Uganda Pet Import Requirements

Home » Information » Pet Passports » Uganda Pet Import Requirements

What is a Pet Passport?

We refer to a pet passport as a collection of documents according to Uganda pet import requirements for dogs or cats entering the country. This term is not to be confused with an official EU Pet Passport issued in the European Union for resident pets. Your pet’s passport will include proof of microchip, rabies vaccination and international export health certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian in the origination country.

Animals Eligible for These Regulations

Unless otherwise stated, the regulations below apply to domestic dogs and cats including service and assistance dogs and cats. These regulations do not include the import of wolf hybrids, Savannah and Bengal cats, unless 5th generation removed from the pedigree.

Pets in Uganda

Dogs are common pets in Uganda, valued for companionship and security. Cats are also widely kept, primarily for their companionship and their ability to control rodents. Public spaces specifically designed for pets are limited. However, pets often have access to yards and local parks for exercise and socialization.

Uganda has a growing number of veterinary clinics, especially in urban areas like Kampala; however, access to specialized tests and treatments may be a challenge for pet owners planning further travel or returning to their country of origin.

Stray dogs and cats are a significant issue, especially in urban areas. Diseases such as rabies and parasites are concerns for both pets and humans, highlighting the need for better veterinary care and public health initiatives. Pet owners should take all steps to protect their pets against diseases prior to entering the country.

Flying a Pet to Uganda

Several commercial airlines that offer service to pets fly to Entebbe International Airport including Air Tanzania, Brussels Airlines, Egyptair, Emirates, Ethiopian Airlines, flydubai, Kenya Airways, Rwanda Air, Turkish Airlines, and Uganda Airlines.

Flights to Uganda should be direct or transit through a rabies-controlled country or another EU Member State if possible*. *Note: If your pet has a layover in an EU Member State in its itinerary, then additional requirements will apply.

Find a Licensed Veterinarian

Before beginning any pet export procedure, make sure your veterinarian is approved by the governing veterinarian authority in your pet’s country of origin. The agency of the government that is responsible for the movement of live animals should either license or employ your veterinarian.

Quarantine for pets entering Uganda

Quarantine will not be imposed on your pet if the following regulations are met. Pets not meeting import regulations will be quarantined, returned to the origin country or euthanized. All costs are the responsibility of the importer.

All steps required to import a pet dog or cat to Uganda must be completed in the country of origin. Complete steps 1-6 in the order given.

Step 1: Pet Microchip

Having your pet identified with a microchip is important when traveling internationally for several reasons. First, a microchip will tie your pet to its documentation when entering a foreign country and can help avoid issues at customs clearance. Second, if, for any reason, your pet is separated from you during travel, the chances of reuniting with your pet significantly increase if you register your information in a microchip database. Third, most countries require that pets be microchipped and compliant microchips may be difficult to find should your pet ever leave the country.

Although it is not required, your pet should be identified with a 15-digit pet microchip which is compliant with International Standards Organization standard 11784 or Annex A of ISO standard 11785 prior to entering Uganda. All documentation must reflect the microchip number. If your pet’s microchip is not ISO 11784/11785 compliant, importers can provide a microchip scanner that will read their pet’s microchip.

Your veterinarian, a veterinary hospital or trained nurse should implant the microchip. Documentation should be provided as to the manufacturer of the microchip and registration instructions.

Step 2: Vaccinations

All cats and dogs over three months of age must be vaccinated for rabies between 30 days and 11 months prior to entering Uganda. The administering veterinarian should record vaccination information, sign and stamp one of the following documents depending on veterinary practices in the country of origin:

a rabies certificate
a government-issued vaccination booklet or
an EU Pet Passport

Other Vaccinations

Dogs must be vaccinated against distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, parvovirus and parainfluenza. Cats must be vaccinated against feline viral rhinotracheitis, panleukopenia and feline leukemia.

Veterinarians must record vaccinations on the international health certificate (step 5) at intervals required by veterinary health procedures of the origination country.

Step 3: Rabies Titer (Serology) Test

A rabies titer test, also known as a rabies antibody test or rabies serology test, is a blood test that measures the level of rabies antibodies in your pet’s blood. The test will assess the effectiveness of a rabies vaccination or determine your pet’s immune response to the rabies virus. When required, a licensed veterinarian will administer the test more than 30 days after the most current rabies vaccination.

Uganda does not require a rabies titer test for cats and dogs from any country. However, all pets originating in countries classified as having a high risk of rabies should always travel with a rabies titer test. In addition, the World Organization of Animal Health classifies Uganda as a high-rabies risk country. As such, if your pet will be returning to the country of origin, this test may be required.

Note that rabies titer test results or veterinary exemption letters are no substitution for proof of rabies vaccination.

Step 4: Parasite Treatments

According to all preventative measures to ensure public health and the safety of your pet, treatments for internal and external parasites should be administered prior to entering Uganda.

The treatment of pets for internal parasites, especially Echinococcus multilocularis, as well as external parasites (fleas and ticks) should be discussed with your veterinarian who will administer according to disease status of the origination country. These treatments are required.

The administering veterinarian can record these treatments on the health certificate or issue you a record of treatment.

Step 5: Health Certificate

All countries worldwide require an original health certificate (sometimes known as a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection) for live animals entering their country. The certificate should include the following information:

details of your pet and
vaccinations and treatments and
veterinary attestations regarding symptoms of contagious diseases at the time of export.

Further, your veterinarian must certify that your pet is healthy enough to travel and is not from a region that is subject to rabies restrictions. The health certificate must properly identify your pet. Your veterinarian will include additional details and treatments on the certificate depending on the country of origin.

A licensed veterinarian in the origination country must complete the health certificate within 6 days of entry.

A government veterinarian must either issue the certificate or endorse the certificate after issuance by a licensed veterinarian. This official represents the agency in the origination country that is responsible for the import and export of live animals.

Step 6: Import Permit

Pet dogs and cats entering Uganda with their owners do not need an import permit. Commercial imports will require an import permit. The permit is valid for 30 days, although can be extended to three months on a case-by-case basis.

Other Information

Importing Puppies and Kittens to Uganda

Puppies and kittens should not be vaccinated for rabies prior to three months of age. They can enter Uganda accompanied by their mother’s proof of rabies vaccination and/or with their mother when they are under 3 months of age. Once reaching 3 months of age, they must be vaccinated for rabies and wait for 30 days before import according to Uganda pet import requirements.

Related: Transporting a puppy.

Breeds Banned for Import to Uganda

Uganda does not publish a list of banned breeds. Pet owners are always responsible for their pet’s behavior.

Entering Uganda by Air

Pets must enter Uganda by air via Entebbe International Airport. Pets can enter in the cabin, as checked baggage or air cargo according to airline pet policies.

Flights should be direct if the duration of the flight does not violate animal welfare laws. Layovers should be short and not involve a change in airline companies. If your pet’s itinerary involves a layover in the European Union, then additional requirements will apply. Owners should take special care not to expose their pets to other animals if transiting.

Importers will need to provide advance notice to veterinary officials at the airport so they will be available to inspect your pet and its passport documentation upon landing. This is especially important if your pet will be arriving outside of normal business hours.

Whenever your pet travels to a foreign country like Uganda, it is always advisable to carry some form of identification indicating ownership of your pet.

All domestic dogs and cats must be free of evidence of disease communicable to humans when examined at the entry airport.

A government veterinarian will provide further examination if your dog or cat is not in apparent good health when entering Uganda. All costs associated with further inspections or treatments will be borne by the importer.

Importing Other Pet Animals to Uganda

Birds, invertebrates, tropical fish, reptiles, amphibia, mammals such as rodents and rabbits are not subject to requirements of rabies vaccination but may have to meet other requirements and should have a health certificate to enter Uganda. Pet owners are strongly advised to seek further information from the relevant authority of their country and/or that of the country of destination.

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) prohibits the trade of some species of animals, including pets. This is crucial if you have a pet that isn’t a dog or cat, and it’s crucial if it’s a turtle or a parrot. If this is the case, importers will have to submit additional permit applications. The agency that issues these permits is responsible for the protection of wildlife in your country.

Over 180 countries participate in and enforce CITES regulations.

Related: Read more about CITES

Need More Detailed Pet Import Requirements and Forms for Uganda?

Visit PetTravelStore.com for step-by-step detailed instructions on regulations, permits, layovers, costs, tests and pet import regulations for Uganda at minimal cost. Our information is current, verified and tailored to your pet’s itinerary.

Order Now

Here’s what is included in the Uganda pet passport package:

Detailed instructions on importing your dog, cat or ferret to Uganda from any country available in six languages
Required Vaccinations and Intervals
ISO 11784/11785 Compliant Microchip Information
Import Permit Application
Parasite Treatments
Prenotification Contacts
IATA Carrier and Crate Requirements
Layover Considerations & Requirements for Airline Pet Travel
Responsibilities of a Pet Transporter
FREE unlimited email support both for you and your veterinarian, should either of you have any questions

Also included at no additional cost:

Veterinary Health Certificate for Uganda (US/Canada)
Airline Health Certificate

Have Questions About Importing Your Pet to Uganda?

Have a comment about importing a pet to Uganda? Post it below and be published! You can also reach out by posting to our Blog, X (Twitter), Facebook, or Email or follow our activities on Instagram and TikTok.

Please note that the accuracy of comments made below by users other than Pet Travel have not been verified. We do not endorse any person or company that may offer transport services through posts to this webpage.

Current Information

To the best of our ability, we ensure that recommendations given on PetTravel.com reflect the current regulations. We cannot predict how a given country may enforce these regulations. Noncompliance may result in the need to make arrangements to put your pet into quarantine at your expense, return your pet to the country of origin, or euthanize your pet. To avoid these consequences, we suggest that you minimize the disruptions that may occur by following Uganda pet import requirements.