Government is targeting annual tourism receipts of $5 billion by 2030 as it seeks to increase the sector’s contribution to Uganda’s economy, Finance Minister Henry Musasizi has said.
Minister Musasizi said achieving the target will require deliberate efforts to attract more visitors, encourage longer stays and position Uganda as a destination for high-value tourists.
“Tourism is a source of high economic growth, earns the country significant foreign exchange, creates jobs for Ugandans, redistributes income to rural areas, and gives us a compelling reason to protect our nature,” he said.
Minister Musasizi was speaking on Wednesday while officiating at the fourth Annual Tourism Development Programme Review Conference at Imperial Royale Hotel in Kampala.
According to the Tourism Development Programme Annual Performance Report for the financial year 2025/26, Uganda received 1.64 million international tourists in 2025, up from 1.37 million in 2024.
Tourism receipts increased by 21.3 per cent to Shs5.83 trillion ($1.62 billion), driven by increased visitor spending and longer stays.
The average length of stay increased marginally from 8.7 nights in 2024 to 8.8 nights in 2025, while average tourist expenditure per trip rose from $933 to $986.
Minister Musasizi said government’s role is to create an enabling environment for private-sector investment, expansion of tourism facilities, improvement of standards and attraction of foreign direct investment through partnerships and joint ventures.
He called for stronger public-private partnerships to develop investments in hotels and conference facilities, eco-tourism, cultural and heritage tourism, faith-based tourism, agro-tourism, sports, wellness, adventure, creative and entertainment tourism.
The sector currently directly employs 876,512 people, representing 7.5 per cent of Uganda’s total employment, according to the Tourism Satellite Account.
Minister Musasizi said government would continue investing in tourism infrastructure, destination marketing, product development, conservation, specialised skills and digital transformation, while improving the business and investment environment.
He also highlighted the need for affordable financing and fiscal incentives for investors, alongside economic and commercial diplomacy to promote Uganda in international markets.
The minister urged tourism stakeholders to identify, develop, package, market and sustainably manage the country’s tourism assets to create jobs, generate foreign exchange and ensure communities benefit from the sector.
State Minister for Tourism Susan Nakawuki said government efforts in tourism marketing, infrastructure development and product diversification were beginning to yield results.
She cited increased Uganda’s visibility in international markets, collaboration between the tourism sector and Uganda’s missions abroad, and partnerships with local governments.
Minister Nakawuki also pointed to the construction of more than 280 kilometres of tourism roads, the expansion of Entebbe International Airport, development of Kabalega International Airport and commencement of Kidepo International Airport as some of the investments aimed at improving tourism infrastructure.
She, however, called for increased investment in tourism infrastructure, stronger marketing and promotion, faster development of tourism products and improved skills among people working in the sector.
