PCR Test Guidelines in Udanda

The Government of the Republic of Uganda has issued the following directives effective October 27, 2021 until further notice on COVID-19 health measures at Entebbe International Airport.

1. All arriving passengers at Entebbe International Airport will be subjected to COVID-19 test, regardless of country of origin or vaccination status.
2. The only exemptions are;

i)Children below 6 years

ii)Airline crew with evidence of full COVID-19 vaccination.

3. Passengers who test positive for COVID-19 on arrival will be provided psychological support and transferred to the gazetted public and private treatment facilities where they will be managed for 7 days and discharged on a negative PCR test.

4. The treatment for passengers in (3) above will be free in the Public Hospitals. However, Passengers who opt for Private Hospitals will meet their costs.

5. In the case of arriving tourists, if they are asymptomatic or with mild disease, they will be managed in the designated tourists Hotels.

6. The tourists in (5) above who progress to severe disease will be transferred to the hospitals of their choice.

7. Arriving passengers will pay USD 30 or the equivalent in Uganda Shillings for the COVID-19 PCR test.

8. The Payments in (7) above may be done online or on arrival using Point Of Sales machines, mobile money or cash.

9. All travelers whose body temperature is NOT above 37.5° C (99.5°F), do not have a persistent cough, difficulty in breathing or other flu-like symptoms shall be allowed to enter or depart Uganda.

10. Entebbe International Airport Port Health shall approve for arrival or departure a negative COVID-19 PCR test certificate undertaken within 72 hours from the time of sample collection.

This excludes transit time at the terminal building.

11. Travelers who have had COVID-19 vaccination and hold certificate must still present a negative COVID-19 PCR test certificate taken within 72 hours from the time of sample collection to boarding aircraft. This is because the vaccine is not 100% protective, and it also takes several days/weeks to begin protection.

12. Passengers travelling out of the country, will be required to have negative COVID-19 PCR test

Certificate taken within 72 hours from the time of sample collection. They will abide by the health travel requirements of the destination country.

13. Passengers arriving in the curfew time, and/or from districts beyond Kampala with a valid Air Ticket and Boarding Pass shall be allowed to proceed to their hotels and/or residences.

14. Passengers departing in the curfew time, and/or from districts beyond Kampala with a valid

air ticket shall be allowed to proceed to their destination airport by presentation of the passenger ticket to the authorities as evidence of going to the airport.

15. Drivers should have evidence that they have come from the Airport (such as Airport parking

ticket or passenger ticket) to drop or pick-up passengers.

Note

All Uganda visas are processed online at visas.immigration.go.ug. No visa processing at entry points. You’ll need a six months valid passport and yellow fever vaccination certificate to be allowed entry. Find other details at Uganda Visa Requirements.

Tourist Vehicle Restrictions

• All tourist vehicles must be licensed by the Ministry of Works and Transport and attached to tourism companies registered and licensed by the Uganda Tourism Board.
• The tourist vehicles must be licensed, insured, with masks, sanitizers, spaced visitor seating, proper vehicle labelling and belonging to a UTB licensed tour company.
• The guide driving the vehicle must have a negative PCR test taken within 48Hours before the trip started.
• All vehicles should leave the driver co seat vacant and reduce seating capacity to allow proper spacing of not less than 1.5 meters.
• Vehicle occupants and the driver must wear masks and sanitize regularly
• Guests onboard must carry their vaccination cards, negative PCR test certificates, passports and their air tickets ready for inspection on the spot.
• All tourists are encouraged to carry their detailed travel itineraries, especially for inter-district routes.
• The driver/guide must have proper identification, a negative PCR certificate, the journey’s itinerary, proof of bookings for accommodation and park entry permits for all the guests onboard.
• COVID-19 SOPs must be adhered to in tourist vehicles with attention to social distancing, wearing masks and sanitizing.
• Breach of condition automatically cancels the sticker, and the sticker is withdrawn, and the company suspended.

Wildlife Parks Travel Restrictions

• There will be mandatory temperature screening using non-contact infra-red thermometers at the different protected areas’ key tourism gates.
• Wearing masks is mandatory for all visitors in the park. And you’re recommended to carry with you at least 2 N95 or cloth face masks and portable hand sanitizer with you.
• Tourists will also be subjected to mandatory hand washing / sanitizing at the entrances of all UWA premises and protected areas.
• Government guidelines of carrying “half capacity” to observe physical distancing shall apply to vehicles and boats in the parks. These include concessionaire delivery vehicles. Salon cars shall not be permitted in the park.
• All tour guides/drivers must have a negative coronavirus test certificate issued not more than 10 days before the Uganda safari trip. They are also required to disinfect the safari vehicles before and after the game drive watching out for main touchpoints like door handles and car seats.
• Please a safe distance from animals that could contract human diseases. Travelers will keep a 10-meter distance from the gorillas, chimps, and other primates.
• Staff on duty shall sensitize the visitors to the general government-approved COVID-19 operational guidelines, including those developed and approved by UWA management.
• Staff is provided with appropriate wear to protect everyone from any possible infection.

For more information on Uganda wildlife COVID guidelines, download the full SOPs document.

For hotels and lodges in Uganda, the Uganda Travel Board (UTB), with the help of WHO and MoH, has released a document underlining operating procedures to be observed by all players to keep all hospitality facilities and their occupants free of Coronavirus infections. Download the hospitality SOPs document.

Non-Compliance Consequences

According to the latest presidential directive, violation of these measures will lead to arrest with hefty fines mentioned in a Statutory Instrument signed by the Permanent Secretary (PS) Treasury. Those who do not care about the health of Ugandans will pay financially.

For the police to ensure compliance with the COVID-19 safety protocols, local defense Units are deployed nightly.

Important links and recommendations

• In some instances, traveling to Uganda, the airline may require a Passenger Locator Form (PLF), here’s where to get it >>>
• Official CAA October Communication (pdf)
• Check with your airlines, cruise lines, or travel operators regarding any updated information about your travel plans and/or restrictions.
• Visit your Embassy webpage on COVID-19 for information on conditions in Uganda.
• Latest: LIVE: Museveni Sept 22nd address on schools, security and COVID-19
• Where to find COVID-19 Vaccination Sites in Uganda (pdf)
• Full list of MoH Approved testing facilities and labs in Uganda (pdf)
• Uganda Ministry Of Health Coronavirus page
• MoH Uganda: Uganda COVID-19 Information Portal
• World Health Organization: WHO Coronavirus dashboard page for Uganda
• Wikipedia: Uganda Coronavirus page
• Google News: Uganda Covid-19 news
• To keep up-to-date with the most recent information on the risk of contracting COVID-19, please see the CDC’s latest recommendations.

• Australia travel advisory
• EU countries travel advisories
• US travel advisory
• US Embassy Uganda Advisory
• CDC uganda travel advisory
• UK travel advisory

Please feel free to contact your tour consultant on any new enquiries or follow up on a previous safari, we will be delighted to hear from you.