The United Arab Emirates has lifted precautionary entry measures imposed on Ugandan nationals in June following the Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak. According to the UAE's National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority, the decision was made in coordination with the Ministry of Health and Prevention and the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security. This move comes after an assessment of the Ebola situation in Uganda and the end of the outbreak.
The restrictions were introduced on June 6 and affected nationals of Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and South Sudan. The UAE suspended the issuance of new visas to nationals of the three countries and restricted travellers arriving from the affected countries from entering the UAE unless they had spent at least 21 days outside them. Uganda had challenged the restrictions at the time, arguing that the measures did not reflect the situation on the ground.
The country's Ebola cases were linked to the outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, with infected people crossing into Uganda, including patients who sought medical treatment in Kampala. By July 14, Uganda had recorded 20 confirmed cases, according to the World Health Organization. Fifteen of these cases were imported from the Democratic Republic of Congo, while five were secondary infections involving contacts and health workers linked to the imported cases.
The World Health Organization reported that there was no community transmission in Uganda. Uganda's Ministry of Health argued that blanket travel restrictions were disproportionate and could penalise countries that quickly detect and report outbreaks. The restrictions also went beyond WHO recommendations, which advised countries against general travel and trade restrictions.
Instead, WHO recommended surveillance, contact monitoring, isolation of cases, and exit screening in affected areas. Uganda subsequently contained the transmission chains and completed the required monitoring period without further cases. The Ministry of Health said investigations had established the source and route of introduction of the virus, while surveillance found no unexplained community transmission.
The UAE's decision to lift the restrictions follows Uganda's successful containment of the Ebola outbreak. The move is expected to ease travel and trade between the two countries. The UAE's National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority made the announcement on September 26, allowing for the resumption of normal travel and visa issuance.
The lifting of restrictions is a significant development for Uganda, which had been affected by the travel restrictions since June. The country's Ministry of Health had argued that the restrictions were unfair and had a negative impact on the country's economy and people. With the restrictions lifted, Ugandans can now travel to the UAE without facing additional hurdles.
Key points
- The UAE has lifted Ebola-related entry restrictions on Ugandans imposed in June.
- The restrictions were introduced due to the Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak in Uganda.
- The UAE's decision to lift the restrictions follows Uganda's successful containment of the Ebola outbreak.
