Uganda Relocation Index

How Uganda scores

Some legal and institutional frameworks support entry and rights (notably for recognized refugees).

• Peace and conflict safety31
• Immigrant safety41
• Visa accessibility56
• Residence permit realism50
• Labor market access47
• Healthcare44
• Civil rights58
• Discrimination safety51
• Status security46
• Infrastructure reliability42
• Cost of living sustainability54

Recent news impact

In the recent news cycle there are no clearly enacted, high-consequence changes that sharply improve or worsen Uganda’s short-term relocation outlook for immigrants/refugees. However, two recent items suggest modest, localized constraints: (1) continued border-market/gathering restrictions attributed to Ebola risk in the region (even with Uganda reported Ebola-free), which can indirectly affect cross-border movement and day-to-day access in border communities; and (2) ongoing implementation/regulatory effect of the Protection of Sovereignty Act, which can increase compliance and social-climate uncertainty for foreign-linked activities. These signals do not rise to a strong net directional change across the whole country in the short term, so the index remains neutral.

• Border Restriction

  Ugandan authorities (via Parliament) report continued restrictions on border markets/gatherings due to Ebola risk in neighboring DRC, despite Uganda being declared Ebola-free—likely creating localized friction for movement and services in border areas.

• Democratic Backsliding

  The Protection of Sovereignty Act, 2026 (assented into law and published as an official text) can increase regulatory and compliance uncertainty for foreign-linked civic/political activity. While this is not solely an immigration law, it can affect NGOs, public-facing organizations, and the broader environment for foreign residents.

Sources

• Uganda | UNHCR (Where we work / Country page)UNHCR
• UNHCR Data portal: Uganda National Conflict Mapping Dashboard (January 2026) – download documentUNHCR
• UNHCR Data portal: Part 1: Current Situation (Uganda refugee response context; includes inclusion and freedom of movement/right to work references)UNHCR
• Uganda Citizenship and Immigration Control Act – ULII (2015 consolidated / legal text page)ULII
• Uganda | World Bank Human Capital economy page (health expenditure and related structural indicators)World Bank Human Capital
• Uganda Jobs Strategy: Creating More Jobs for Uganda’s Youth and Economic Transformation (World Bank; job quality and informality constraints)World Bank
• World Bank: The Worldwide Governance Indicators (WGI) – indicator documentation page (Rule of law, political stability, etc.)World Bank
• Uganda | NCIC (Immigration website): Visas and Passes service pageDirectorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control (Uganda)