Uganda International Arrivals COVID-19 Pre-Registration
Complete the Uganda International Arrivals COVID-19 Pre-Registration online before travel — mandatory arrival PCR testing and timed slots at Entebbe (EBB).
What Is the Uganda International Arrivals COVID-19 Pre-Registration?
The Uganda International Arrivals COVID-19 Pre-Registration is a government-mandated online health pre-registration and appointment system for international passengers arriving into Uganda. Launched via the Ministry of Health Point of Entry (POE) screening platform, the system centralises traveller health declarations, timing for mandatory arrival PCR tests at ports of entry, and basic triage data to protect public health and speed processing at busy international arrival points.
Apply through the official POE portal at poe-screening.health.go.ug or use DoVisa for guided completion and confirmation checks. On approval or booking you receive a printable confirmation/appointment and an email—save the confirmation and bring the PCR test booking details to immigration and the health testing area at the port of entry. Appointments help space testing and reduce queue times at Entebbe and other entry points.
This pre-registration supports immigration processing but is not a travel visa — it is a health pre-registration tied to a single trip and the time window around your arrival. The declaration complements Uganda's existing visa and entry rules (visas are handled through the Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control at immigration.go.ug), and travellers should still hold the necessary visa or travel authorisation. Recent policy updates require completion of the traveller health declaration within 24 hours of flight time and confirm mandatory testing on arrival at Entebbe (see official guidance).
For full Uganda travel rules see Uganda visa information and the Ministry of Health POE registration portal at poe-screening.health.go.ug. Apply for your Uganda International Arrivals COVID-19 Pre-Registration now to secure your testing slot before departure.
Who Needs the Uganda International Arrivals COVID-19 Pre-Registration?
Who Needs It
- All international passengers arriving into Uganda who will clear immigration at a port of entry
- Passengers booked on international flights to Entebbe and other official entry points must pre-register within the required window
- Travellers of all ages, except those specifically exempted below, should complete the traveller health declaration
Who Is Exempt
- Children below 5 years (exempt from completing the health declaration per Ministry of Health POE guidance)
- Diplomatic and official passport holders on accredited government business
- Airline and vessel crew on active official duty
Uganda Entry Requirements & Restrictions
Passport Validity
Your passport should be valid for at least 6 months from the date of arrival and include a blank page for immigration stamps. See Uganda Immigration for full visa and passport rules.
Vaccination & COVID-19 Testing
Travellers should hold a valid COVID-19 vaccination certificate or a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours prior to the first port of embarkation; additionally, arrival PCR testing is mandatory at certain ports per official POE guidance. See the Ministry of Health POE portal at poe-screening.health.go.ug and CDC guidance at CDC Uganda.
Yellow Fever
A Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate is required for most travellers — the CDC notes vaccination is required for travellers ≥1 year old. Carry the official certificate for inspection at entry.
Customs & Restricted Imports
Uganda restricts or prohibits certain imports — examples include pornographic material, many used electronics and appliances, and items requiring licences. Recent controls also restrict Starlink equipment without authorisation. See the Ministry of Trade and the Trade Guide at trade.gov Uganda — restricted imports and the MTIC guidance at mtic.go.ug.
Travel Insurance & Health Advice
Travel insurance is strongly recommended — medical evacuation to Kampala or overseas may be necessary for serious illness. Check travel advisories from your government for security and health alerts (e.g., travel.state.gov).
Travel Tips for Uganda Visitors
Uganda is a landlocked East African nation famed for wildlife, rainforests and the Source of the Nile. Most international flights arrive at Entebbe International Airport (EBB), the country's principal international gateway. Domestic airstrips connect parks and regional towns — check with your lodge about transfers.
- Currency: Ugandan Shilling (UGX). US dollars (USD) are commonly accepted in hotels and lodges—carry some local currency for markets and local transport.
- Language: English is an official language and widely used in business and tourism; Luganda and other local languages are common regionally.
- Time zone: East Africa Time — GMT+3.
- Best time to visit: December–February and June–September generally offer drier conditions for gorilla trekking and safari drives.
- Security: Exercise heightened caution in border regions and follow local travel advisories; register with your embassy if staying long-term.
- Health: Bring insect repellent, antimalarial advice if visiting endemic zones, and carry your yellow fever and COVID-19 certificates for inspection.
- Transfers: Road transfers are common; domestic flights reduce travel time to parks. Confirm arrival testing slots and transfer timing with your lodge.
- Documents: Save a screenshot of your POE confirmation and your PCR appointment — airport queues can be long and printing facilities are limited.
"Used DoVisa to complete the Uganda International Arrivals COVID-19 Pre-Registration before our safari. The PCR appointment for Entebbe arrived by email and the health desk scanned the confirmation at the testing area — smooth process."
"Booked my arrival PCR slot via the POE portal with DoVisa help. Airport staff at Entebbe (EBB) checked the booking and my negative pre-departure PCR before immigration — everything lined up."
"Fast and clear. The confirmation email included appointment time for the mandatory arrival PCR — presented it at the health screening and got tested quickly."
"Completed the POE health declaration on my phone. Support helped when a field was confusing; kept the QR/confirmation screenshot handy and boarding at my departure airport went without delay."
"Helpful guidance, but the slot timing at Entebbe changed once — support rebooked my appointment quickly so I didn't miss my lodge transfer."
"The pre-registration cut the queue at the testing lane. DoVisa's checklist made sure I uploaded my yellow fever certificate and passport info correctly."
"All good overall; minor delay receiving the confirmation email but it arrived well before departure. The health desk at EBB scanned the QR and we proceeded to testing."
"Photo upload was tricky on my phone and I had to resize twice. Support helped and the appointment was confirmed the same day — arrived in time for testing at Entebbe."
"I completed the Uganda International Arrivals COVID-19 Pre-Registration for a business trip and appreciated the clear instructions about the 24-hour submission window and arrival testing procedure."
"Family trip: we completed separate declarations for each child (under 5 exempt). The confirmation emails had appointment times which matched our lodge transfer schedule."
"Used DoVisa to complete the Uganda International Arrivals COVID-19 Pre-Registration before our safari. The PCR appointment for Entebbe arrived by email and the health desk scanned the confirmation at the testing area — smooth process."
"Booked my arrival PCR slot via the POE portal with DoVisa help. Airport staff at Entebbe (EBB) checked the booking and my negative pre-departure PCR before immigration — everything lined up."
"Fast and clear. The confirmation email included appointment time for the mandatory arrival PCR — presented it at the health screening and got tested quickly."
Uganda International Arrivals COVID-19 Pre-Registration: Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Apply for Your Uganda International Arrivals COVID-19 Pre-Registration?
Book your mandatory arrival PCR appointment and complete the POE health declaration in minutes. Get expert help and confirmation before you travel.
Check Price & Apply NowSources & References
- Ministry of Health Uganda — POE Registration / Traveller Health Declaration
- Uganda Tourism Board — COVID Travel Updates
- Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control — Visa & Immigration Notices
- CDC — Travelers' Health: Uganda
- U.S. Department of State — Uganda Travel Advisory
- Trade.gov — Uganda Prohibited & Restricted Imports
- Ministry of Trade, Industry & Cooperatives — Restricted Products & Permits
- Uganda Tourism Board — International Travelers Health & Sanitation Protocol