HABARI DAILY I Kampala, Uganda I Uganda’s tourism industry is facing renewed uncertainty after the United States retained the country on its highest Level 4 “Do Not Travel” advisory list, raising concerns among tourism operators and other stakeholders about the potential damage to the country’s international image, visitor numbers and foreign exchange earnings.
The decision has sparked criticism from Ugandan tourism players, who argue that the continued classification fails to reflect improvements in the country’s health situation, particularly following the official declaration of the end of the Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak in July 2026.
On November 9, 2026, the US State Department, through its TravelGov account, included Uganda among countries under its highest travel warning, alongside Iran, North Korea, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Afghanistan and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Uganda has been under the Level 4 classification since May 17, 2026, when Washington raised its travel advisory from Level 3 following an outbreak of Bundibugyo Ebola linked to the DRC. The advisory was maintained during an update on June 4.
The latest development has particularly worried tourism entrepreneurs, who fear that the warning could discourage American travellers from visiting Uganda and influence tourists from other countries to reconsider their travel plans.
Tourism operators questions position
Tourism entrepreneur Amos Wekesa has described the American government’s decision as unfair, questioning why Uganda should be placed in the same risk category as countries such as Iran and North Korea.
“America, how can Uganda be at the same level as IRAN and North Korea,” Wekesa wrote on X. “VERY UNFAIR.”
His concern reflects the frustration among tourism stakeholders who believe Uganda’s tourism attractions continue to operate safely and that the blanket classification risks portraying the entire country as inaccessible to international visitors.
Dr Arinaitwe Rugyendo also questioned the logic behind the advisory, particularly considering Uganda’s successful conservation efforts and its reputation as a destination for wildlife tourism.
“How is Uganda safe for the world’s rarest great apes, but too unsafe for Americans?” he asked.
The concerns are not entirely new. In May, tour operator Rodgers Akampurira appealed to President Yoweri Museveni after reporting safari cancellations and mounting pressure to refund clients who had already paid for accommodation, transport and national park permits.
Such cancellations have implications beyond tour companies because a single safari booking supports several businesses, including hotels, lodges, restaurants, transport operators, guides and other tourism service providers.
Ebola outbreak declared over
One of the major reasons behind the initial elevation of Uganda’s travel warning was the Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak, which raised concerns about the safety of international visitors.
However, Uganda’s Ministry of Health declared the outbreak over on July 28, 2026, following the country’s disease surveillance and response interventions.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) and Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention welcomed the development on August 27, after 42 days had passed without a new confirmed case following the discharge of the last patient.
In October, the Ministry of Health reported that Uganda had recorded no further confirmed cases, although it cautioned that Ebola transmission was continuing across the border in the DRC.
Tourism stakeholders argue that the health situation has since changed significantly and that the United States should reconsider maintaining the highest travel warning on account of an outbreak that Uganda officially contained.
Nevertheless, Washington’s advisory covers more than health concerns.
Security and legal concerns
The US State Department cites violent crime, terrorism, civil unrest and health risks as reasons for advising American citizens against travelling to Uganda.
The warning highlights armed robberies, home invasions and sexual assaults, alongside concerns about limited police resources and the possibility of attacks targeting public gatherings, religious venues, schools, transport hubs and tourist destinations.
It also cautions about the possibility of sudden political demonstrations and protests, which could disrupt movement and expose travellers to security risks.
Additionally, the advisory highlights Uganda’s legal environment, particularly the 2023 Anti-Homosexuality Act, which provides severe penalties for certain same-sex relations.
Washington also warns that its capacity to provide emergency consular assistance to American citizens in Uganda is limited.
These concerns present a more complicated picture for Ugandan tourism stakeholders because the advisory is not exclusively linked to the Ebola outbreak.
Economic consequences
Uganda recorded 1.64 million international tourist arrivals and earned approximately Shs5.83 trillion ($1.62b) from tourism in 2025, according to the Ministry of Tourism.
The industry is an important source of foreign exchange, employment and business opportunities, making international perceptions of the country’s safety particularly important.
The Uganda Media Centre has previously challenged the American warning, arguing that it gives visitors a distorted impression of the country, especially when national parks and other tourist attractions continue receiving international visitors.
Other countries have adopted less restrictive approaches. Australia advises travellers to exercise a high degree of caution in Uganda, with stronger warnings for areas bordering South Sudan and the DRC. Britain, in its November 6, 2026 update, highlighted regional Ebola precautions while advising travellers to review its safety and health guidance.
For Uganda, the concern is that continued placement on the Level 4 list could undermine efforts to market the country as a competitive international destination.
Tourism operators are consequently hoping that the US will review its assessment to reflect changing circumstances, particularly the end of the Ebola outbreak, while distinguishing between specific security concerns and the country’s broader tourism destinations.
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