In the recently released national budget 2025/2026, the tourism sector was allocated Shs 430bn in direct funding, and it also expects to benefit from an additional Shs 2.2 trillion the Finance ministry set aside for cross-sectoral developments, likely to benefit tourism indirectly through infrastructure and more.
While tourism is still a top foreign exchange earner for Uganda (Shs 5.8 trillion this financial year, up from Shs 5.2 trillion according to Finance minister Matia Kasaija during his budget speech on June 12), stakeholders have always been the proverbial Oliver Twist, asking government for some more financing for the sector.
Government seems to have listened and taken notes, and from the miserly allocation of Shs 289.6bn in the 2024/2025 budget, there was a 140.4bn increase in the budget Kasaija released last week – a definite win for the sector.
“It is a very welcome development for the government’s increased allocation to the tourism sector as it is timely and strategic investment in Uganda’s economic recovery and transformation. This funding will empower the Uganda Tourism Board to aggressively market Destination Uganda, improve tourism infrastructure, and support product development across the country,” Uganda Tourism Board’s head of Public Relations, Dr Simplicious Gessa, said.
“With this boost, we are better positioned to attract more visitors, create jobs, and enhance Uganda’s competitiveness on the global tourism map.”
Through the eyes of a British national who recently toured Uganda, the country’s many colours and beauty deserve more recognition, especially considered that she (Alice Morrison) spent 30 percent less per day in Uganda, compared to what is needed in Kenya, and a gorilla permit in Uganda costs half that of Rwanda.
From game drives in Murchison Falls National Park, to the sereneness of Lake Bunyonyi and the culinary delights and culture, Morrison was swept away by the Pearl of Africa and documented her journey for the UK’s Daily Mail.
Story by the Observer