Health Alert – U.S. Embassy Kampala (August 14, 2020)   

Health Alert – U.S. Embassy Kampala (August 14, 2020)
Location:  Uganda
Event:  There are 1353 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 11 deaths due to COVID-19 reported in Uganda according to the Ministry of Health.

Upcoming Flights:

The U.S. Embassy is aware of the following proposed repatriation flights out of Entebbe International Airport for foreigners wishing to depart Uganda.

Please be advised that these flights are subject to final approval by the Government of Uganda.  A recent flight was canceled within hours of departure and we understand Brussels Airlines has canceled any future special passenger flights until Entebbe International Airport reopens to regularly scheduled commercial traffic.

Flight Information:

 

Date Destination/Transit Point Airline Contact
16 Aug 2020
23 Aug 2020
30 Aug 2020
Amsterdam (AMS) KLM Lillian.Wanzusi@KLM.com;
Lukia.Otema@KLM.com;
+256-752-750-350;
reservations.kla@satgurutravel.com
17 Aug 2020 Addis Ababa (ADD) Ethiopian Airlines aishak@ethiopianairlines.com
+256-705-775-578
24 Aug 2020 ​Dubai (DXB) Emirates sales@travelcare.co.ug;
+256-754-222-600;
+256-752-750-350

 

Please note that all of the above flights may also be available for booking through travel agencies, including Simba Travelcare (sales@travelcare.co.ug; +256-754-222-600; +256-752-750-350) and Satguru Travel (reservations.kla@satgurutravel.com; +256-750-550-060).

Interested passengers must book directly with the airline or travel agency indicated.  Travelers will be able to book an itinerary to a final destination in the United States.

These are not U.S. government-controlled flights.  Pricing, availability, and cancellations are controlled by the airline.

Note: There are no free repatriation flights for U.S. citizens.  According to U.S. law, departure assistance to U.S. citizens must be provided on a reimbursable basis.  The U.S. Embassy has no plans to charter an evacuation flight out of Uganda but if we were to do so, the U.S. Embassy would require passengers to sign a promissory note for the loan and reimburse the U.S. government for the cost of the flight.

Interested parties should verify that their passports and other documentation are current and valid for at least six months from today’s date.  For American Citizen Services, including passport renewals, please visit our website.

Consular Services:

The consular section at U.S. Embassy Kampala is now offering limited routine passport appointments, notarials, and appointments for Consular Reports of Birth Abroad (CRBA).  To schedule a passport or notarial appointment, please visit our website.  To qualify for a CRBA appointment, you must first be documentarily ready for interview.  To submit your documents for review, please email KampalaCRBA@state.gov.  CRBA appointments are being scheduled for those who are already documentarily ready in chronological order of receipt.

COVID-19 Restrictions:

On July 21, President Museveni announced changes to the current restrictions, including allowing shopping arcades and beauty salons to reopen immediately, permitting boda boda drivers to carry passengers as of July 27, and shortening the curfew to 2100h-0530h.  Schools, churches, and mosques remain closed.  Entebbe International Airport, as well as all land borders, remain closed to regular passenger traffic.

All passengers returning to Uganda, including U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents who might be able to avail themselves of special repatriation flights bringing passengers into Uganda, must be prepared to quarantine at the direction of the Government of Uganda. This will include institutional quarantine at your own expense for approximately 16 days at a property pre-approved by the Ugandan government.  For more information, please visit the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.

Visa Status of Foreign Residents and Visitors in Uganda:

The Ministry of Internal Affairs opened their office for visa renewals and other routine immigration matters on June 15.  Foreign residents and visitors with visa issues or questions can visit their office Monday through Friday from 0800 to 1400.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs under the Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration is the issuing authority for Uganda visas and is the entity that may be able to provide guidance:

  •         Toll Free Numbers 0800 199 003/4
  •         Email: info@immigration.go.ug

The Department of State has issued a Level 3 Travel Advisory for Uganda.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Level 3 Travel Notice for Uganda.

Actions to Take:   

Assistance: