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Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, on Wednesday urged the United States to review its travel advisory for Uganda, saying it was harming the country’s tourism industry despite what he described as a peaceful security environment.
Kainerugaba made the remarks during talks in Fort Portal with the new U.S. Chargé d’Affaires, Mikael “Mika” Cleverley, in the envoy’s first official meeting with Uganda’s military leadership since assuming office last month.
“We appreciate the United States for its long-standing partnership with Uganda, particularly in military training, counter-terrorism, health and regional security,” Kainerugaba said, according to a statement issued by the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF).
He added that U.S. programmes had delivered “tangible benefits” to Ugandans in education, agriculture and infrastructure.
The Ugandan military chief also called on Washington to reconsider its travel advisory, saying it was discouraging visitors to a country that remains stable.
“The continued travel advisories issued by the U.S. government negatively affect Uganda’s tourism sector, which is a key pillar of the national economy and a significant source of livelihood for many Ugandans,” Kainerugaba said, reiterating Uganda’s commitment to ensuring the safety and security of all visitors.
The U.S. Department of State renewed its travel advisory for Uganda on June 4 without changing its overall assessment, maintaining a Level 4: Do Not travel advisory.
It cited concerns over crime, health risks, terrorism and civil unrest, while noting that the U.S. government’s ability to provide emergency consular services had been affected by the Ebola outbreak.
The advisory also referenced the World Health Organization’s declaration of the Ebola outbreak in Uganda and the neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.
Ugandan authorities have consistently maintained that the country is peaceful and that security agencies have strengthened measures to protect citizens and visitors.
Tourism remains one of Uganda’s leading foreign exchange earners, with officials arguing that broad travel advisories undermine the sector despite sustained efforts to improve security and contain public health risks.
For his part, Cleverley thanked Kainerugaba for the meeting and reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to strengthening bilateral ties.
“The United States remains committed to strengthening and deepening the bilateral relationship between our two countries,” he said, adding that he hoped to build on the existing foundation of cooperation.
The United States is one of Uganda’s largest development and security partners, supporting military training, counter-terrorism operations, public health programmes and regional peace initiatives.
The meeting was attended by Commander Land Forces Lt. Gen. Kayanja Muhanga, Chief of Defence Intelligence and Security Maj. Gen. Richard Otto, and journalist Andrew Mwenda.
, https://eastafricanwatch.net/gen-muhoozi-asks-u-s-to-change-its-travel-advisory-for-uganda/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=gen-muhoozi-asks-u-s-to-change-its-travel-advisory-for-uganda
