The President of Uganda Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has graced the world Tourism day in Mbale and said Tourism is an important pillar to the economy of Uganda because It brings foreign exchang and its a source of employment more so the only way to market Ugandan products .
In addition , he has said that when tourists come to Uganda they spend money in different ways like Transport , accommodation , Feeding among other things which gives Ugandans money to survive , he has added that tourism receipts increased to approximately US$1.62 billion, or about UGX 5.83 trillion. Tourism directly supports more than 876,000 jobs and has become a significant contributor to Uganda’s service exports.
These are not merely tourism statistics.
HE has said that Uganda’s tourism industry was severely affected by COVID-19. Just as the sector was recovering, we encountered another serious challenge this year with the outbreak of Ebola but he has assured Ugandans that Uganda has the institutional capacity, health systems, professionals and partnerships necessary to detect, contain and respond to public-health emergencies so the foreign Tourists should not fear to visit Uganda because its a very safe and free country from Disease .
In his speech , the president has said that the theme of Digital transformation and Artificial Intelligence is especially important also encouraged that the tourism sector is embracing the digital agenda and Artificial Intelligence and competitiveness of tomorrow’s industries will increasingly be determined by how effectively they use digital technologies.
The minister of Tourism wildlife and antiquities Hon Col. Tom Butime has stated that the theme of the year “Digital Agenda and Artificial Intelligence to Redesign Tourism.” It is a theme that speaks directly to the Uganda we are building because Uganda has embraced science and technology, innovation and enterprise
He has continued to say that Uganda recorded a record-breaking 1.64 million international tourist arrivals in 2025, which represents a 19.7% increase compared to previous baseline periods. These travellers stayed for an impressive average of 8.8 nights, injecting $1.62 billion approximately UGX 5.8 trillion in direct foreign exchange earnings into our economy .
In addition , Butime has added that the tourism ecosystem contributes 5.9% to Uganda GDP and directly sustains more than 876,000 jobs across the nation, heavily employing our women and youth. Every single shilling invested in promoting this sector yields an immediate Shs 2.6 in return, confirming that tourism offers one of the highest returns on public investment in the country.
To lock in this economic advantage, the government has increased the allocation to Shs 567 billion for tourism development in the 2026/27 financial year, expanding our fiscal space to reinforce critical conservation infrastructure and launch high-impact global marketing interventions.
Doreen Katusiime the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism Wildlife and Antiquties has said that Elgon Region is blessed with an extraordinary combination of nature, culture, adventure, agriculture, history and community life
She has added that Government recognises the importance of protecting and respecting the cultural integrity of Imbalu while also creating opportunities for communities to benefit from the tourism economy that surrounds it.
It would also position Mbale as a major entertainment and cultural destination during the Imbalu season, generating business for hotels, restaurants, transport operators, guides, artists, craftsmen, farmers, traders and communities.
The global tourism industry is changing rapidly. Technology, digital platforms, data and Artificial Intelligence are transforming how tourists discover destinations, make decisions, book experiences and share their experiences with the world.
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