Uganda Joins Kenya, Tanzania and Others in Rolling Out AFCON 2027 Visa Fee Waivers and Advancing Common East Africa Visa to Boost Tourism, Ease Cross-Border Travel and Increase Visitor Access Across Kampala, Nairobi and Dar es Salaam : Find the Latest New Visa Rules and Update

Written By: Abhirup Gan

Abhirup Gan

I'm Abhirup Gan, a Mass Communication graduate and digital marketing professional. Driven by a passion for storytelling, I create insightful, research-led content that explores tourism trends, destination stories, and hospitality developments with depth and clarity. Through my writing, I hope to inspire readers to discover not only where to travel, but the stories, cultures, and experiences that make every journey meaningful.

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April 16, 2026 10:58 AM

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Uganda Joins Kenya, Tanzania and Others in Rolling Out AFCON 2027 Visa Fee Waivers and Advancing the Common East Africa Visa to Boost Tourism, Ease Cross-Border Travel and Increase Visitor Access

If you’re planning to travel to East Africa for one of the continent’s biggest sporting events, here’s something you need to know right away: Uganda is already preparing to make your journey easier.

As of April 2026, Uganda has officially confirmed a three-month visa fee waiver for visitors travelling during the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). The announcement, made in Kampala, is part of a broader strategy to streamline travel, increase tourist arrivals, and improve regional connectivity as Uganda co-hosts the tournament with Kenya and Tanzania under the “Pamoja 2027” initiative.

This is not just about football; it’s about making East Africa more accessible for fans, tourists, and global visitors.

Visa Fee Waiver: What Travellers Need to Know

The most immediate and impactful announcement is the removal of visa fees for visitors travelling to Uganda during a defined three-month window.

Timeline of Visa Fee Waiver

During this period:

• Visitors entering Uganda will not be required to pay visa fees
• The waiver applies to all eligible international travellers
• The policy is designed to support fans, officials, media, and tourists

However, entry requirements will still apply.

What Does the Waiver Include?

The visa waiver focuses on cost removal, not process removal.

• Travellers may still need to apply for an electronic visa (e-Visa)
• Documentation requirements remain in place
• Immigration checks and approvals will continue

This means:

• Entry remains regulated
• Processing continues through official channels
• Only the fee component is waived

Where to Apply: Uganda Entry Process

Visitors travelling to Uganda will continue using:

• Official Uganda e-Visa portal

Key Steps:

1. Submit passport details
2. Upload required documents
3. Complete the application online
4. Receive approval before travel

The only difference during AFCON 2027 will be:

• No visa fee payment required during the waiver period

Common Visa Plan: Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania

Alongside the visa waiver, Uganda has reaffirmed its support for a common regional visa with:

• Kenya
• Tanzania

This proposed system, often referred to as the “Pamoja Visa”, aims to simplify cross-border travel across the three host nations.

Why the Common Visa Matters

Currently, travel across these countries requires separate entry permissions:

The proposed common visa would:

• Allow single-entry access to all three countries
• Reduce paperwork for travellers
• Improve movement for teams, fans, and media

How It Differs from Existing Visa Systems

East Africa already offers a regional visa—but with limitations.

East Africa Tourist Visa

• Covers: Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda
• Does NOT include Tanzania

The proposed AFCON-related visa would:

• Include Tanzania
• Align with tournament travel needs
• Cover key host cities and venues

Current Status of the Common Visa

• Proposal under discussion between governments
• Immigration authorities are yet to finalise the implementation
• Practical rollout details still pending

For now:

• Travellers must follow country-specific entry rules
• No unified visa has been officially launched

AFCON 2027: Infrastructure and Tourism Readiness

Uganda is not just changing visa policies—it is preparing across multiple sectors.

Areas of Development

• Stadium construction and upgrades
• Road infrastructure improvements
• Hotel capacity expansion
• Airport support and logistics
• Tourism marketing campaigns

These efforts are being monitored by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), which has already conducted inspection visits across Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania.

Role of Kampala as a Tourism Gateway

Kampala will serve as a major hub for:

• Match hosting
• Tourist accommodation
• Cultural experiences

Travellers arriving in Uganda during AFCON can expect:

• Increased hospitality services
• Organised transport systems
• Enhanced tourism packages

Regional Travel Flow During AFCON

The co-hosting model means travellers are likely to move between:

• Kampala (Uganda)
• Nairobi (Kenya)
• Dar es Salaam (Tanzania)

With or without a common visa, travel demand across these cities is expected to increase significantly.

Tourism Impact: What Changes for Travellers

1. Lower Travel Costs

• Visa fee removal reduces entry expenses
• Encourages longer stays

2. Easier Planning

• Simplified visa process during the waiver period
• Potential for multi-country travel

3. Increased Accessibility

• More tourists are likely to visit East Africa
• Boost for regional tourism circuits

What Travellers Should Prepare

Even with visa fee waivers:

• A valid passport is mandatory
• Travel documents must be submitted
• Entry approvals are still required

Travellers should also:

• Apply early through official portals
• Monitor updates on the common visa rollout
• Plan multi-country itineraries carefully

Key Takeaways

• Uganda will waive visa fees for three months around AFCON 2027
• Waiver covers May to July 2027
• Entry process remains active via the e-Visa system
• Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania are working on a common visa system
• Current entry rules still apply separately for each country
• Kampala, Nairobi, and Dar es Salaam will be key travel hubs
• Tourism infrastructure upgrades are underway across all host nations

Quick Summary Table

Conclusion :

As preparations continue, Uganda’s visa waiver and regional visa discussions signal a clear shift toward more accessible travel in East Africa. For visitors planning their AFCON 2027 journey, the region is aligning its tourism and travel systems to handle one of Africa’s biggest events—making movement smoother, faster, and more connected across borders.