Uganda COVID-19 Travel Protocols & Updates

December 8, 2021 - 6 minutes read

Uganda has revised and updated its COVID-19 travel protocols in line with the latest guidelines from the World Health Organization.

Uganda travel specialist Adventure Consults offers 10 Frequently Asked Questions & Answers about traveling to the East African nation during the pandemic.

  1. What are the key requirements for traveling to Uganda?

Arriving in Uganda, international passengers need to present a negative COVID-19 PCR test certificate issued within 72 hours from the time of sample collection until boarding the aircraft departing their country of origin.

Prior traveling to Uganda, all travelers are advised to register on the Uganda Ministry of Health online portal as a “tourist” via this link: https://arrivals.healthdesk.go.ug. This should be done at least 48 hours prior to travel. Please fill in all details carefully and accurately to avoid delays when you arrive.

  1. Do travelers need another COVID-19 test upon arrival in Uganda?

All arriving passengers (including children above six years of age) — irrespective of vaccination status or country of origin — are required to undertake a mandatory COVID-19 PCR test on arrival at a Uganda airport or any other point of entry.

  1. What are the COVID-19 PCR test requirements for children?

Children below six (6) years of age are exempt from the pre-departure requirement if they are accompanied by parents holding a negative COVID-19 PCR test certificate. They are also exempt from the arrival test.

  1. What’s the cost of testing on arrival and what’s the recommended mode of payment?

Testing on arrival is USD30 per person. Travelers can pay directly or check with Adventure Consults about options for paying through the company.

If you prefer to pay directly, payment must be done before departure from your country of origin to avoid delays on arrival at Entebbe International Airport (EIA) or other entry points. You can pay an online by following this link: https://covidpay.postbank.co.ug.

Adventure Consults reports that some passengers have difficulties with the online payment system, usually due to intermittent system failures. In such cases, we encourage travelers to get in touch with us for timely assistance (sales@adventureconsults.com).

  1. What is the procedure upon arrival at Entebbe Airport or any entry point?

On arrival, all passengers are required to go through the recommended

Port Health procedure that identifies body temperature and symptoms.

After entering the airport terminal (before customs), look for Adventure Consults VIP airport meet-and-greet staff with signage reading “ADVENTURE CONSULTS and YOUR SURNAME.” They will show you to the laboratory specialists to take a COVID-19 swab for testing.

  1. What’s the next step after collecting samples?

After health officials have taken your swab, the Adventure Consults staff will help you through immigration procedures and baggage claim. You will then meet your field guide and transfer to a hotel or proceed with your trip (depending on nature of itinerary).

  1. Does one need to wait for results before proceeding to the hotel? Where do arriving passengers wait for results from?

After taking samples, you are allowed to leave the airport and wait for results from any hotel of your choice or even proceed to the next destination within Uganda.

  1. How long does it take to get results and how are results revealed to travelers?

Results are announced within two hours or less. They are sent directly travelers by email, SMS or WhatsApp. If they are not received, the Adventure Consults office team is always available to assist and follow up.

  1. What happens to travelers who test positive?

Should anyone test positive, they are advised to isolate at any hotel or facility of their choice for seven days, and then carry out another confirmatory test.

In cases where travelers display serious signs of sickness, they are advised to declare the symptoms. If severe symptoms progress, they will be transferred to a hospital of their choice at their own cost.

  1. What are the requirements for departing passengers?

Passengers departing Uganda through Entebbe Airport must have an authentic negative COVID-19 PCR test certificate issued within 72 hours from the time of sample collection to boarding their aircraft.

In case the destination country’s PCR test time requirements defer, they take priority. All COVID-19 PCR test certificates for departing passengers must indicate “travel” as the intended purpose of test. Passengers departing EIA are required to know, understand and interpret COVID-19 requirements for the country they are travelling to.

There are accredited testing labs in major cities and towns around Uganda, as well as national parks. Please check with our team for guidance and appropriate schedules (sales@adventureconsults.com).

Please note that this information covers Uganda’s COVID-19 protocols as they were at the time of compilation. Standard operating procedures (SOPs) keep changing and sometimes on very short notice. Adventure Consults recommends that travelers keep checking with their sales team for the latest information to ensure that everyone meets required travel procedures.