Kampala, Uganda — Government has allocated Shs 430 billion to the tourism sector for the 2025/26 financial year. This was revealed by Finance Minister Matia Kasaija during the reading of the national budget at Kololo ceremonial grounds this Thursday.
“The tourism sector continues to recover, with tourist arrivals increasing by 7.7 percent to 1.37 million in 2024, up from 1.27 million in 2023,” Kasaija announced. “Similarly, tourism earnings grew by 26 percent to USD 1.28 billion, up from USD 1.02 billion the previous year.”
He attributed the growth to targeted international marketing efforts under the “Explore Uganda” campaign, which focused on high-value markets such as the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. According to Kasaija, “The year-on-year growth of interest in Uganda by tourists stands at 33 percent for the United Kingdom, 19 percent for Canada, and 5 percent for the USA.”
The minister further noted the growing importance of domestic tourism, saying: “Through the theme ‘Uniquely Ours’, we have promoted domestic tourism. As a result, domestic tourism in national parks increased by 15.7 percent in 2024, reaching 244,843 visitors.”
Alongside marketing efforts, Kasaija highlighted ongoing investments in tourism infrastructure aimed at making Uganda’s attractions more accessible and competitive. These include the maintenance of 1,300 kilometres of trail tracks and roads in protected areas, expansion of electric fencing in Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls National Parks to 177 kilometres, continued development at the Source of the Nile, upgrades to the Uganda Museum and Namugongo Martyrs’ Shrines, and near-completion of the Karamoja Museum.
He also cited the newly commissioned world-class convention facility in Munyonyo as a milestone, stating: “This has promoted Uganda as one of the regional destinations for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE). Uganda now ranks 7th in Africa in MICE tourism.”
In addition to the Shs 430 billion allocated directly to the tourism sector, Kasaija revealed that approximately Shs 2.2 trillion has been provided for related investments, including tourism roads, ICT infrastructure, AFCON infrastructure, and enhanced security in tourism areas.
Looking ahead, the minister outlined government’s tourism priorities for the coming year: “Our focus will be on branding and marketing Uganda as a tourism and investment destination; infrastructure development in tourism sites; construction of refreshment centres and highway sanitation facilities; improving and enforcing hospitality standards and training; and promoting health tourism by investment in specialised health facilities.”
He also emphasized government’s broader commercial diplomacy strategy: “Every mission abroad is now tasked to bring investors and tourists and open up export markets.”
The tourism sector remains one of Uganda’s key foreign exchange earners and job creators, with government now doubling efforts to consolidate gains and expand opportunities across the entire value chain. Give title