US lists Uganda among dangerous travel destinations

In its Level 4 travel advisory issued on Monday, November 9, 2026, the US government has instructed American citizens not to travel to Uganda for any reason, citing security threats, health concerns, terrorism and civil unrest.

Uganda appears on the list alongside countries including Somalia, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Sudan, Russia, Iran, Afghanistan and North Korea.

The advisory was highlighted by the US Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs, which operates a four-tier travel warning system to inform Americans about potential risks in foreign destinations.

Level 4 is the most severe category, reserved for countries where conditions pose serious risks to travellers or where the US government has limited ability to provide emergency assistance to its citizens.

The department warns that destinations under this category are dangerous and advises Americans not to visit them under any circumstances.

“We issue Travel Advisories with Levels 1 – 4. Level 4 means DO NOT TRAVEL. We assign Level 4 based on local conditions and/or our limited ability to help Americans there. These places are dangerous. Do not go for ANY reason,” the statement reads in part.

According to the US government’s official Uganda travel advisory, the country is classified under Level 4 because of four major risk indicators: crime, health, terrorism and civil unrest.

The advisory warns that violent and other forms of crime can occur at any time, particularly in major urban centres, the Karamoja region and areas along Uganda’s western and northern borders.

It also raises concerns about the threat of terrorist attacks, warning that both Ugandans and foreign visitors have previously been killed in attacks targeting public places.

The US government identifies religious venues, schools, government buildings, police stations, transport hubs and tourist destinations, including national parks, as potential targets.

On civil unrest, the advisory cautioned that protests can occur with little or no warning, particularly around political issues and election-related events.

The health risk is also a major factor, with the US government warning that its ability to provide emergency consular assistance to American citizens in Uganda is limited because of the Ebola outbreak.

Ebola outbreak raises additional travel concerns

Uganda’s Level 4 classification has also been linked to the regional Ebola threat.

According to the advisory’s history, the US raised Uganda’s travel warning from Level 3 to Level 4 on May 17, 2026, following the Bundibugyo Ebola Virus Disease outbreak in Ituri Province in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The health risk indicator was subsequently added to the country’s advisory.

The US government has maintained the highest warning level, with its June 4, 2026 update retaining the Level 4 classification.

Beyond the security and health threats, the US government has cautioned that its ability to provide emergency assistance to American citizens in Uganda is limited.

The advisory says police in the country face challenges responding to serious crimes because of resource constraints.

It also warns American travellers to exercise caution when using roads, particularly at night.

The State Department cites Uganda’s road safety challenges, noting that 25,808 people were casualties of road crashes in 2024, including 5,144 reported deaths.

The advisory specifically warns about highway travel after dark, including on the road connecting Entebbe International Airport to Kampala.

US Embassy employees are prohibited from driving after dark on roads outside major cities and towns, except on the Kampala-Entebbe airport road.