ganda’s High Commission in Ottawa has moved to calm growing anxiety among Ugandans living in Canada following temporary travel restrictions introduced by Canadian authorities in response to the Ebola outbreak in Uganda.
In an official statement issued Friday, Uganda’s Charge d’Affaires in Canada, Ambassador Allan Kajik, reassured the Ugandan community that their legal status in Canada remains unaffected despite the measures announced by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
“In recent days, a number of Ugandan nationals residing in Canada have received notifications regarding the temporary suspension of certain visas and travel documents,” the statement reads. “These actions arise from Canada’s precautionary public-health measures in response to the Ebola outbreak currently affecting parts of Uganda and the region.”
The High Commission clarified that no Ugandan already residing in Canada is being asked to leave the country because of the restrictions.
“The Government of Canada has indicated that these temporary suspensions do not affect the legal status of individuals already present in Canada. No Ugandan currently residing in Canada is required to depart as a result of these measures,” Ambassador Kajik said.
According to the statement, the restrictions will remain in place for 90 days and are intended purely as a public-health response to contain cross-border transmission risks linked to Ebola.
Officials emphasized that the measures are temporary, non-punitive, and should not be interpreted as a shift in the longstanding bilateral relations between Uganda and Canada.
The restrictions are expected to impact certain visa holders travelling internationally, particularly those planning to re-enter Canada during the suspension period. Canadian authorities have also paused final decisions on some pending immigration applications from affected regions. The High Commission stressed that such applications have not been refused, but are simply on hold until the temporary measures are lifted.
The mission has advised Ugandans in Canada to avoid non-essential international travel during this period, consult IRCC before any mandatory travel outside Canada, and rely only on verified information to avoid panic and misinformation within the community.
“The High Commission is closely monitoring the situation and remains in communication with relevant Canadian institutions,” the statement noted.
Ambassador Kajik urged Ugandans across Canada to remain calm and united, expressing confidence that the temporary restrictions will be lifted once the public-health situation stabilizes.
“Uganda and Canada continue to enjoy strong bilateral relations, and we are confident that these temporary measures will be lifted once the public-health situation stabilizes,” he said while thanking Ugandans in Canada for their resilience, cooperation and contribution to Canadian society.
The statement comes as Uganda continues efforts to contain Ebola, while several countries review travel protocols as a precautionary measure.
