The governments of Uganda and Mozambique have taken a significant step towards facilitating mobility between the two countries by lifting visa requirements for their citizens. The announcement was made last Thursday (19), following the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the two nations, which now allows travellers from both states to cross borders without the need for a visa.
According to a Club of Mozambique publication, this measure positions Mozambique among other countries that already have similar agreements with Uganda, such as Angola, Kenya, Botswana, Ireland, South Sudan, Malawi, Malaysia and Comoros. In these cases, citizens are exempt from the 50 dollar visa fee, encouraging the free flow of people between the countries.
Speaking about the importance of the measure, the Ugandan ambassador to Mozambique, Fred Mwesigye, emphasised the direct relationship between the movement of people and trade.
‘Trade has everything to do with the movement of goods and people. If we restrict the movement of people, the goods will not reach their destination. Therefore, removing the visa requirement is a stimulus. This measure will also ensure the transfer of specialised knowledge between the two countries and this will stimulate economic transformation,’ he explained.
The official also emphasised that the visa exemption between Mozambique and Uganda will serve as a boost not only for trade, but also for the exchange of knowledge and technical training between the two countries, essential factors for the development of both nations.
In conclusion, Mwesigye made it known that this decision is in line with continental efforts to promote regional integration. According to him, the measure supports frameworks such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the African Union’s Agenda 2063, which aim to facilitate mobility within the African continent. ‘The visa waiver aligns with broader efforts across Africa to increase regional integration,’ he emphasised.
