Uganda is positioning tourism as one of its most strategic growth drivers on the path to building a $500 billion economy by 2040, Finance Minister Henry Musasizi has said.
He unveiled an ambitious expansion plan backed by increased funding, global marketing, and infrastructure development.
Presenting the national budget for FY 2026/27, Musasizi described tourism as “one of Uganda’s most powerful export industries,” saying it generates foreign exchange, creates jobs, supports thousands of enterprises, and showcases the country globally.
“Tourism is one of Uganda’s most powerful export industries. It generates foreign exchange, it creates jobs, it supports thousands of enterprises, and it showcases Uganda to the world,” Musasizi told Parliament on Thursday.
Global push to market Uganda
The minister said Uganda’s international tourism visibility has reached record levels, driven by aggressive branding under the “Explore Uganda, the Pearl of Africa” campaign.
He highlighted recent global accolades, including the “Best in Show – Africa” award at the 2026 New York Travel & Adventure Show and recognition as “Best Exquisite Destination” at the Outbound Travel Mart in Mumbai.
Uganda also strengthened its presence in major global tourism exhibitions across Europe, North America, Asia, and Africa, including platforms such as the World Travel Market in London and the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) fan engagements in Morocco.
“These achievements reflect Uganda’s growing international profile and industry endorsements,” Musasizi said.
The minister said government has also intensified economic outreach through the Economic and Commercial Diplomacy (ECD) Strategy, which assigns Uganda’s diplomatic missions clear targets in tourism promotion, investment attraction, trade expansion, and diaspora mobilisation.
Musasizi said the strategy is already delivering results through increased tourist arrivals, stronger export earnings, and rising foreign direct investment inflows.
“Government will continue to leverage its Missions Abroad to market Uganda as a preferred tourism, conference and investment destination,” he noted.
Major infrastructure push underway
To support growth in the sector, government is investing in tourism infrastructure across the country, including developments at the Rwenzori Central Circuit Trail, Kitagata Hot Springs, and the Source of the Nile in Jinja.
New facilities have also been established, including a wildlife education centre in Mbale, while rehabilitation works have been completed at the Crested Crane Tourism Training Institute, now featuring an observatory deck and modern restaurant.
Projects are also underway in Moroto and Dokolo to strengthen cultural heritage tourism and museum development.
Musasizi announced that Shs 567.32 billion has been allocated to the tourism sector in FY 2026/27 to accelerate development and competitiveness.
Key priorities will include branding and marketing Uganda as a global destination, expanding tourism infrastructure, improving hospitality standards, building sanitation facilities at key sites, and strengthening conservation and wildlife protection.
Government will also promote health tourism and deepen economic diplomacy as part of its wider growth strategy.
Musasizi emphasized that tourism will play a central role in Uganda’s long-term economic transformation agenda, which targets a $500 billion economy by 2040, alongside sectors such as oil, agriculture, manufacturing, and services.
With rising international recognition and increased investment, he said tourism is expected to remain a key foreign exchange earner and job creator as Uganda scales up its global competitiveness.