Ugandan Passport Ranks 71st in Global Index as Singapore Retains Top Spot Uganda allows access to 66 destinations as Asia and Europe dominate global passport power.

Uganda’s passport has been ranked 71st globally, granting its holders access to 66 visa-free, visa-on-arrival or Electronic Travel Authorisation destinations, according to the Henley Passport Index 2026 Global Ranking released in January 2026.

The index, compiled by global citizenship advisory firm Henley & Partners, evaluates 199 passports worldwide based on the number of destinations their holders can access without obtaining a prior visa. 

It is widely regarded as the most authoritative measure of global travel freedom and a key indicator of a country’s diplomatic reach and international standing.

In the latest rankings, Uganda shares the 71st position with Armenia, with both passports offering access to 66 destinations. 

While the ranking signals a level of stability in Uganda’s global mobility, it also reflects the continued barriers faced by Ugandan travellers seeking entry into major economic and financial hubs without advance visa requirements.

A regional comparison shows Uganda positioned in the middle tier among its neighbors in East Africa and the Great Lakes region. Kenya remains the strongest performer in the sub-region, ranked 68th globally with access to 69 destinations. 

Tanzania follows at 69th with 68 destinations, while Rwanda is ranked 70th, granting its passport holders access to 67 destinations. 

Uganda ranks ahead of Burundi, which stands at 86th with access to 49 destinations, the Democratic Republic of Congo at 90th with 43 destinations, and South Sudan at 91st with 41 destinations.

The regional disparities highlight uneven progress in diplomatic engagement and reciprocal visa arrangements, even as African states continue to push for greater mobility through continental initiatives aimed at supporting trade, investment and labour movement.

At the global level, Asian and European countries continue to dominate the upper tiers of passport power. Singapore retains its position as the world’s most powerful passport, with its citizens enjoying visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 192 destinations. 

Japan follows closely with access to 188 destinations, reflecting its strong diplomatic ties and longstanding international agreements.

Several European countries occupy the next tier of the rankings, with Denmark, Luxembourg, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland jointly ranked third, each providing access to 186 destinations. Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands and Norway follow closely behind, jointly ranked fourth with access to 185 destinations. 

This concentration of European passports near the top underscores the depth of regional cooperation and the strength of the Schengen travel framework.

Hungary, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia and the United Arab Emirates share the fifth position globally, each offering access to 184 destinations, highlighting the growing global mobility of Gulf states alongside traditional European leaders. 

Croatia, Czechia, Estonia, Malta, New Zealand and Poland are jointly ranked sixth with access to 183 destinations, while Australia, Latvia, Liechtenstein and the United Kingdom occupy seventh place with 182 destinations.

Canada, Iceland and Lithuania are ranked eighth globally with access to 181 destinations, followed by Malaysia in ninth place with 180 destinations.

The United States completes the top ten, ranking tenth with access to 179 destinations, reflecting a gradual decline from its historic dominance but continued strength in global mobility.

The Henley Passport Index is underpinned by exclusive data provided by the International Air Transport Authority, which forms the primary source of information used in compiling the rankings. 

To ensure accuracy amid constant changes in global visa policies, Henley & Partners’ research team cross-checks each of the 199 passports in its database against all 227 possible travel destinations. 

This process relies on reliable publicly available sources, including government portals and major international news outlets. 

The research is conducted on an ongoing basis throughout the year and is supported by a rigorous monitoring system designed to capture and reflect relevant visa-policy shifts as they occur.

Henley & Partners notes that passport rankings remain dynamic and are shaped by evolving diplomatic relations, security considerations and migration policies. 

For Uganda, sustained improvement in passport strength is likely to depend on deeper bilateral engagements, enhanced regional integration and continued participation in global mobility frameworks.

As global travel becomes increasingly intertwined with trade, investment and talent mobility, Uganda’s 71st position underscores both the progress made and the significant opportunities that remain to expand international access for its citizens and business community.