UAE lifts Ebola-related visa suspension for Ugandan nationals
The UAE announced on 11 November 2026 that it is easing the entry measures it introduced in June over Ebola, allowing Ugandans to enter if 21 days have passed since they left Uganda. Restrictions remain for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Sudan.
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The story, neutrally told
Centre · 2The UAE announced on Wednesday 11 November 2026 that it was easing the precautionary entry measures it applies to Ugandan nationals. Gulf NewsN “The UAE on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, announced the easing of precautionary entry measures for Ugandan nationals.” Read at Gulf News ↗ The NationalN “The easing of restrictions, announced on Wednesday, follows precautionary measures introduced in June” Read at The National ↗ Centre · 1The announcement came from the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA), the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) and the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP). Gulf NewsN “The National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA), in coordination with the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) and the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP), made the announcement.” Read at Gulf News ↗ Centre · 2The measures dated from June 2026 and were a response to developments related to the Ebola virus outbreak in Uganda. Gulf NewsN “The measures were introduced in June 2026 in response to developments related to the Ebola virus.” Read at Gulf News ↗ The NationalN “follows precautionary measures introduced in June due to the” Read at The National ↗
Centre · 2The suspension on issuing new visas to Ugandans has been lifted, and they can enter the UAE provided at least 21 days have passed since they left Uganda. Gulf NewsN “the suspension on issuing new visas to Ugandan nationals has been lifted, allowing them to enter the UAE provided that at least 21 days have passed since their departure from Uganda.” Read at Gulf News ↗ The NationalN “Passport holders can now enter the Emirates provided at least 21 days have passed since they left their country.” Read at The National ↗ Centre · 2Ugandan students enrolled at UAE educational institutions before June 2026 may enter, along with their family members, under approved health procedures. Gulf NewsN “Ugandan students who were enrolled in educational institutions in the UAE before June 2026 will also be permitted to enter the country” Read at Gulf News ↗ The NationalN “Ugandan students enrolled in educational institutions in the UAE before June 2026 will also be permitted to enter the country, along with their family members” Read at The National ↗ Centre · 2Administrative staff at the Ugandan embassy who hold ordinary passports, and their families, may also enter, as may holders of diplomatic and special passports issued by Uganda under the health procedures for exempted categories. Gulf NewsN “Entry will also be permitted for administrative staff at the Embassy of the Republic of Uganda in the UAE who hold ordinary passports, as well as their family members” Read at Gulf News ↗ The NationalN “Holders of diplomatic and special passports issued by the Ugandan government will be permitted to enter under the health procedures applicable to exempted categories” Read at The National ↗
Centre · 2Humanitarian and medical cases will be assessed individually; those travelling for treatment must submit medical reports giving their diagnosis, the healthcare facility and the scheduled start date of treatment. Gulf NewsN “Individuals travelling to the UAE for medical treatment will be required to submit approved medical reports specifying their diagnosis” Read at Gulf News ↗ The NationalN “Humanitarian and medical cases will be assessed individually.” Read at The National ↗ Centre · 2Measures for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Sudan remain in place because of the health situation in both countries. Gulf NewsN “the precautionary measures currently in place for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of South Sudan will remain in effect” Read at Gulf News ↗ The NationalN “The suspension of new visas will continue for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Sudan, given the health situation in both countries.” Read at The National ↗ Centre · 1The National adds that the travel suspension covers passengers transiting through the UAE, unless they have spent more than 21 days outside the three African countries before arriving. The NationalN “The travel suspension includes passengers transiting through the UAE, unless they have spent more than 21 days outside the three African countries before arriving in the UAE.” Read at The National ↗
Centre · 2The authorities said the measures reflect a commitment to protecting public health and that they will keep monitoring the epidemiological situation and update the measures as risks change. Gulf NewsN “The authorities said they will continue to monitor the epidemiological situation and update precautionary measures in line with emerging developments and risk assessments.” Read at Gulf News ↗ The NationalN “The authorities will continue to monitor the epidemiological situation and update precautionary measures in line with emerging developments and risk assessments.” Read at The National ↗
Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on. The pill in front of each says where its sources sit: Left, Centre or Right when one side supplies at least half of them, Mixed when they are evenly split. The number is how many outlets it cites.
Left0 outlets
No left outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
Centre2 outlets
- Framing
- Both outlets report the announcement as a straightforward official notice, relaying the authorities' stated rationale of protecting public health. The National's headline names Ebola explicitly; Gulf News' headline refers only to a visa suspension.
- Emphasis
- Entry conditions, exempted categories (students, embassy staff, diplomats) and medical-case rules, plus the continued restrictions on Congo and South Sudan.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Neither gives Uganda's reaction, case numbers or the current state of the outbreak. Only The National mentions transit passengers; Gulf News does not.
- For example
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“NCEMA, MoHAP, and ICP reaffirmed that these measures reflect the UAE’s commitment to protecting public health” — Gulf News
“The UAE said that these measures reflect the country’s commitment to protecting public health, strengthening preparedness and responding to health risks.” — The National
Right0 outlets
No right outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
What every side reports
- The UAE announced the easing on 11 November 2026.
- New visas for Ugandans resume, with entry allowed 21 days after leaving Uganda.
- Students enrolled before June 2026, Ugandan embassy administrative staff and diplomatic or special passport holders may enter.
- Restrictions remain for the DR Congo and South Sudan.
- Authorities will keep monitoring and may update the measures.
United Arab Emirates place
UAE authorities present the easing as a calibrated public-health step, with continued monitoring and the right to update measures.
“The authorities said they will continue to monitor the epidemiological situation and update precautionary measures in line with emerging developments and risk assessments.” — Gulf News
Uganda place
Uganda's government is not quoted. Its nationals are the subject of the easing, and its embassy staff and diplomats are among the permitted categories.
“holders of diplomatic and special passports issued by the Government of the Republic of Uganda will be permitted to enter the UAE” — Gulf News
Left0 articles
No coverage yet.
Centre2 articles
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UAE lifts visa suspension for Ugandan nationals
Neutral Official-announcement report with subheads on students, diplomats, medical cases and the Congo and South Sudan restrictions.
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UAE lifts Ebola-related visa suspension for Ugandans
Neutral Concise report that names Ebola in the headline and links back to earlier UAE coverage, adding the transit-passenger rule.
Right0 articles
No coverage yet.
- 11 Nov 06:38 First Gulf NewsN UAE lifts visa suspension for Ugandan nationals
- 11 Nov 08:07 +1h 29m The NationalN UAE lifts Ebola-related visa suspension for Ugandans
Times are when each article was published, or when we first saw it if the outlet gave no time.
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