Uganda Flings Open Gates to DR Congo Neighbors Through New Visa-Free Travel
Uganda–the East African nation is gearing up to scrap visa requirements and roll out the welcome mat for all travelers from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) starting New Year’s Day 2024.
In a gesture aimed at easing cross-border mobility and strengthening regional ties, Uganda announced that Congolese citizens will no longer need to obtain visas prior to visiting its territory as of January 1st. Visitors from Africa’s second largest country can enter freely through approved border points. The policy change promises to boost tourism and trade in both directions across the long-shared national boundary. Ugandan officials project the open border access will allow Congolese travelers and entrepreneurs to more easily conduct commerce, invest in opportunities and experience Uganda’s iconic safaris, ecotourism and bustling urban hubs like Kampala.
In turn, Uganda is betting on the move to accelerate greater regional integration and collaboration within the East African Community (EAC) economic bloc to which both countries belong alongside neighbors like Rwanda, Kenya and Tanzania. While additional countries in the region offer visa-free access to certain African nationalities, Uganda is the first to unilaterally open up to the DRC. By removing cross-border mobility barriers, Ugandan governmental bodies and private sector players are positioning early to benefit from the anticipated influx of visitors and business partners.
From local hoteliers gearing up with targeted French-language marketing campaigns to tour operators designing value-packed excursions, “jambo” (welcome) mats made in Uganda stand ready to roll out for Congolese guests. Guidebooks promising highlights from rafting the Nile to trekking endangered mountain gorillas will surely see pages turned by leisure travelers benefiting from the pre-approved entry passes.
So shine your shoes, brush up on some Lingala phrases and get ready to salsa across shared borders freely.
