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Uganda has allocated Shs 286 billion to boost its tourism sector, focusing on enhancing infrastructure and diversifying attractions beyond gorilla trekking. Finance Minister Matia Kasaija outlined plans to upgrade facilities, improve safety for mountain hiking, and conserve wildlife areas.

Uganda has allocated a staggering Shs 286bn for the development of the tourism sector, with increased focus on Rwenzori Mountain hiking. 

Finance Minister Matia Kasaija said Uganda has increasingly regained her global position among the top ten best tourism destinations in global tourism rankings. 

In the year 2023, international tourist arrivals increased by 56 percent to 1.274 million tourists compared to 814,085 arrivals in 2022 and the peak of 1.52 million in 2019. 

The international tourism receipts reached USD 1.03 billion in 2023.

“Madam Speaker, tourism has a high return on investment. In FY  2024/25, I have provided Shs 289.6 billion to the tourism development programmed to support international and domestic tourism marketing and promotion activities and modernize our tourism products to make them more competitive,” said Kasaija while reading the national budget on Thursday afternoon. 

“These include completion of the pier and related infrastructure at the Source of the Nile; upgrading the Uganda Museum; construction of 8,000 meters of climbing ladders and boardwalks on the Rwenzori Mountains to make hiking safer; continue with the grading, supervision and classification of tourism facilities to enhance the quality of services and ensure adherence to the required global standards; and complete the upgrade of the Uganda Hotel and Tourism Training Institute infrastructure in an effort to make it an International Centre of Excellence for training and skills development in tourism and hospitality,” he added.

Uganda is one of the most biodiverse countries on the planet with millennia of history and thriving cultural traditions. 

But it remains an underrated tourist destination. 

Potential 

World Bank recently said from the royal trails across the kingdoms – Buganda, Tooro, Bunyoro-Kitara, and Busoga – to the UNESCO World Heritage site of the Kasubi Tombs, the art galleries in Kampala, and the Nyege Nyege music festival near Itanda Falls on the Nile, there is a world of activities that offer unique and memorable experiences. 

“Developing these products and others could broaden Uganda’s appeal beyond gorilla trekking in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, which is currently the most popular attraction,” said World Bank in a report released in 2023, adding, “Broadening the menu of tourism attractions and experiences in Uganda is critical to bringing in more tourists and increasing the potential earnings for Ugandan businesses and the private sector.” 

Kasaija said the funds will also enhance the conservation of Uganda’s 22 Wildlife Protected Areas with a focus on the mitigation of human wildlife conflicts. 

Government also is going to construct an additional 150 kms of electric fence and maintain the existing 106-km fence; carry out boundary surveillance through more than 13,904 patrols; uproot invasive species and construct four water dams in protected areas.

Kasaija said apart from injecting Shs 287.6 billion directly to the tourism sector, an additional Shs 1.629 trillion has been provided for several critical interventions associated with tourism including support to Uganda Wildlife Authority, construction of tourism roads, road rehabilitation and upgrade under Kampala Capital City Authority, support to AFCON ‘27 and completion of key stadia, strengthening security, law and order in our tourism destinations, and extension of the internet to tourism destinations, among others.

“In particular, I have provided an additional Shs 55 billion to Uganda’s Missions Abroad to support the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) to market Uganda to potential tourists, market our exports and attract more investors,” he added.