Uganda has received the Best Exquisite Destination Award at the Outbound Travel Mart (OTM) 2026, held from February 5–7 at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai, India.
The award was presented to Uganda’s High Commissioner to India, Ambassador Prof. Joyce Kikafunda, who led the country’s delegation to South Asia’s largest travel trade exhibition. Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) was represented by board directors Dr. Margaret Arach Ojara and Vincent Operemo, alongside the institution’s technical team.
Other stakeholders in attendance included representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Uganda Wildlife Authority, Uganda Airlines and the private sector.
UTB Chief Executive Officer Juliana Kagwa said engagements at the expo had opened up new opportunities for partnerships with the Indian travel market.
“Discussions with Indian tour operators, agents, and media have led to new collaborations aimed at promoting Uganda through joint initiatives, with expectations of significant growth in arrivals from the Asian market,” Kagwa noted.
Vincent Operemo, National Planning Authority Strategic Planning Manager and UTB board director, said the recognition aligns with national priorities outlined in Vision 2040, which positions tourism as a key driver of foreign exchange earnings, employment and inclusive growth.
He added that the achievement supports the government’s strategic interventions under the ATMS framework — Agro-industrialisation, Tourism development, Mineral-based industrialisation (including oil and gas), and Science, Technology and Innovation.
OTM attracted more than 50,000 travel professionals and over 2,200 exhibitors from more than 60 countries. Uganda’s exhibition showcased its premier attractions, including cultural heritage, adventure tourism and wildlife safaris.
Ambassador Kikafunda commended Team Uganda for its strong representation at the exhibition.
“This award underscores Uganda’s distinctive offerings in authentic African tourism and supports the government broader objectives for sustainable economic development,” she said.
Tourism contributes approximately 7.3 percent to Uganda’s gross domestic product and supports more than 1.5 million jobs. In the 2024/2025 financial year, international arrivals increased by 15 percent, generating $1.2 billion in revenue, reflecting strong post-pandemic recovery driven by infrastructure improvements and conservation programmes.
Uganda is home to more than half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas.
The latest recognition adds to recent international accolades, including Best in Show – Africa at the January 2026 Travel & Adventure Expo in New York, highlighting Uganda’s proactive destination marketing efforts. The country targets 2.5 million annual visitors by 2030 as it continues to promote its biodiversity and cultural heritage to international audiences.
