Government will continue bilateral engagements with the United States following its decision to maintain Uganda among 23 countries under a Level Four “Do Not Travel for Any Reason” advisory, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Haruna Kasolo has said.
Kasolo said Uganda would pursue further diplomatic engagements with Washington to address concerns surrounding the travel restriction, adding that Parliament would be kept informed of developments.
His remarks followed concerns raised by Kole South County MP Boniface Okot during Wednesday’s plenary sitting on November 11, 2026, over the potential economic impact of the advisory, particularly on the tourism sector.
“Many players in the Tourism sector claim this negative advisory in the country is affecting them and even all Ugandans, a great deal,” Okot said.
The US State Department re-published Uganda on November 9, 2026, among 23 countries under the highest travel advisory, citing the Ebola outbreak reported in the country in July 2026.
However, Uganda subsequently recorded no new cases, and after the last Ebola patient was discharged and the required period passed without further infections, the World Health Organisation declared the country Ebola-free.
Kasolo revealed that Foreign Affairs Minister Adonia Ayebare had previously held bilateral discussions with the US Deputy Secretary of State on August 28, 2026, during which both sides committed to strengthening cooperation.
“Now that the first engagement has not worked, we shall continue with more engagements and we will keep updating Parliament,” Kasolo said.
He said US officials had commended Uganda’s efforts in responding to the Ebola outbreak and reaffirmed the longstanding partnership between the two countries in addressing public health emergencies.
According to Kasolo, both sides also committed to continued cooperation in health matters and issues relating to national sovereignty.
The continued travel advisory has raised concerns about its implications for Uganda’s tourism industry and other sectors that depend on international travel, with government now pursuing further diplomatic discussions to address the matter.
