The United States government has placed Uganda among 23 destinations under its highest travel warning, advising American citizens not to visit the country because of security and health concerns. The announcement has attracted attention after Uganda appeared on the same list as countries including Somalia, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan, Iran, Afghanistan and North Korea.
In its travel advisory highlighted on Monday, November 9, 2026, the US Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs maintained Uganda’s Level 4 classification. This is the highest category in America’s four-level travel warning system and carries a clear instruction: “Do Not Travel.” The classification is used for destinations where serious risks exist or where the American government has limited ability to provide emergency assistance to its citizens.
According to the US government, four major concerns are behind Uganda’s classification: crime, terrorism, civil unrest and health risks. The advisory warns that violent crimes, including armed robberies and attacks, can occur in different parts of the country, particularly in major urban centres, the Karamoja region and areas near Uganda’s western and northern borders.
On terrorism, the US government warns that both Ugandans and foreign visitors could be affected by attacks. It identifies religious institutions, schools, government buildings, police stations, transport centres and tourist attractions, including national parks, as possible targets. The advisory also cautions that political demonstrations and protests can occur with little warning and may sometimes turn violent.
Health concerns have also contributed to the warning, particularly following the Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak reported in neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo. The US government raised Uganda’s travel warning from Level 3 to Level 4 on May 17, 2026, citing the Ebola threat and concerns about its ability to provide emergency assistance. Although Uganda subsequently declared its Ebola outbreak over on July 28, the highest travel warning was retained in the June 4 update.
The advisory further highlights Uganda’s road safety challenges, warning American travellers to be particularly careful when travelling at night. It cites figures showing that 25,808 people were involved in road crashes in 2024, including 5,144 reported deaths. US Embassy employees are also restricted from driving after dark outside major towns and cities, except on the Kampala-Entebbe Airport road.
Uganda’s appearance on the list could raise concerns for the country’s tourism and hospitality sectors, which depend partly on international visitors. The country is known for gorilla trekking, wildlife safaris, national parks and cultural attractions that attract tourists from different parts of the world. A Level 4 warning could make some American visitors reconsider their travel plans, although it does not mean that every part of Uganda faces the same security risks.
The warning is specifically directed at American citizens and should not be interpreted as a universal declaration that Uganda is unsafe for every traveller. Nevertheless, the continued classification puts the country’s security, public health preparedness and road safety record under international scrutiny, as the government seeks to maintain Uganda’s image as a destination for tourism, business and investment.
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