The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has announced that tour operators and their clients will be allowed to reschedule gorilla trekking permits at no additional cost, following growing concerns over the Ebola outbreak in the neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
In a notice dated May 20th, 2026, and signed by Executive Director Dr. James Musinguzi, UWA acknowledged the increasing volume of rescheduling requests it has received from tour operators, attributing them to the Ebola situation in the DRC and the heightened health surveillance measures that have since been put in place across Uganda.
However, UWA has made clear that rescheduling will not be automatic. Tour operators must submit written confirmation from either the overseas agent or the client explicitly stating their inability to travel due to Ebola-related concerns. This communication must accompany the rescheduling request before it can be considered.
Once the request is verified, UWA will approve the rescheduling free of charge, subject to the availability of permits on the alternative dates requested.
The authority has also outlined key conditions governing the rescheduling process. Permits can only be moved to dates that have available slots within the reservation system, and low season permits will strictly be rescheduled to other low season dates only — meaning clients cannot use the Ebola situation as an opportunity to upgrade to peak season trekking dates.
The notice reflects UWA’s effort to strike a balance between supporting Uganda’s tourism industry, which relies heavily on gorilla trekking revenue, and maintaining the integrity of its permit reservation system.
Uganda is home to roughly half of the world’s remaining mountain gorilla population, making gorilla trekking one of the country’s most prized and sought-after tourism experiences. Any disruption to the sector carries significant economic implications for local communities and the broader tourism industry.
UWA has urged all tour operators to adhere to the outlined conditions when submitting rescheduling requests and assured stakeholders of its continued commitment to supporting tourism while managing the current health situation responsibly.
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