Visa Misuse by a Few Ugandans Tightens U.S. Scrutiny, Embassy Warns

The United States Embassy in Kampala has raised concern over what it describes as misuse of U.S. visas by a small number of Ugandans — a trend officials say is complicating the application process for legitimate travelers.

Tania J. Romanoff, the Consular Section Chief at the U.S. Embassy, said while the number of offenders is not large, their actions have wider consequences.

“It is true that Ugandans are misusing visas — not very many by the way. Those few are the ones that are making it harder for other Ugandans to secure visas,” Romanoff said.

According to her, inaccuracies and deliberate misrepresentation in visa applications are a primary concern. She emphasized the importance of applicants being truthful in the information they submit and cautious about declarations made during interviews.

Individuals who intentionally provide false information risk immediate visa denial and may face permanent ineligibility to travel to the United States. Romanoff added that such cases could also attract criminal prosecution either in Uganda or in the U.S.

Even after a visa is issued, misuse carries serious consequences. Travelers who enter the United States for one stated purpose but engage in another activity — or who fail to depart when required — may face deportation and long-term travel bans.

Romanoff linked visa compliance directly to national security concerns, referencing U.S. policy priorities.

“When we have gaps — individuals who enter the country for one purpose but then do something else or just do not depart when they say they're going to depart — that's obviously a security concern,” she said.

Under current regulations, many non-immigrant visa holders have three months from the date of issuance to travel to the United States and may only use that visa for a single entry. However, the length of stay is determined by a U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer at the port of entry.

For tourists and business travelers, authorized stays may range from one to six months. Failure to comply with these conditions, officials warn, undermines trust in the system and can affect broader bilateral mobility.

Romanoff stressed that adherence to visa terms protects both individual travelers and the broader reputation of Ugandan applicants.