More than half of intra-African travel still requires visas before departure – slowing intra-continental trade Addis Ababa, Ethiopia | THE INDEPENDENT | African policymakers, business leaders, and development institutions have renewed calls for visa-free travel across the continent, describing the free movement of people as essential to unlocking Africa’s economic transformation …
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The US$15,000 visa bond places travellers under sharper scrutiny as Washington tightens enforcement COVER STORY | RONALD MUSOKE | When U.S. Ambassador William W. Popp stepped-up to address the press at the American Centre in Kampala on Feb. 5, he was carrying a message that blended diplomacy with warning. The United …
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Fresh ideas to get movement flowing ANALYSIS | ALAN HIRSCH & VICTOR AMADI | It remains too difficult for Africans to travel between African countries. Africa-wide reforms have failed. The keynote continental agreement, the African Union’s Protocol on Free Movement of Persons, adopted in 2018, still has only four country ratifications …
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Uganda Shines Bright at Toronto’s World Travel, Trade, and Taste Expo, Captivating Millions on Opening Day Toronto, Canada | THE INDEPENDENT | The “Explore Uganda” exhibition at the ongoing World Travel, Trade, and Taste Expo 2025 at the Toronto Metro Convention Centre has attracted hundreds of eager travel operators and tourists, eager …
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Stronger air travel demand in Africa will drive a massive surge in aircraft orders, with Boeing forecasting that 82% of new purchases will be for expansion, not replacement. SPECIAL REPORT | BIRD AGENCY | Africa’s aviation industry is set for takeoff, with rising demand for travel on the continent pushing …
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NAIROBI | Xinhua | Kenya Airways, the country’s flag carrier, said on Friday that the consolidation of airlines on the continent will help reduce the cost of intra-African air travel. Allan Kilavuka, chief executive officer of Kenya Airways, said in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi that travel within Africa …
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SPECIAL FEATURE | Security related issues are some of the things that are very hard to discuss without being impartial. Our perceptions are often informed by the negative news stories that make most of the headlines around the world. For a country like Uganda, it is hard for foreigners to consider …
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African countries are simplifying entry processes and dropping restrictions to improve cross-border travel at inter-country and regional levels. SPECIAL REPORT | BIRD AGENCY | In the past eight years, 35 countries have improved their visa policies and, since 2016, five countries have abolished all visa requirements for African travellers. As …
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New move leaves army generals, Parliamentarians guessing Kampala, Uganda | IAN KATUSIIME | America’s visa ping pong with Uganda goes on. Once again, the U.S. has issued visa bans on top Ugandan officials to continue a trend that has played out for four years. U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken made …
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Why Kenya and Rwanda have taken a step in the right direction ANALYSIS | MICHAEL MUTAVA | President William Ruto of Kenya recently announced that Kenya’s borders would be open to visitors from the entirety of Africa, with no visas required, by the end of 2023. He said: “When people cannot travel, …
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The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
