Uganda Denies Entry to Taiwanese: Not China’s Doing, But Linked to Taiwan’s Own Policy

A series of unfriendly actions against Taiwan have emerged across Africa. Following Morocco’s sudden halt in July to visa confirmation letter (VCL) applications for Taiwanese citizens, East African Uganda has also reportedly detained Taiwanese passport holders and deported them on the same flight. Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) confirmed on the 8th to Storm Media that it is aware of the situation. The Taipei Representative Office in Somaliland, which concurrently handles Ugandan affairs, immediately provided necessary assistance through the Taiwan Business Association in Uganda. However, MOFA indicated that this incident may be related to a prior policy measure taken by Taiwan’s government.

Unfriendly actions from African nations toward Taiwan have now affected seven countries this year. As China’s influence grows across Africa, President Lai Ching-te’s planned late-April visit to Eswatini—the only African ally—was reportedly disrupted by Beijing’s interference, leading three East African island nations to abruptly cancel flight permissions for the presidential aircraft. Lai eventually visited in early May via Eswatini’s royal plane.

In late March, Cameroon in Central Africa downgraded Taiwan’s visa privileges, forcing Taiwan to miss a WTO ministerial meeting for the first time in 25 years since joining. In June, at the 'Our Ocean Conference' (OOC) held in Kenya, Taiwanese scholars were denied entry, had their passports and phones seized for over 20 hours, and an accompanying official’s Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) was suddenly revoked before departure.

In late July, Morocco’s government unexpectedly ordered all its overseas missions to suspend processing visa confirmation letters (VCL). As Taiwanese currently cannot apply for Morocco’s e-visa, short-term business or travel to Morocco depends solely on obtaining a VCL through its embassy. In response, Taiwan’s MOFA announced on July 30 that, based on reciprocity, it would temporarily suspend visa applications for Moroccan nationals, except for special cases.

In early August, two consecutive incidents occurred in Uganda, neighboring Kenya, where Taiwanese passport holders were detained by immigration authorities, denied entry, and deported on the same flight. MOFA confirmed to Storm Media on the 8th that it has received reports of Taiwanese having their passports seized and being denied entry at Ugandan airports. The Taipei Representative Office in Somaliland has provided immediate assistance in coordination with the Taiwan Business Association in Uganda.

Notably, while Cameroon and Kenya’s actions are widely attributed to Chinese influence, MOFA stated that Uganda’s case may instead be linked to Taiwan’s own policy: in response to rising Ebola cases, Taiwan suspended visa issuance to Ugandan nationals and restricted their entry starting June 2.

MOFA added that the Representative Office in Somaliland will continue to engage Ugandan authorities on visa issues and provide necessary support and care to affected citizens. According to Taiwan’s Bureau of Consular Affairs, the travel advisory for Uganda remains at Level 4—'Red: Leave Immediately,' issued on May 27. MOFA urges citizens considering travel to Uganda to carefully assess potential risks. In case of emergencies, contact the emergency hotline of the Taipei Representative Office in Somaliland (+252-636-292-616) or the MOFA’s 'Overseas Compatriot Emergency Service Hotline' (+886-800-085-095) for immediate assistance.