Uganda has unveiled a bold and far-reaching Tourism Policy (2025), positioning the sector as a central engine of national transformation and economic resilience.
The policy was launched by the Minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Tom Butime, marking what he described as a milestone moment for the country’s future as a globally competitive destination.
Speaking at the launch, Minister Butime commended development partners, government agencies, the private sector, and media for their role in shaping the policy. He emphasized that the strategy will anchor Uganda’s tourism vision under the NRM Manifesto, National Development Plan IV, and the Tenfold Growth Strategy.
“The Uganda Tourism Policy (2025) provides a renewed, strategic and forward-looking direction for tourism as a transformative pillar of our economy,” Butime emphasized, highlighting global challenges such as technological disruptions, climate pressures, health crises, and rising competition.
The policy’s rollout comes at a time when Uganda is eyeing major growth opportunities. These include the rising Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) market, the upcoming AFCON 2027 tournament, oil developments in the Albertine region, and technology-driven expansion in digital tourism. Government argues that a peaceful electoral cycle, improved infrastructure and growing youth capacity strengthen Uganda’s positioning.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of tourism Wildlife and Antiquities Doreen Katusiime underscored the policy’s alignment with Vision 2040, NDP IV and international frameworks including the EAC Tourism Protocol and UN Sustainable Development Goals. She noted longstanding bottlenecks, poor infrastructure, regulatory gaps and low investment and said the new framework provides “a decisive blueprint for national transformation.”
PS Katusiime applauded support from the World Bank’s CEDP and called for mainstreaming tourism across all sectors, from works and security to finance and ICT.
Representing the Uganda Tourism Association (UTA), President Yogi Birigwa welcomed the policy but posed critical questions around coordination, private-sector inclusion and addressing taxation, licensing, and skills barriers. She urged government to ensure the policy becomes a living roadmap, not a shelved document.
“The private sector implements tourism daily, this policy must be implemented with us, not around us,” she said.
The private sector pledged to raise standards, champion sustainability, drive innovation, expand investment, and strengthen dialogue with government.
With the new policy outlining reforms in regulation, marketing, safety, and product development, Uganda aims to become one of Africa’s top five destinations and grow tourism earnings to at least USD 4 billion.