Uganda has launched a new National Tourism Policy aimed at boosting earnings from the sector to USD 4 billion (about Shs14.5 trillion) over the next five years and increasing annual tourist arrivals to 2.4 million.
The policy, launched by the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, seeks to address longstanding gaps that have slowed the sector’s growth.
Tourism Minister, Tom Butime described the policy as a turning point, saying, “Uganda can and will become one of Africa’s top five destinations, with tourism contributing at least USD 4 billion, more jobs for our people, and a stronger, more resilient economy.”
Butime stressed the need to translate potential into results, adding, “Potential is not progress. We must convert our resources into tangible products, investments, experiences, and earnings.”
The policy identifies gaps in marketing, safety, service standards, skills development, investment frameworks, and product diversification as obstacles to competitiveness. It also highlights high investment costs, multiple taxation, weak infrastructure at key sites, and inconsistent enforcement of international service standards as key challenges.
Permanent Secretary Doreen Katusiime framed the policy as a national development tool beyond tourism, saying, “We are launching not just a document, but a decisive blueprint for national transformation.”
The policy lays out an implementation framework requiring close coordination between agencies responsible for infrastructure, security, immigration, environment, culture, water, transport, heritage, and investment. It establishes a Tourism Coordination Committee, strengthens monitoring and evaluation, and improves the management of tourism statistics.
The Uganda Tourism Board is tasked with intensifying destination marketing, expanding outreach to source markets, strengthening the country’s brand identity, and working with missions abroad to counter negative travel advisories.
Yewagnesh ‘Yogi’ Birigwa, chairperson of the Uganda Tourism Association, welcomed the new direction, saying, “If the government provides leadership, if the private sector delivers professionalism, and if communities embrace conservation and hospitality, Uganda’s tourism sector will rise to levels we have only imagined.”
The policy targets skills development, calling for stronger links between training institutions and industry needs, better quality assurance, and support for the Uganda Hotel and Tourism Training Institute and the Uganda Wildlife Research and Training College.
Data shows tourism’s economic significance. In 2024, the sector contributed 5.7% of GDP, supported over 803,000 jobs, and accounted for 16% of exports. Domestic tourism expenditure stood at Shs5.09 billion, driven by transport and food services.
The policy sets targets to increase tourist spending, length of stay, tax contributions, and domestic tourism expenditure by 2030.