Africa
Uganda
UCAA — Unmanned Aircraft Systems Regulations 2022
Uganda classifies drones into three risk categories (A, B, C) under UCAA's UAS Regulations 2022. Category B, typical for recreational drones up to 5 kg, has a 400-foot altitude ceiling; Category A (very small drones) is limited to just 30 feet.
400 feet (122 m) for Category B (standard, drones up to 5 kg — the most relevant for recreational/tourist use). Category A (basic) is limited to just 30 feet (10 m), within 200 m of the control station, daytime only (6am-6pm), max speed 20 km/h. Category C (complex) allows beyond-visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS) flight but requires a UAS Operator Certificate.
Importing/operating requires a clearance process with a fee of UShs 250,000 + 18% VAT, paid at UCAA's Entebbe offices, with a security check involving the Chief of Defence Forces' Tripartite Committee.
No separate certificate for Categories A and B; Category C instead requires a UAS Operator Certificate.
Mandatory third-party liability insurance for Categories B and C; the certificate must be carried during flight.
Zones to avoid
No-fly zones usually follow the same recurring categories (airports, military sites, protected areas, historic centers). For this country: Minimum distance of 50 m from people/buildings/vehicles/public roads (Categories A and B). Forbidden within 4 km of an airport without authorization.
What isn't 100% confirmed yet
Data verified against the full text of the Civil Aviation (Unmanned Aircraft Systems) Regulations, 2022 (68 pages) and the UCAA-AC-UAS001 Advisory Circular on the clearance procedure, both published by UCAA.
Last checked: 2026-08
Go deeper
Why registration exists
Operator registration exists for accountability: if a drone causes an incident or enters a restricted zone, the authority needs to be able to trace it back to whoever was flying it. You usually get an identification number (operator ID) to physically attach to the drone, valid for every drone the same person owns. The cost is often minimal or free, and it applies to visiting tourists too, not just residents. For Uganda, the official reference remains UCAA — Uganda Civil Aviation Authority. Importing/operating requires a clearance process with a fee of UShs 250,000 + 18% VAT, paid at UCAA's Entebbe offices, with a security check involving the Chief of Defence Forces' Tripartite Committee.
How this usually works
Here the requirement depends on factors like the drone's weight, distance from people, or use case (recreational vs. commercial). The note above describes the most common case: if your situation is different, check the official source to see exactly which scenario applies to you before flying. The exam and certificate are handled by UCAA — Uganda Civil Aviation Authority. No separate certificate for Categories A and B; Category C instead requires a UAS Operator Certificate.
Informational content, not legal advice. Zones and rules change constantly: always check the country's official website before every flight.