A new visa scheme linking Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda has been announced
The decision to issue a multinational visa was reached at a summit held in Kigali, Rwanda in October in a move designed to boost East African tourism. The new visa is set to make things easier for travellers to the region, who currently have to arrange separate visas for each country. At around £60 ($100), the new combination visa will also prove less costly.
Hon Dr Maria Mutagamba, the Ugandan Minister for Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities commented: "We are proud to invite our future tourists to experience a more accessible eastern Africa region. Visitors to our region will benefit from the new, more convenient multi-nation visa and will see the improvements in security, immigration systems, infrastructure and capacity building that this system brings."
Dr Mutagamba's words were echoed by Valentine Rugwabiza, CEO and Ambassador of the Rwanda Development Board who hopes that the move will, "promote the dramatic and varied landscapes, species and experiences that our nations offer... from Kenya’s lions and Rwanda’s Gorillas to Uganda’s waterfalls."
The multinational visa will be launched on 1st of January 2014.