By Our Reporter
In a move that could severely disrupt travel, education, business, and healthcare access, Uganda and Tanzania are among 36 nations—including 25 in Africa—facing potential U.S. visa bans, according to a leaked confidential memo from the U.S. State Department published by The Washington Post.
The memo, signed by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, outlines a sweeping expansion of travel restrictions under directives from President Donald Trump’s administration. The targeted countries now face a 60-day ultimatum to comply with heightened U.S. security and identity verification standards—or risk being hit with full or partial visa bans.
Uganda and its East African neighbor Tanzania have been flagged for weak civil documentation systems, high visa overstay rates, and lax citizenship policies, among other concerns. The memo also alleges that nationals from certain countries have participated in anti-American or antisemitic activities while on U.S. soil—claims that could further harden Washington’s stance.
“Countries that fail to meet the benchmarks by the deadline will be subject to immediate visa restrictions,” the memo warns.
The fallout for Uganda and Tanzania could be immense. Hundreds of Ugandans travel to the U.S. annually to access advanced healthcare unavailable locally—including cancer treatment, maternal care, and organ transplants. Others pursue higher education, with the U.S. ranking as a top destination for postgraduate programs, scholarships, and technical training.
For Tanzania, which has seen increased student and business travel to North America in recent years, the implications are just as serious.
Professionals, investors, and political elites from both nations regularly travel to the U.S. for conferences, trade fairs, family visits, and diplomatic engagements. A travel ban could halt or significantly complicate these vital interactions.
The threat comes despite ongoing partnerships between Uganda and the U.S. on military cooperation, regional security, and public health. This includes programs that rely heavily on technical exchange and field visits—many of which could now face disruption.
Tanzania, which has also worked with the U.S. on wildlife conservation, counterterrorism, and health initiatives, could see key development collaborations strained if restrictions take effect.
Targeted countries have been instructed to submit a compliance plan by Wednesday, 8 a.m. (1200 GMT). The plan must address critical gaps in passport integrity, data-sharing practices, and border control systems.
Failure to comply may see Uganda, Tanzania, and others added to the list of countries already facing travel restrictions. Just last week, the Trump administration reinstated full travel bans on 13 nations—including Somalia and Sudan—and partial bans on another seven, among them Burundi.
Other African nations on the expanded watchlist include Egypt, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Liberia, Malawi, Cameroon, and Zimbabwe, pointing to what analysts call the largest U.S. visa crackdown on African nations in recent memory.
With details on enforcement still murky, and official responses from Kampala and Dodoma yet to be issued, panic is quietly setting in among East Africans who depend on U.S. access for critical services and opportunities.
As the clock ticks down, Uganda and Tanzania face a diplomatic test with serious consequences—not just for their citizens, but for the future of their engagement with the world’s largest economy.