Smoking at Uganda Airports (EBB)

English

Yes — you can smoke at Uganda’s one international gateway, Entebbe (EBB): there is a designated outdoor smoking area by the landside Arrivals Hall, open to everyone, and a designated smoking area inside the airside Karibuni Lounge for lounge guests, listed among the facilities when the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority relaunched the upgraded lounge in July 2025. The terminal interior is smoke-free under one of Africa’s stricter tobacco laws, and that same law bans bringing vapes into the country — something every arriving traveller should note.

For international travel through Uganda, Entebbe (EBB) is the airport that matters.

How Ugandan Airport Smoking Works

Uganda’s Tobacco Control Act 2015 is strict:

100% smoke-free indoor public places — the terminal concourses, gates and halls have no public smoking room
A designated outdoor smoking area by the Arrivals Hall (landside), open to everyone
The airside Karibuni Lounge in International Departures keeps a designated smoking area for lounge guests, listed at the UCAA relaunch of the upgraded lounge in July 2025
Smoking outdoors must be at least 50 m from building entrances
E-cigarettes/vapes are banned from import — do not bring one into Uganda

The Hub

Entebbe International Airport (EBB). Uganda’s main gateway on Lake Victoria, with a new passenger terminal opening in phases since early 2026. The terminal interior is smoke-free; the designated outdoor smoking area is at the landside Arrivals Hall, and the airside Karibuni Lounge — near the International Departures boarding gates — offers a designated smoking area to lounge guests. Transit passengers stay airside for the whole layover, so the Karibuni Lounge is effectively their only smoking option; budget for lounge access on a long connection.

Tips for Smokers at Ugandan Airports

Without lounge access, smoke at the outdoor Arrivals Hall area before security — the concourse past the checkpoint is smoke-free
On a layover, the airside Karibuni Lounge’s smoking area is the option — entry via premium cabin, Priority Pass, LoungeKey, or a paid walk-in
Do not bring a vape to Uganda — e-cigarettes are banned from import
Keep at least 50 m from terminal entrances when smoking outdoors

Uganda Airports Compared: Indoor, Outdoor & After Security

Airport	After security	Indoor room	Outdoor area
Entebbe International Airport (EBB)	Yes	–	Yes

Last updated: September 12, 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you smoke at Entebbe Airport (EBB)?

Yes — at the designated outdoor smoking area by the landside Arrivals Hall, and in the airside Karibuni Lounge’s designated smoking area if you have lounge access. The terminal interior is smoke-free under Uganda’s Tobacco Control Act 2015, which also requires outdoor smoking to be at least 50 metres from building entrances.

Are e-cigarettes and vapes legal in Uganda?

Cigarettes are what Uganda allows — smoke them at the designated smoking areas. The Tobacco Control Act 2015 bans the import, sale and distribution of e-cigarettes and vapes, so bringing a vape into the country is illegal; leave yours at home.

Is there smoking after security at Entebbe Airport?

Yes — the Karibuni Lounge in International Departures keeps a designated smoking area for lounge guests (premium cabin, Priority Pass, LoungeKey, or a paid walk-in). The concourse and gates outside the lounge are smoke-free, so passengers without lounge access should smoke at the landside Arrivals Hall area before clearing security.

Where can I smoke at Entebbe Airport?

At the designated outdoor smoking area by the Arrivals Hall, landside — open to everyone — or inside the airside Karibuni Lounge with lounge access. The terminal has no public indoor smoking room.

How strict is Uganda on airport smoking?

Very — the Tobacco Control Act 2015 imposes 100% smoke-free indoor public places, a 50-metre buffer from entrances, and a comprehensive e-cigarette import ban. Smoke only at the designated outdoor area or the lounge smoking area.