President Donald Trump is weighing new travel restrictions on Ugandan nationals and others from several countries, citing concerns over national security and cooperation with US immigration policies. A recent report by The Washington Post lists Uganda among 36 countries targeted under a potential expansion of the US travel ban policy.
According to a White House statement dated June 4, the proposed restrictions aim to protect the United States from potential threats posed by foreign terrorists and other national security risks. The US government expects the countries on the list to meet specific demands, including accepting deported nationals and cooperating in repatriating citizens who violate visa terms.
Efforts to obtain an official response from Uganda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding the report were unsuccessful. Calls to Foreign Affairs Minister Gen Jeje Odongo, State Minister Okello Oryem, and Permanent Secretary Vincent Bagiire went unanswered by press time.
The White House emphasized that the proposed travel restrictions would be used as leverage to encourage foreign governments to comply with US immigration and security policies. The administration underlined the need for better identity-sharing mechanisms and effective vetting systems to screen out individuals who may pose security risks before entering the US.
President Trump’s directive argues that some countries demonstrate a high rate of visa overstays, suggesting disregard for immigration laws and adding strain to enforcement agencies. He also pointed to the threat of terrorism in certain regions as a factor behind the proposed measures.
Uganda, which has more than 30,000 nationals living in the United States, could face severe repercussions if the ban is enacted. Ugandans in the US play a significant role in sending remittances back home and often seek American education and medical services.
The administration expects all named countries to improve their vetting procedures, comply with US deportation orders, and share critical threat intelligence. Failure to meet these benchmarks within a 60-day period may result in the enforcement of the travel restrictions.
The list of African countries reportedly under review includes Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Egypt, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Malawi, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.