Share this article

The High Commission of Uganda, Uganda Airlines, and South African entities collaborate to boost tourism. The joint event fosters partnerships, with a focus on promoting Uganda’s tourism potential. The High Commission pledges support, including visa waiver efforts.

The High Commission of Uganda in Pretoria, South Africa, hosted a joint event in collaboration with Uganda Airlines on December 7, bringing together the leadership of the Gauteng Tourism Board and various tour and travel companies in Gauteng Province. The event aimed to foster stronger partnerships and promote Uganda’s tourism potential.

The High Commissioner, Ambassador Paul Amoru, conveyed his appreciation for the close collaboration between the agencies and the High Commission in promoting Uganda as an appealing travel destination. He applauded their efforts to make travel to and from Uganda easier and stressed the crucial role they play as intermediaries for foreigners and Ugandans traveling to Southern Africa for a range of purposes, such as trade, business, investment, education, family vacations, and tourism.

The High Commissioner also promised continued support from the High Commission, including cooperation with the South African Department of Home Affairs and the Ugandan Ministry of Internal Affairs to enable ordinary passport holders to obtain visa waivers.

The CEO of Uganda Airlines’ Johannesburg office, Karin Matodes, praised the significant turnout of important figures from a range of South African tour and travel agencies. She pledged to collaborate closely with them to enhance the quality of the services they provide, including interacting with the Ugandan headquarters to resolve passenger requests for wide-body aircraft that can hold more luggage.

The CEO of the Gauteng Tourism Board thanked the High Commission and Uganda Airlines for their assistance in enabling travel and tour companies to do their business. The effectiveness with which the High Commission handled issues pertaining to visas and other issues that affected visitors to Uganda was recognized. The High Commission should look into a variety of options for boosting travel and investment between the two nations, according to the recommendation of the Gauteng Tourism Board.

Representatives from the tour and travel agencies expressed appreciation for the recognition they received from the High Commission and Uganda Airlines, including certificates of recognition. They reiterated their commitment to continue working with Uganda Airlines and the High Commission to promote Uganda as a destination. Additionally, they made an appeal to both governments to expedite the implementation of the visa waiver, which would greatly facilitate and increase travel between the two countries. The participants also raised concerns about Uganda Airlines’ unreliable schedules and cargo capacity limitations, which have led some passengers to opt for competitor airlines.

In response, Uganda Airlines assured the participants that their concerns would be addressed. They pledged to improve communication of schedules and to work with the Uganda Airlines Board to deploy wide body planes for the Johannesburg route. Uganda Airlines also expressed the possibility of expanding flights to other provinces and regions, such as Cape Town, and discussed plans to enhance their cargo capacity.

The occasion brought to light Uganda’s tourism, travel, and hospitality industries’ enormous potential to generate significant amounts of foreign exchange for the nation. With the assistance of Gauteng Province, Uganda Airlines, and tour and travel agencies, the High Commission hopes to expand its partnerships and draw more visitors to Uganda in order to take full advantage of these opportunities. In order to maintain competitiveness in the area, it is imperative that the concerns raised are addressed.

Uganda’s tourism industry is expected to grow as a result of the High Commission’s unwavering commitment, the concerted efforts of the Gauteng Tourism Board, tour and travel agencies, and Uganda Airlines, as well as Uganda’s continued promotion as a top travel destination.