Rwandan Rotary Club urges EAC tourism boost after Kasese visit

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Members of Rwanda’s Kigali Virunga Rotary Club have called on global Rotary networks to actively promote tourism across East African Community (EAC) nations.

The call follows a fact-finding tour of Uganda’s Kasese district-based Queen Elizabeth National Park and the Kazinga Channel on August 18, 2025. The delegation emphasised leveraging Rotary’s 1.4 million members worldwide to drive cross-border travel and conservation efforts.

During a game drive and boat cruise through the park’s iconic wildlife corridors, the group witnessed hippos, crocodiles and diverse ecosystems central to Uganda’s tourism appeal.

Allen Kendunga, a club member, stressed urgent environmental protection: "Preserving green cover and water bodies is essential for sustaining habitats that attract tourists. We must scale up tree planting, wetland conservation and community education to halt encroachment on protected areas."

Members of the Rotary Club Kigali Virunga based in Rwanda enjoying a boat cruise at the Kazinga Channel in Kasese District. (Photo by Samuel Amanyire)

Agnes Kagwisagye amplified the call, urging Rotarians to personally experience EAC destinations: "Tourism promotion aligns with our humanitarian mission. When countries earn revenue from visitors, they can better fund public services. We must explore Uganda and Rwanda’s beauty firsthand, then share these stories globally."

Confident Niyizibyose, the Rwandan delegation leader, framed the initiative within Rotary’s "Service Above Self" ethos, saying, "With our vast network, we can mobilise colleagues to visit, explore, and ultimately transform the tourism landscape. Every traveller we inspire creates economic ripples".

The tour was facilitated by Ronald Baluku Busimba, the consular officer at Uganda’s High Commission in Kigali, who revealed strategic diplomatic intent.

"This visit is part of our deliberate push for tourism-driven economic diplomacy. By showcasing Uganda’s natural wonders to Rwandans, we strengthen EAC integration and mutual prosperity."

Post-pandemic recovery

The delegation’s advocacy comes as both nations prioritise post-pandemic tourism recovery.  For instance, the Uganda Tourism Board started looking elsewhere to grow tourist numbers from the usual sources of the US and Asia, as well as the European Union.

Confident Niyizibyose, the Team leader from Rwanda said the over 1.4 million Rotary members can be a big boost to the tourism industry. (Photo by Samuel Amanyire)

The entity mandated to promote Uganda as a tourist destination started after the COVID-19 lockdown was lifted, cultivating Africa-to-Africa travellers as purchasing power on the continent improves and dreaming of making every tourist stay more than the average eight days and spend more than $111 (about shillings 418,000) per night.

Campaign to showcase Uganda

In a bid to grow tourist numbers, Uganda in June 2025 unveiled a campaign aimed at showcasing Uganda’s breathtaking landscapes, wildlife, culture and investment potential.

The campaign, termed as “Unveiling the Hidden Pearl of Africa”, was launched by the team from Uganda led by Amb Ann Katusiime during the opening of Kilifair East Africa’s Largest Tourism Expo in Arusha, Tanzania, at the famed 41,000 sqm Magereza Prison grounds.

The campaign invites the world to discover Uganda, the true Pearl of Africa. The Kilifair Tourism expo attracted over 500 exhibitors from more than 15 countries, 1,000 international buyers and trade visitors, media and industry leaders.

The launch was attended by Consul General Amb. Anne Katusiime, deputy head of mission, Elizabeth Allimadi, first secretary and accounting officer, Laura Kahuga, counsellor, Philip Kanyoonzi, Teddy Akello and Prof James Kalema, Chairman Uganda Wildlife Board of Trustees.

From the campaign, the tourism sector hopes to increase tourist arrivals from the current 1,371,895 international tourists, a 7.7% increase from the previous year.

According to the Uganda Tourism Board, the sector earned the country $1.28 billion, about sh4.8 trillion from international tourism receipts in 2024; a growth rate attributed to increased arrivals from Africa and key overseas markets.

Speaking on the sidelines of the Expo, Ugandan tourism promoter and operator Amos Wekesa called on Ugandans to take advantage of the beauty and features, among other opportunities in the sector, to grow the numbers. He gave an example of Tanzania, which not long ago had a target of attracting 5million tourists, a number that has since doubled.