KAMPALA, Uganda — Uganda’s Ministry of Internal Affairs has announced temporary visa extensions for foreign nationals stranded in the country following widespread flight disruptions linked to the escalating conflict involving Iran.
Airspace closures across parts of the Middle East have grounded thousands of flights in recent days, leaving travellers unable to depart or transit through key regional hubs.
Speaking at the government media centre in Kampala, Internal Affairs spokesperson Simon Peter Mundeyi said foreign nationals whose visas have expired due to the disruptions should report to immigration offices to regularise their status.
He added that Ugandans and other travellers who had already cleared departure formalities for Middle Eastern destinations must return to the Immigration Office to cancel their exit records.
This particularly affects passengers who boarded a Fly Dubai flight that was later denied landing clearance in Dubai and forced to return to Entebbe.
Mundeyi warned that failure to amend the records could create complications in future travel.
He explained that immigration systems would continue to reflect that affected passengers had exited Uganda without entry stamps at their intended destinations, potentially raising red flags in subsequent journeys.
According to Mundeyi, between 3,000 and 4,000 travellers have been impacted by the disruptions.
He noted that the situation could also have financial implications for government revenue, given the volume of passport and travel document applications processed daily.
The ministry further advised labour export companies to suspend deployment of workers to Middle Eastern countries until regional stability improves.
Uganda sends thousands of migrant workers to Gulf states each year, particularly to the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, making the travel disruptions economically significant.
Vianney Luggya, spokesperson for the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA), told Uganda Radio Network that the impact is currently limited to routes serving the Middle East.
Flights to other destinations, including African and European cities, continue to operate normally, he said.
Luggya added that some Middle Eastern carriers are resuming operations gradually. Air Arabia operated a flight to Sharjah on Tuesday, and additional airlines are expected to restart services in phases as airspace restrictions ease.
Also Read: Uganda advises citizens in Iran to evacuate or shelter indoors
Air travel across the Gulf region has faced significant disruption following military exchanges between the United States, Israel and Iran.
Several countries temporarily closed or restricted airspace as missile and drone strikes targeted military and infrastructure sites.
Major transit hubs such as Dubai and Doha, critical for African and Asian connecting passengers, have experienced cancellations and diversions, affecting travellers far beyond the immediate conflict zone.
Uganda’s move to extend visas aligns with measures adopted by other countries seeking to prevent stranded foreign nationals from falling into irregular immigration status due to circumstances beyond their control.
Officials have urged affected travellers to monitor airline updates and maintain contact with embassies for further guidance.
