Tourism entrepreneur Amos Wekesa has criticised a newly introduced United States visa bond requirement, describing it as unfair, discriminatory and harmful to Ugandan businesses operating in a global market.
Under the new policy, which takes effect on January 21, 2026, Ugandans applying for US B1/B2 visitor visas for tourism and business travel may be required to deposit a refundable bond ranging from Shs18 million to Shs56 million ($5,000 to $15,000).
The requirement is part of a 12-month pilot programme by the US government aimed at reducing visa overstays.
Wekesa said the measure places an additional financial burden on Ugandans seeking international business opportunities, particularly those in tourism and trade.
“Just imagine, as a local tour operator based in Uganda, I compete with an American here in tourism,” Wekesa said in a post on X, formerly Twitter.
“He can wake up and travel to America or Europe any day without needing a visa, where we both get business. Then he comes back and gets an Ugandan visa without hustle. That is not a level playing field.”
Wekesa, who runs several travel and hospitality ventures across East Africa, warned that the bond requirement would significantly raise the cost of doing business for Ugandan entrepreneurs.
“As an Ugandan entrepreneur, I already face challenges running a business in my own country. Now, I have another challenge externally, a barrier just to travel and explore business opportunities abroad. This is not just unfair, it is crippling,” he said.
He also faulted what he described as weak diplomatic lobbying by Uganda, arguing that neighbouring countries such as Kenya and Rwanda have avoided similar restrictions.
“Our neighbours aren’t on that radar because of strong lobbying by their foreign affairs ministries. Meanwhile, our people pay the price. No country grows when its entrepreneurs have hands tied. We need policies that empower our people, not handcuff them,” Wekesa said.
According to him, the new requirement could have wider consequences for Uganda’s tourism industry, which competes globally with destinations whose citizens enjoy visa-free or less restrictive access to major markets.
“Tourism is global. If my clients or partners in the US face financial barriers to come here or for me to go there, the flow of business shrinks. This affects jobs, investment and the whole economy,” he said.
“We are talking about tens of millions of shillings upfront, money that could otherwise grow our businesses locally.”
However, Uganda’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Adonia Ayebare, rejected claims that the policy reflects diplomatic failure, arguing instead that it is driven by visa non-compliance by some Ugandans.
“Brother Amos, I understand your frustration but you're blaming the wrong entity, Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The visa bond by US is due to the bad manners of our people that overstay their visas,” Ayebare said.
“The countries you’re mentioning have a low percentage of visa overstays and this is mainly due to the ethics of their business people that respect visa rules,” he added, noting that other countries have also raised concerns about visa violations by Ugandans.
Under the pilot programme, payment of the bond does not guarantee visa approval, with final decisions remaining at the discretion of US consular officers.
While critics say the policy will price many Ugandans out of international travel, US authorities maintain that the measure is intended to strengthen visa compliance and reduce overstays.
