Uganda urges citizens to stay safe in the UAE

Iranian strikes on Gulf states forced Uganda's embassy in Abu Dhabi into full crisis mode, with over 160,000 nationals now living in the crosshairs.

Embassy goes on high alert

• Uganda's Abu Dhabi embassy urged citizens to stick to secure locations.
• Ambassador Zaake W. Kibedi made safety the mission's top priority.
• Emergency lines are staying open for urgent assistance around the clock.
• Staff are coordinating directly with the UAE authorities on developments.

Diaspora exposure is massive

• Ugandans in the UAE quadrupled from 40,000 in 2018 to over 160,000 by 2024.
• Most work in domestic roles, hospitality, aviation, construction, and retail.
• Dubai and Abu Dhabi hold the biggest concentrations of that community.
• The rapid growth makes this security crisis personally felt back in Kampala.

Deep economic ties at stake

• UAE investment in Uganda ballooned from $300 million in 2018 to $3.5 billion by 2024.
• Bilateral trade hit $2.85 billion as of September 2025.
• Gold exports and petroleum products drive most of that volume.
• The UAE ranks as Uganda's top export destination globally.

Aviation routes thrown off

• Uganda Airlines temporarily pulled its Dubai route over safety concerns.
• Emirates and other regional carriers reshuffled their schedules.
• Gulf-wide airspace restrictions disrupted East Africa connectivity.
• Kibedi called for calm and cooperation while logistics get sorted.