Taiwan warns citizens against travel to Uganda after officials seize passports, demand Chinese documents, escalating diplomatic tensions over Beijing’s policy.
- Taiwan warned its citizens to reconsider travel to Uganda after incidents involving passport seizures by Ugandan immigration officials.
- Uganda demanded Taiwanese travellers present Chinese passports, citing its adherence to the ‘one-China policy’ that recognises Beijing’s claim over Taiwan.
- Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted two recent cases in Uganda, including one resulting in deportation, and is seeking clarification from Ugandan authorities.
- The incidents are part of a broader trend of increasing diplomatic pressure on Taiwan in Africa, as China pushes countries to limit official or unofficial ties with Taipei.
Taiwan has warned its citizens to reconsider travelling to Uganda after several Taiwanese travellers faced problems with immigration officials, including having their passports seized and being asked to produce Chinese passports.
The latest incident occurred on August 12, when three Taiwanese business travellers and their family members arrived at Entebbe International Airport near Kampala. According to Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ugandan immigration officials seized their Taiwanese passports and demanded that they present Chinese passports instead.
The documents were eventually returned, and the travellers were allowed into Uganda. However, Taiwan said the incident was the second recent case involving its citizens. In the earlier case, two Taiwanese travellers encountered similar problems, with one eventually deported from the country.
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Uganda cites its “one-China” policy.
According to Taiwan’s foreign ministry, Ugandan officials said the passport requirement was linked to the country’s “one-China policy,” which recognises Beijing’s position that Taiwan is part of China.
Taiwan said it has not been informed of any change to Uganda’s entry requirements and is seeking clarification from Ugandan authorities through its representative office in Somaliland, which handles relations with Uganda, according to a report by The Straits Times.
Taipei urged Uganda not to impose politically motivated restrictions that could disrupt normal travel, business and other exchanges.
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Growing pressure on Taiwan in Africa
The dispute comes as Taiwan faces increasing diplomatic pressure across Africa, where China has sought to limit Taipei’s international presence.
Taiwan suspended visa processing for Moroccan nationals in late July after Morocco introduced similar restrictions. In June, Kenya barred Taiwanese delegates from a global maritime conference and detained a Taiwanese academic for about 20 hours.
Africa has become an important part of Beijing’s efforts to isolate Taiwan internationally. Earlier this year, China praised three African countries for denying overflight rights to Taiwan President Lai Ching-te’s aircraft as he attempted to travel to Eswatini, Taiwan’s last remaining diplomatic partner on the continent.
