A seven-member delegation from Ghana, leading the Trans-Africa Tourism and Unity initiative, has gained significant support for a visa-free Africa after engaging with Ugandan officials. Their visit to Uganda from November 13 for five days marked their 22nd country visited in three months of road travel across Africa.
The delegation aims to encourage African governments to adopt a unified, borderless approach for the continent’s 1.5 billion citizens, allowing for unrestricted movement and trade. During their visit, they enjoyed a cultural evening at the Ndere Cultural Centre and engaged with key Ugandan officials.
On Sunday, the delegation immersed themselves in Uganda’s cultural offerings, spending the evening at Ndere Cultural Centre, where they were treated to a vibrant showcase of dance, music, and storytelling from Uganda’s diverse ethnic communities.
Speaking at an earlier engagement, Dr. Basil Ajer, Director Tourism at the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities (MTWA), remarked that Africa must “take a common direction,” noting that flying across the continent remains more difficult and often more expensive than travelling to destinations outside Africa. “We need a round-table approach to unlock movement for our people,” Ajer said.
On Monday evening, the campaign reached a crucial milestone as the delegation met President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni at the Mayuge Presidential State Lodge, where the head of state expressed strong support for the initiative. Joined by officials from MTWA, the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB), and the Ghana Consulate, the meeting centered on aligning Uganda’s tourism priorities with the broader continental vision.
President Museveni emphasized unity and economic interdependence as key to Africa’s development and welcomed the campaign’s goal of fostering tourism, job creation, and intra-African trade. His support adds weight to ongoing regional debates about easing travel restrictions, especially as Uganda continues to champion East African integration.
Permanent Secretary Doreen Katusiime, recalling recent global debates on migration in Riyadh, underscored the urgency of Africa creating its own solutions. She commended countries like Rwanda and Kenya for opening their borders and praised the youth-led nature of the Trans-Africa campaign, calling a visa-free Africa “a step in the right direction.” Katusiime added the long-standing ease of movement on the East African block, catered to by the East African tourism protocol.
Tourism Minister Tom Butime pledged to advance the discussions within government, revealing plans for MTWA, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and the Ministry of Trade to draft a joint cabinet paper on easing movement for Africans. He acknowledged constraints but reaffirmed Uganda’s commitment to Pan-African ideals and stronger bilateral ties, particularly with Ghana.
Campaign Lead Hon. Ras Mubarak noted that the economic and security benefits of integration are “inherent and backed by data,” arguing that Africa loses significantly by maintaining rigid borders. He called for enhanced intelligence-sharing, citing the European Union’s Schengen model and the UAE as an example of how open borders can strengthen trade volumes and regional stability.
Uganda Tourism Association president Yogi Birigwa also pressed for reciprocity, questioning why South Africans receive visas on arrival in Uganda while Ugandans face tougher hurdles when travelling to South Africa.
The team toured the Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Centre, gaining a quick yet comprehensive glimpse into the biodiversity that defines the country’s national parks.
With 22 countries covered and 17 more to go, the Ghana team will report their findings to each country visited, regional blocs, and the African Union. As their campaign rolls on, Uganda’s endorsement stands out as a major boost in Africa’s long-running quest for free movement across the continent
