Key players in Uganda’s tourism sector have highlighted their efforts to strengthen the country’s positioning ahead of POATE 2026.
Their remarks came during the launch of the exhibition held on Friday at the Sheraton Kampala Hotel, offering a clearer picture of how institutions are preparing for next year’s international showcase.
Uganda Airlines Marketing and Product Development Manager Sandra Namutebi said the carrier is working to improve how it presents Uganda in its newer destinations.
She noted that routes such as Guangzhou, Lagos and Accra hold strong potential, but the airline has not yet fully broken through in marketing Uganda’s attractions there.
Although direct flights have reduced travel time for visitors, she said more effort is needed to raise the country’s profile.
Namutebi pointed to growing interest in emerging routes such as Mumbai and Jeddah–Riyadh, explaining that each new connection was chosen to reach markets Uganda intends to attract. She added that Uganda Airlines continues to use locally made products on board and that route expansion will allow more local suppliers to benefit.
Uganda Wildlife Authority Business Development Manager Dorcus Rukundo said UWA is strengthening its conservation efforts as part of preparations for the exhibition.
She said tour guides have supported regulations that control over-tracking and limit how close visitors can get to gorillas.
She noted that UWA discourages mass tourism and deliberately approves lodge spaces that remain small and environmentally sensitive, often allowing room for only eight visitors at a time.
This, she said, helps preserve endangered plant species and prevents human activity from encroaching on wildlife habitats.
Association of Uganda Tour Operators Secretary Dennis Ntege said the private sector is prioritising technology to improve engagement with clients.
He said operators are using digital tools to make booking processes more efficient and to interact more directly with potential visitors.
He added that online feedback systems are helping companies review their services and strengthen credibility in an increasingly competitive market.
Rukundo, however, highlighted mobility as a major challenge still affecting the sector.
She appealed to domestic airlines such as Eagle Air to review travel costs to key tourism sites, saying high prices remain a barrier to fully showcasing Uganda’s attractions.
She added that UWA is in discussions with UNRA and telecom companies to improve the road network and digital coverage in protected tourism areas.