Uganda
Regulations on entry, stay, residence, and treatment access for people living with HIV
The categories of restriction are:
- Unclear restrictions - it is not clear to what extent restrictions apply.
Restrictions on entry to Uganda
It is unclear whether Uganda imposes restrictions on entry of people living with HIV.
According to UNAIDS and the US Department of State , Uganda does not have any HIV-related restrictions on entry.
The Uganda E-Immigration System website contains a list of supporting documents that should be included with an application for an entry permit and the dependant pass, and none of those documents makes reference to HIV or the general health of the applicant.
However, Uganda’s Citizenship and Immigration Control Act gives migration officers the power to request medical examinations and establishes as grounds to prohibit entry both refusing to take such examinations and ‘to be suffering from a contagious or infectious disease which makes his presence in Uganda dangerous to the community.’ It is not clear if HIV could be a grounds for refusal of entry.
Restrictions on short-term stay in Uganda
We found no evidence of any official restrictions on short-term stay in Uganda based on HIV status.
According to UNAIDS and the US Department of State , Uganda does not have any HIV-related restrictions on short-term stay.
The entry permit, dependant pass, student pass allow applicants to stay in the country for some months up to two years. The required documents do not make reference to HIV or the general health of the applicant.
Restrictions on long-term stay in Uganda
It is unclear whether Uganda imposes restrictions on long-term stay of people living with HIV.
According to UNAIDS and the US Department of State, Uganda does not have any HIV-related restrictions on long-term stay.
A certificate of residence must be obtained in case of long stay or marriage. In all the cases and lengths considered for a certificate of residence one of the requirements is a ‘Medical report from a recognised health facility in Uganda indicating the name and signature of the doctor.’ It is not clear if this medical certificate would require HIV disclosure or testing.
Treatment access in Uganda
The following summarises available information on access to healthcare for people living with HIV in Uganda. There is no evidence that non-nationals are restricted from accessing treatment in the same way as nationals.
In Uganda, non-nationals can access HIV treatment through public healthcare services as part of the country’s efforts to provide HIV care to everyone in need.
Key services include antiretroviral therapy (ART), which is available in various government and private health facilities across the country. Public hospitals and clinics provide HIV testing, treatment, and counseling services.
Migrants or non-nationals seeking treatment may face long wait times in public facilities due to high patient volumes, they often also have limited resources. For better access, private healthcare facilities are an alternative, though they may charge higher fees. It’s recommended for non-nationals, especially those staying long-term, to seek guidance from local healthcare providers or non-governmental organisations (NGOs) involved in HIV care for smoother access.
Refugees are allowed to access health services from public health facilities and from non-government organisations that offer HIV/AIDS or Tuberculosis (TB) care free of charge.
For a list of HIV treatment facilities, see here.
Sources
The HIV Justice Network's Global HIV Criminalisation Database
Visit the Uganda page on the Global HIV Criminalisation Database to see more information about known HIV criminalisation laws in this country, an overview of how the laws are used, and any significant advocacy developments.
UNAIDS Global AIDS monitoring data
This information about access to HIV services comes from UNAIDS https://lawsandpolicies.unaids.org/, a platform to view data on HIV-related laws and policies. This is information provided by national authorities and civil society and may contradict other sources.
Migrant populations
| Laws/policies enable documented migrants to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens | Yes |
| Laws/policies enable documented migrants to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens implemented (countries with such laws/policies) | Yes |
| Laws/policies enable undocumented migrants to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens | Yes |
| Laws/policies enable undocumented migrants to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens implemented (countries with such laws/policies) | Yes |
| Migrants are able to access HIV services | Yes |
Refugees and asylum seekers
| Laws/policies enable asylum seekers to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens | No |
| Laws/policies enable asylum seekers to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens implemented (countries with such laws/policies) | Yes |
| Laws/policies enable refugees to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens | No |
| Laws/policies enable refugees to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens implemented (countries with such laws/policies) | Yes |
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This site focuses on information about HIV travel. Please also consult your own Foreign Office/Ministry of Foreign Affairs website, or the local consulate of the country you are visiting, to see what restrictions there are specifically for you as a citizen of your country, regardless of your HIV status.
