Ugandans can now apply online for South Africa travel authorisation

What the report says

Ugandan passport holders planning short trips to South Africa can now apply online for an Electronic Travel Authorisation, or eTA, before they travel, according to a notice from the South African High Commission in Kampala reported by Nile Post. The diplomatic note was sent to Uganda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on September 29, 2026, and says the change applies to eligible ordinary visits such as tourism, holidays and short-term business travel.

The High Commission said Ugandan nationals with valid passports may submit eTA applications through South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs online system. It also asked Uganda’s foreign ministry to share the update with government agencies, airlines and other stakeholders, as well as the public. Nile Post reported that the online option is meant to make preparation for short trips easier and less time-consuming than the older visa process.

The article notes that the eTA does not guarantee entry on arrival. Travellers will still need to meet South Africa’s immigration and entry requirements at the border. As background, electronic travel systems are increasingly being used by countries to streamline pre-travel checks while retaining final entry control at arrival. For Ugandan travellers, the change could reduce the need for repeated trips to Kampala and lower some of the costs linked to visa applications.