Da Dona
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- Dec 16, 2025
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Uganda’s delegation to the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York has reportedly been reduced to just five people after several senior government officials were denied US visas.
Vice President Jessica Alupo, who is representing President Yoweri Museveni at the UN gathering, is leading the delegation. She is accompanied by Health Minister Dr Chris Baryomunsi, Health Ministry Permanent Secretary Dr Diana Atwine, Foreign Affairs Minister Adonia Ayebare and her bodyguard.
The reported visa rejections affected dozens of officials who had been expected to travel to New York. Diplomatic sources told local media that even some Foreign Affairs Ministry officials were unable to obtain visas, with attempts to secure intervention reportedly unsuccessful.
Uganda has previously sent much larger delegations to the annual UN gathering, with officials drawn from different ministries and government agencies. Reports indicate that an initial list of 11 officials was reduced to seven before ultimately settling at five.
Diplomatic sources linked the visa restrictions to US concerns following Uganda’s Ebola outbreak. Although Uganda was declared free of the outbreak in August, reports indicate that US authorities maintained caution over travel by some Ugandan officials.
The US Embassy has not publicly confirmed the reasons behind individual visa decisions, noting that visa records are confidential.
Alupo arrived in New York on September 22 ahead of the UN General Assembly’s high-level week, where she is scheduled to represent Uganda.
Vice President Jessica Alupo, who is representing President Yoweri Museveni at the UN gathering, is leading the delegation. She is accompanied by Health Minister Dr Chris Baryomunsi, Health Ministry Permanent Secretary Dr Diana Atwine, Foreign Affairs Minister Adonia Ayebare and her bodyguard.
The reported visa rejections affected dozens of officials who had been expected to travel to New York. Diplomatic sources told local media that even some Foreign Affairs Ministry officials were unable to obtain visas, with attempts to secure intervention reportedly unsuccessful.
Uganda has previously sent much larger delegations to the annual UN gathering, with officials drawn from different ministries and government agencies. Reports indicate that an initial list of 11 officials was reduced to seven before ultimately settling at five.
Diplomatic sources linked the visa restrictions to US concerns following Uganda’s Ebola outbreak. Although Uganda was declared free of the outbreak in August, reports indicate that US authorities maintained caution over travel by some Ugandan officials.
The US Embassy has not publicly confirmed the reasons behind individual visa decisions, noting that visa records are confidential.
Alupo arrived in New York on September 22 ahead of the UN General Assembly’s high-level week, where she is scheduled to represent Uganda.
