Last week, Uganda joined the global community in commemorating World Tourism Day 2025 under the theme “Tourism and Sustainable Transformation.” Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Robinah Nabbanja officiated the celebrations on behalf of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, emphasizing that tourism’s impact extends beyond mere leisure destinations.
“Tourism is not just about beautiful locations and memorable experiences; it is an engine of economic growth, a creator of jobs, and a catalyst for positive social change,” she stated.
During her speech, she welcomed representatives from the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan, highlighting Arua’s unique position as a gateway to neighboring countries. She noted that this location can foster corridors of prosperity that connect our people through commerce, travel, and shared experiences.
The Prime Minister also mentioned significant government investments supporting this growth strategy, including the expansion of Entebbe International Airport, the development of a new Kabale International Airport, and the upgrading of domestic aerodromes in Arua, Kidepo, Kasese, Jinja, and Kisoro. Furthermore, she highlighted the revitalization of Uganda Airlines, which recently launched a route to London, and government efforts to develop the Ajai Wildlife Reserve, with plans to translocate White Rhinos in December this year.
She commended regional tourism initiatives such as the Elgon Marathon, Gulu City’s Oktoberfest, and Fort Portal’s Empako Festival, noting that innovation like this drives competitiveness and revenue growth.
Under the National Development Plan IV and Vision 2040, the Ugandan government has set a tenfold growth strategy for the economy, with tourism expected to achieve an extraordinary 25-fold growth in the coming decade.
Minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Hon. Tom Butime, recently announced impressive performance figures demonstrating the sector’s resilience in the post-pandemic era.
In 2024, international tourist arrivals reached 1.37 million visitors, representing 89.2% of pre-pandemic levels. Tourism expenditure grew significantly by 26%, amounting to UGX 4.8 trillion (approximately $1.28 billion), with the average tourist staying 8.7 nights.
Currently, the tourism sector contributes 5.7% to Uganda’s GDP and supports over 803,000 jobs nationwide. Minister Butime noted that these figures reflect global tourism trends, where the industry accounts for approximately 7% of world trade and ranks as the third-largest export category. In the first half of 2025, international tourism grew by 5%, with nearly 690 million tourists traveling worldwide between January and June.
Minister Butime outlined the sector’s ambitious goal of generating $50 billion in foreign exchange earnings by 2040, which aligns with Uganda’s larger goal of achieving a GDP of $500 billion.
The day’s festivities included a National Tourism Exhibition, cultural showcases, eco-tourism innovations, and an “Explore Uganda” concert. The celebrations featured the presentation of the Tourism Recognition of Excellence Awards, honoring national champions and regional innovators in various categories such as cultural tourism, agro-tourism, wildlife, and investment products.
The event culminated in the launch of the “Explore West Nile” campaign, which aims to highlight the region’s tourism assets, including Murchison Falls National Park, Pakwach cultural processions, and Arua Hill.