Uganda Among 36 Nations Listed in Trump’s Expanded U.S. Visa Ban Proposal

Uganda Among 36 Nations Listed in Trump’s Expanded U.S. Visa Ban Proposal

KAMPALA — June 16, 2025 — Uganda has been named in a draft proposal expanding the U.S. visa ban list to include 36 countries, potentially complicating its long-standing diplomatic and economic relationship with the United States.

According to a leaked U.S. State Department memo reported by The Washington Post, American diplomats have been instructed to notify the governments of the affected countries, including Uganda, of new compliance benchmarks related to visa issuance and immigration cooperation.

Key Compliance Demands

Countries on the list have 60 days to:

  • Improve identity document verification systems
  • Lower visa overstay rates
  • Cooperate more effectively on deportations
  • Address internal governance issues, including fraud and corruption
  • Restrict citizenship-by-investment programs
  • Refrain from actions deemed “anti-American”

The memo is signed by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, signaling a continuation and expansion of former immigration measures introduced by the Trump administration earlier this month.

Growing Trade, Growing Risk

Uganda’s inclusion in the proposed ban comes at a time of increasing bilateral trade. U.S. Census Bureau figures show that in 2024, $106 million in goods were exported from the U.S. to Uganda, while $132 million was imported from Uganda—bringing total trade volume to $238 million.

Data from the Office of Economic Complexity reveals that U.S. exports to Uganda jumped 282% between April 2024 and April 2025, signaling deepening economic ties now at risk.

Regional Security and Diplomatic Fallout

Uganda has played a vital role in U.S.-led security and peacekeeping operations, particularly through its involvement in the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS). The visa ban, if implemented, may jeopardize ongoing cooperation in regional security, counterterrorism, and humanitarian missions.

Although Ugandan authorities have not publicly responded to the report, foreign policy experts warn that the ban could hurt Ugandan students, entrepreneurs, exporters, and diaspora families who rely on U.S. visas for education, trade, and reunification.

Political Reactions and Accusations of Xenophobia

Within the United States, the proposal has drawn criticism—particularly from Democrats and human rights groups—who argue that the ban disproportionately targets African and non-Western countries, reinforcing patterns of xenophobia.

The Trump administration maintains that the restrictions are not politically motivated, but rather a continuation of stricter immigration protocols aimed at national security and legal compliance.

Affected countries have until early August 2025 to present corrective action plans to the U.S. State Department. Decisions on enforcement are expected shortly thereafter.

Ugandan businesses in agriculture, horticulture, tourism, and manufacturing are watching the situation closely, wary of the possible disruptions to investment and international partnerships.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vg2Fd1RS1wQ&themeRefresh=1

spot_img

More like this

Museveni Urges UPDF Officers to Shun Corruption, Embrace Modern...

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni urges UPDF officers to reject corruption. He warned that it damages the army’s...

Chaos in Mawogola South as Aspirant Missing

Mawogola South Aspirant Vanishes Before Primaries Mawogola South aspirant Denis Ddumba vanished just hours before the NRM parliamentary...

Violence Erupts During NRM Primaries in Eastern Uganda

NRM Primaries Violence Leaves One Dead, UPDF Soldier Injured The NRM primaries violence in eastern Uganda has turned...