KAMPALA — Uganda has been listed among 36 countries facing possible new U.S. travel restrictions under a proposed expansion of visa bans being considered by the Trump administration. 

This marks a potential setback for Uganda’s diplomatic and economic relations with Washington, even as bilateral trade between the two countries continues to strengthen.

The draft policy, contained in a U.S. State Department memo seen by The Washington Post, directs American diplomats to engage affected countries—including Uganda—and gives them 60 days to meet new requirements or face visa restrictions. 

These include demands for better identity document security, reduction of visa overstay rates, improved cooperation on deportations, and addressing issues of government fraud.

The memo, signed by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, also indicates that some countries were flagged for allowing citizenship-by-investment schemes or for what it described as “anti-American activity.”

If implemented, the expanded travel ban would build on an earlier Trump administration proclamation issued earlier this month, which already imposed restrictions on 20 countries, mostly in Africa, the Middle East and Latin America. The looming visa restrictions come at a time when Uganda’s trade relationship with the United States has been growing steadily. In 2024, the U.S. exported approximately $106 million worth of goods to Uganda and imported about $132 million, according to U.S. Census Bureau data. This resulted in a bilateral trade volume of over $238 million.

The Office of Economic Complexity (OEC) further reported a surge of U.S. exports to Uganda, growing from $6.06 million in April 2024 to $23.1 million in April 2025 — a 282% increase. Imports from Uganda to the U.S. also rose by 22% between January 2024 and January 2025. 

Diplomatic Concerns

Uganda’s inclusion on the list raises concerns in diplomatic circles, given the country’s long-standing cooperation with the U.S. on security, peacekeeping, counterterrorism, and regional stability, particularly through its contributions to the African Union peacekeeping mission in Somalia (ATMIS).

While the U.S. State Department declined to comment on the memo, the White House has indicated that the measures are part of a broader effort to tighten U.S. immigration controls.

Critics in the United States, including many Democrats, have accused the Trump administration of xenophobia, arguing that the expanding list of targeted nations dispro

Ugandan authorities have not yet issued an official statement on the matter. However, analysts warn that if enacted, the visa restrictions could affect Ugandan students, business travelers, exporters, and families, many of whom rely on smooth U.S. visa access for education, commerce, and personal ties.

Uganda and the other affected nations have until early August to submit action plans to the U.S. State Department, after which decisions on the enforcement of travel bans are expected to be made. 

As both sides navigate the process, many Ugandan businesses, especially those involved in agriculture, horticulture, and tourism, are closely watching the outcome, wary of the potential impact on trade, investment, and international cooperation.

By ChimpReports