Uganda and Mauritius are strengthening bilateral cooperation in trade, tourism and education as both countries seek to expand intra-African partnerships and investment opportunities.
The Honorary Consul of Mauritius to Uganda, Mr Amos Nzeyi, said Mauritius has become an increasingly important trade partner, particularly in the textile industry, which relies heavily on Ugandan cotton.
“I’m very happy that Mauritius is buying our cotton. The textiles I mentioned are actually produced from Ugandan cotton, and our exports to Mauritius are growing,” Nzeyi said.
He noted that discussions are underway to boost two-way tourism by linking Uganda’s wildlife attractions with Mauritius’s beach destinations.
“If we can get Ugandans going there and bring Mauritian tourists here to see animals after they enjoy the beaches, that will be very good. It’s something that can be developed very quickly,” he added.
Nzeyi also urged Ugandan investors to explore Mauritius’s advanced financial and manufacturing sectors, describing the island nation as a peaceful and tax-friendly business environment.
“Mauritius is very peaceful and crime-free. You can invest your money there safely it’s almost tax-free,” he said.
On education, Nzeyi revealed that the Mauritian government offers 25 to 30 fully funded scholarships annually to Ugandan students pursuing undergraduate and postgraduate studies.
“They are 100% scholarships accommodation, meals and medical care are all provided. Students only need to buy their air tickets,” he said.
He further praised Mauritius’s world-class infrastructure, efficient financial systems and hospitality industry, saying Uganda could learn from its tourism and service excellence. Nzeyi reminded Ugandans that they do not require visas to visit Mauritius, as both countries are members of the Commonwealth.
“Mauritius is a very welcoming country, and Ugandans don’t need visas to travel there,” he said.
The Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) Chairperson, Ms Pearl Kakooza, said the partnership marks the beginning of a new relationship aimed at increasing travel between the two nations.
“This is not just about visitors coming to each other’s countries it’s the start of a relationship,” Kakooza said. “Two weeks ago, UTB held meetings with the Mauritius Tourism Authority, and this engagement builds on that foundation.”
She noted that Uganda aims to attract luxury tourists from Mauritius while promoting its own wildlife and cultural heritage.
“Mauritius attracts high-end tourists, and Uganda also wants to tap into that segment. Our premier products gorillas, chimpanzees and cultural tourism offer unique experiences that complement beach holidays,” Kakooza said.
Kakooza added that the partnership could see Ugandan destinations promoted through major hotel brands such as Marriott, which operates several properties in Mauritius, as part of a co-marketing initiative.
She said improved air connectivity between Entebbe and Mauritius, via Nairobi, would further facilitate joint travel packages combining both destinations. Uganda, she added, is also keen to learn from Mauritius’s sustainability practices and advanced service standards.
“What Uganda can learn from Mauritius is sustainability they are at a very advanced stage, and we can adapt some of those models,” Kakooza said.
Ms Jennifer Steel, Director of Sales for Marriott Properties in Mauritius, encouraged Ugandans to explore the island as a safe, visa-free destination rich in culture, adventure and luxury experiences.
“We came to introduce our properties to Ugandans and invite them to visit Mauritius,” Steel said. “It’s a perfect destination for families safe, visa-free and full of experiences ranging from beaches and hiking to skydiving and parasailing.”
She described Mauritius as a multicultural destination with a blend of African, European and Asian influences, offering diverse festivals and cuisine.
“Mauritius is a mix of cultures you can experience Chinese New Year, Italian and Creole festivals, and incredible food influenced by all our communities,” she said.
Steel noted that the Ugandan market for Mauritius is still small but growing, as more Ugandans show interest in leisure and adventure tourism.
The renewed engagement follows recent discussions between Ugandan and Mauritian tourism authorities aimed at boosting intra-African travel, luxury tourism and business partnerships.
“Mauritian people also want to discover Uganda,” Steel said. “There’s a big opportunity for both countries to exchange tourists.”
Mauritius, renowned for its turquoise lagoons and world-class hospitality industry, attracts millions of high-end tourists annually from Europe, North America and francophone Africa. Uganda hopes to tap into this market by featuring its signature attractions including gorilla trekking, chimpanzee tracking and cultural tourism in joint travel packages with Mauritius.