Kampala among 20 African cities selected as U.S. visa processing hubs

Kampala has been designated as one of only 20 U.S. visa processing hubs across Africa, a significant move under the Trump administration's plan to restructure consular operations. This strategic selection positions Uganda as a key regional gateway for individuals seeking entry into the United States, maintaining full visa-processing services despite a broader trend toward consolidation.

The U.S. State Department memo, initially reported by The Associated Press, details a significant reduction in visa processing locations, shrinking from nearly 50 embassies and consulates to just 20 designated "hubs." This centralization aims to streamline operations and enhance immigration controls. The selected hubs include major cities like Nairobi, Kigali, Johannesburg, Lagos, and Addis Ababa, alongside Kampala.

While Kampala's inclusion is noteworthy, diplomatic observers point to a larger pattern of regionalization among Western governments. Cities such as Nairobi have increasingly become diplomatic and consular centers, absorbing regional operations from countries that have scaled back their services. This shift suggests that while Kampala remains a processing center, its long-term strategic importance within this new network is still being assessed.

Several European nations have already moved towards consolidating their consular and migration processing functions into larger regional centers. For instance, Norway closed its embassy in Kampala in July 2024, with diplomatic relations and visa processing now handled through its embassies in Dar es Salaam and Nairobi, respectively. Similarly, Sweden has centralized much of its migration processing in Nairobi, even while maintaining a presence in Kampala for consular assistance. This broader global trend indicates a move towards fewer, larger visa processing centers serving multiple countries, fitting Kampala's new role within this evolving landscape.