JINJA — Uganda’s Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities (MTWA) has unveiled an expansive five-year strategic plan prioritising Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE), major infrastructure upgrades, and diversification of tourism products as part of efforts to transform tourism into a cornerstone of economic growth.
The Strategic Plan, covering the period 2025/26 to 2029/30, “sets out a transformative agenda aimed at positioning tourism as a cornerstone of Uganda’s socio-economic development,” with a strong focus on attracting higher-spending visitors, extending their length of stay, and boosting foreign exchange earnings.
MTWA Strategic Plan 202526-2029
The ministry notes that tourism has already become one of the anchors of Uganda’s growth strategy due to its “high economic multiplier effect,” strong job creation potential, and ability to attract foreign direct investment through hotels, roads, museums, and other infrastructure.
MTWA Strategic Plan 202526-2029…
Major push for MICE tourism
A key focus of the strategy is positioning Uganda as a regional hub for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE), supported by investments in conference facilities and tourism infrastructure.
The ministry says Uganda already benefits from “the existence of a world-class conference facility (of up to 1,500 seating capacity)” which enhances the country’s ability to host international meetings and events.
MTWA Strategic Plan 202526-2029…
Under the new plan, government will invest directly in priority tourism products including MICE, cultural heritage, national parks, and iconic attractions such as the Source of the Nile and Rwenzori Mountains.
MTWA Strategic Plan 202526-2029…
Officials say strengthening conference tourism will help Uganda tap into the lucrative global business travel market while supporting hotels, airlines, tour operators, and other service providers.
Massive infrastructure expansion planned
Infrastructure development forms the backbone of the new strategy, with government prioritising improvements in roads, visitor facilities, ICT connectivity, and tourism support infrastructure.
The ministry says it will focus on “closing the tourism infrastructure gaps by upgrading tourism facilities, visitor centres, and key tourism sites,” including improved signage, stopover points, and digital systems to enhance visitor experience.
MTWA Strategic Plan 202526-2029…
Tourism roadside infrastructure will be expanded significantly, with plans to develop at least 10 roadside tourism facilities, stopover centres, and visitor amenities across key tourism routes.
MTWA Strategic Plan 202526-2029…
Major projects include redevelopment of flagship tourism attractions such as the Source of the Nile in Jinja, where government plans to build modern access infrastructure, sanitary facilities, an observation tower, and improved cultural heritage sites.
MTWA Strategic Plan 202526-2029…
Equator crossing points in Entebbe, Kayabwe, Ntutsi, and Ibanda will also be transformed into tourism hubs with visitor centres, cafés, souvenir shops, cultural performance spaces, and improved road access.
MTWA Strategic Plan 202526-2029…
Government also plans to improve ICT infrastructure at tourism sites, ensuring reliable internet connectivity, digital booking systems, and e-tourism services, with the number of tourism service providers offering online services expected to increase significantly.
MTWA Strategic Plan 202526-2029…
The ministry says modern digital tools—including e-maps, virtual reality, and automated visitor systems—will be introduced to improve tourism management and marketing.
MTWA Strategic Plan 202526-2029…
Diversifying tourism beyond wildlife
A major component of the plan is diversification of Uganda’s tourism offerings beyond traditional wildlife attractions such as gorilla trekking.
The ministry says the plan prioritises “diversifying Uganda’s tourism portfolio beyond traditional wildlife attractions to include cultural, adventure, culinary, and community-based tourism experiences.”
MTWA Strategic Plan 202526-2029…
New tourism products planned include agro-tourism, culinary tourism, birding, faith-based tourism, hiking, and mountaineering. Initiatives include development of agro-tourism enterprises, culinary festivals, birding trails, and faith-based pilgrimage routes such as the Martyrs’ Trail.
MTWA Strategic Plan 202526-2029…
Mountaineering tourism will also be expanded through development of infrastructure on Mount Rwenzori and Mount Elgon, including trails, safety facilities, accommodation shelters, and a proposed cable car on the Rwenzori Mountains.
MTWA Strategic Plan 202526-2029…
Government is also upgrading museums and cultural heritage sites across the country, including expansion of regional museums and preservation of monuments and historical sites.
MTWA Strategic Plan 202526-2029…
Officials say enriching tourism experiences is critical, noting that “without enriching the visitor experience, Uganda loses out on high-value tourism opportunities,” particularly in areas such as heritage tourism, adventure tourism, and wellness tourism.
MTWA Strategic Plan 202526-2029…
Tourism recreational zones and private sector investment
The ministry plans to develop tourism recreational zones and encourage private investment in hotels, tourism facilities, and stopover centres.
Targets include increasing the number of international hotel chains operating in Uganda and strengthening public-private partnerships to support infrastructure development.
MTWA Strategic Plan 202526-2029…
Tourism roads, museums, monuments, and protected areas will also be upgraded to attract both leisure and business travellers.
MTWA Strategic Plan 202526-2029…
Skills development and digital transformation
To improve service quality, government will invest heavily in skills development, apprenticeships, and tourism training programmes.
The plan includes training tour guides, hospitality workers, and tourism professionals while upgrading training institutions and developing apprenticeship programmes to address skills gaps in the sector.
MTWA Strategic Plan 202526-2029…
The ministry will also expand the Tourism Information Management System and digitise tourism services, enabling online bookings, digital marketing, and better data collection.
MTWA Strategic Plan 202526-2029…
Shs1.34 trillion investment plan
Implementation of the five-year strategy will cost an estimated Shs1.34 trillion, with government financing recurrent expenditures and development partners, civil society, and private investors expected to contribute over 35 percent of development funding.
Tourism officials say the investment will position Uganda to compete globally and significantly increase tourism’s contribution to the economy.
The ministry says the plan aims to transform Uganda into “a competitive and sustainable tourism destination, leveraging its rich natural and cultural heritage to contribute meaningfully to national development.”