-entry tourist visa (valid for 1 year): €95
• Multiple-entry tourist visa (valid for 2 years): €147
• East Africa tourist visa: €95

What are the Uganda visa requirements for UK citizens?

The Uganda travel requirements can vary according to the type of eVisa you need. These are the general ones:

• Having a passport with a validity of at least 6 months from the start of the trip.
• A recent and passport-sized photograph of the applicant.
• The yellow fever vaccination certificate.
• Having a functioning email address to receive the electronic visa.
• Having a credit or debit card to pay the fees.

Besides these, there are other requirements depending on the type of visa selected and the purpose of the trip.

Requisites to apply for the single entry visa for Uganda

In addition to what was detailed above, you will need:

• If the purpose of the trip is tourism: departure ticket from Uganda.
• If the purpose of the trip is attending a conference: invitation letter.
• If the purpose of the trip is to visit an Ugandan family member, or if you are a former Ugandan: invitation letter and the host's ID.
• If you travel to visit a foreign citizen: invitation letter, and the immigration status and ID of the host.
• If you travel for health reasons: a confirmed medical appointment.

Requisites to apply for the transit visa for Uganda

Any UK citizen entering Uganda as a layover for another country will also need to provide proof of having a departure ticket out of Uganda.

Requisites to apply for the multiple-entry visas for Uganda

• Proof of any other visits to or from Uganda in the last year. 
• Having been cleared to travel by the police, be it from the UK or Interpol.
• A recommendation letter from two different sponsors in Uganda.
• ID of each sponsor.
• A cover letter.
• If the purpose of the trip is attending a conference: invitation letter.
• If the purpose of the trip is to visit an Ugandan family member, or if you are a former Ugandan: invitation letter and the host's ID.
• If you travel to visit a foreign citizen: invitation letter, and the immigration status and ID of the host.
• If you travel for health reasons: a confirmed medical appointment.

Requisites to apply for the East Africa tourist visa

If a UK citizen wishes to apply for this visa for Uganda, Rwanda and Kenya, they will need to provide:

• The complete travel itinerary. 
• A copy of the plane ticket to go back to the UK. 
• If the purpose of the trip is attending a conference: invitation letter.
• If the purpose of the trip is to visit an Ugandan family member, or if you are a former Ugandan: invitation letter and the host's ID.
• If you travel to visit a foreign citizen: invitation letter, and the immigration status and ID of the host.
• If you travel for health reasons: a confirmed medical appointment.

How long does it take to get a visa for Uganda for UK citizens?

Keep in mind that the application cannot be modified once it’s submitted, so it’s important to apply with enough time left in case there’s any issues. 

The best thing would be to apply at least 15 days in advance, even though it only takes about 5 days for the application to be processed.

Where is the Embassy of Uganda in the UK?

The High Commission of Uganda in the UK is located in London.

Address: Uganda House, Uganda High Commission, 58 - 59 Trafalgar Sq, St. James's, London WC2N 5DX, UK

General telephone: 020 7839 5783

Telephone numbers for visas and passports: 020 7839 5783 / 020 3154 4016 / 020 3154 4012

Number for Uganda’s ID: 020 3154 4027

General email: [email protected] 

Email for visas, passports and ID: [email protected] 

Where is the UK Embassy in Uganda?

The British High Commission is located in Kampala.

Address: 4 Windsor Loop, P. O. Box 7070, Kampala, Uganda

Telephone: +256 (0) 312 312000 or +44 20 7008 5000.

Telephone for visa enquiries: + 44 203 481 1736

Fax: +256 (0) 414 257304

Email: [email protected]

What are the vaccine requirements to travel to Uganda from the UK?

Uganda is an endemic country for yellow fever. Every traveler, coming from the UK or anywhere else, has to get the vaccine against the disease: it’s a mandatory requirement. It’s also mandatory to provide proof in the form of the vaccination certificate.

Other recommended vaccines include:

• Chickenpox (Varicella)
• Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis
• Flu (influenza)
• Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR)
• Polio
• Shingles
• Hepatitis A and B
• Malaria
• Meningitis
• Rabies
• Typhoid

Cholera used to be an issue in Uganda, but that’s no longer the case. However, you can get the vaccine before traveling to ensure your safety.

What is the time difference between Uganda and the UK?

The time difference between Uganda and the UK can be 2 or 3 hours. Since the UK observes Daylight Savings Time, during those months the difference is 2 hours. During the rest of the year, it’s 3. 

• Time zone of Uganda: East Africa Time (UTC+3)
• Time zone of the UK: British Summer Time (UTC+1) / Greenwich Mean Time (UTC+0)

What is the currency of Uganda and what is the exchange rate to Pounds?

The official currency of Uganda is the Ugandan Shilling (UGX). The approximate and current exchange rate to Pound sterling, the currency of the UK, is: 1 Pound = 4698 UGX. 

Are there any direct flights from the UK to Uganda?

Although there are no direct flights from the UK to Uganda, the two countries are well connected. There are several options with one stop or two. The journey takes at least 10 hours.