Is It Safe to Travel to Uganda in 2026?
Uganda - Level 3: Reconsider Travel
Last updated: · Source: U.S. Department of State
⚠ Reconsider Travel
The U.S. State Department recommends reconsidering travel to Uganda due to elevated risks. Key factors: crime, terrorism, civil_unrest.
Uganda, officially the Republic of Uganda, is a landlocked country in East Africa. It is bordered to the east by Kenya, to the north by South Sudan, to the west by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, to the south-west by Rwanda, and to the south by Tanzania.
Is It Safe to Travel to Uganda in 2026?
Uganda is currently rated Level 3 — Reconsider Travel by the U.S. Department of State. Violent crime, including armed robbery and sexual assault, poses a significant risk in Uganda, particularly in larger cities and border areas. There is a risk of terrorist violence targeting public venues and tourist areas, necessitating vigilance among U.S. citizens. Protests can occur unexpectedly, often related to political issues, and can escalate quickly, leading to violent responses from security forces.
Key concerns cited in the advisory:
- crime
- terrorism
- civil_unrest
The overall security situation has been worsening recently. Contributing factors: Violent crime, including armed robbery and sexual assault, poses a significant risk, Protests can occur unexpectedly and escalate quickly, The 2023 Anti-Homosexuality Act increases danger for targeted individuals.
Traveler Impact
Solo travelers face significant risks of violent crime, particularly in urban areas like Kampala, where armed robbery and sexual assault are prevalent.
Business travelers may encounter operational disruptions due to civil unrest and crime, particularly in urban centers, but can rely on established hotel security and transport services.
Families with children should be cautious due to high crime rates and limited healthcare access outside major cities, with serious health risks from diseases like malaria and Ebola.
Remote workers may find decent connectivity in urban areas, but should be wary of security risks and health concerns that could disrupt their stay.
Data on this page comes from the U.S. Department of State, the CDC, the World Bank Worldwide Governance Indicators, and Freedom House. All sources are updated regularly and cross-referenced to provide a composite safety picture for Uganda.
▶Safety and Stability Ratings
Threat Severity (0-10 scale)
Uganda has an overall threat severity of 6.9 out of 10. Crime risk is rated 7.0/10, terrorism risk 5.0/10, and kidnapping risk 0.0/10.
Governance Indicators (World Bank, percentile)
Political Stability▶
Measures the likelihood that the government will be destabilized or overthrown by unconstitutional or violent means, including politically-motivated violence and terrorism. Higher percentile means greater stability.
Rule of Law▶
Captures perceptions of the extent to which agents have confidence in and abide by the rules of society, including the quality of contract enforcement, property rights, the police, and the courts, as well as the likelihood of crime and violence.
Control of Corruption▶
Captures perceptions of the extent to which public power is exercised for private gain, including both petty and grand forms of corruption, as well as capture of the state by elites and private interests.
Government Effectiveness▶
Captures perceptions of the quality of public services, the quality of the civil service and the degree of its independence from political pressures, the quality of policy formulation and implementation, and the credibility of the government's commitment to such policies.
Regulatory Quality▶
Captures perceptions of the ability of the government to formulate and implement sound policies and regulations that permit and promote private sector development.
Voice & Accountability▶
Captures perceptions of the extent to which a country's citizens are able to participate in selecting their government, as well as freedom of expression, freedom of association, and a free media.
Data from World Bank Worldwide Governance Indicators (2023).
Freedom Status: Not Free — scored 34/100 by Freedom House (2024). View full freedom profile →
▶Entry Requirements and Health
Entry Information
Visa
Check embassy for details
Currency
Ugandan Shilling (UGX)
Language
English / Swahili
Notable restrictions:
- drug possession illegal including medical marijuana
- e-cigarettes prohibited
Vaccinations
Required:
- Yellow Fever: Vaccine is required for all arriving travelers ≥1 year old.
Recommended:
⚠ Malaria Risk: high
Recommended medications: Atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline, mefloquine, tafenoquine
Active health notices:
- watchGlobal Measles: Measles cases are rising in many countries around the world. All international travelers should be fully vaccinated against measles with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, according to CDC's measles vaccination recommendations for international travel.
Vaccination data sourced from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Consult a travel health professional before your trip.
Common Questions About Traveling to Uganda
▶What is the current travel advisory level for Uganda?
▶Is it safe to travel to Uganda right now?
▶Do I need a visa to visit Uganda?
▶What vaccines do I need for Uganda?
▶Is Uganda safe for solo travelers?
▶How bad is crime in Uganda?
More Uganda Data
Not Free — 34/100 on the Freedom House index.
Governance indicators including rule of law, corruption control, and regulatory quality.
View all 195 countries color-coded by advisory level.
Read the full advisory on travel.state.gov.
Access this data programmatically. Free tier available.
On-demand country risk PDFs from 6 government sources.