Uganda’s hospitality and tourism sector is steadily evolving, with clearer operational standards, increasing domestic travel, and renewed emphasis on regional tourism development, according to hospitality and conservation expert Jimmy Opigo.
Speaking on Next Big Talk, hosted by Canary Mugume on Next Radio on Thursday, Opigo said the industry has made measurable progress over the years, particularly in setting operational standards and improving service delivery.
“Uganda’s hospitality industry is making significant progress, and the standards have been well defined,” he said.
Opigo explained that tourism growth is driven by three pillars: accessibility, attractions, and activities. These elements are central to ongoing initiatives aimed at developing West Nile as a competitive tourism destination.
“What drives tourists can be summarized by accessibility, attractions, and activities. We are working to develop a holistic package for West Nile,” he said.
He noted a growing trend in domestic tourism, with Ugandans increasingly travelling for leisure, social bonding, and education.
“Ugandans have learned to travel. Trips with friends, families, and buddies are growing significantly. School tours are also increasing,” he said.
However, Opigo warned that sustaining the sector’s growth will require improvements in infrastructure and public awareness, especially in emerging tourism regions.
“We need to improve infrastructure and awareness to ensure tourism continues to grow,” he said.
Regarding government support, Opigo acknowledged existing mechanisms but described them as limited and difficult to access.
He highlighted the Uganda Development Bank (UDB) as a key provider of financial support for hospitality businesses, noting that regulatory barriers often make obtaining loans challenging.
“Government support in the hospitality industry is not sufficient, but it is present. The Uganda Development Bank provides loans to support business initiatives; however, access to these loans is highly regulated and often difficult,” he said.
Despite these challenges, Opigo expressed optimism for the sector, citing increasing domestic tourism demand and growing stakeholder interest in regional tourism development as positive indicators for the future of Uganda’s hospitality industry.
