Uganda aims at 20% increase in tourist arrivals over two years

KAMPALA - Uganda government has announced plans to increase tourist arrivals from India by at least 20 % over the next 24 months, aiming to leverage the country’s natural beauty for tourism growth.

This commitment was made by Uganda's High Commissioner to India, Prof. Joyce Kakuramatsi Kikafunda, during the closing ceremony of the Indian Travel Trade Familiarisation (FAM) trip workshops at Skyz Hotel in Naguru on Friday, June 6, 2025.

"As missions, we want to contribute to the government's recent policy of growing the economy tenfold in the next 15 years, in order to realise our national vision of transforming society from poverty to prosperity by 2040," she stated.

Kikafunda expressed confidence that the partnerships between domestic marketing companies (DMCs) and hospitality providers mark a new era in tapping into the potential of Indian tourism. (Credit: John Masaba)

Prof. Kikafunda explained that this growth will be achieved through targeted tourism promotion, partnerships, and the facilitation of investments in tourism infrastructure.

While the government has identified several key sectors—including agro-processing, minerals (including oil and gas), and science and technology—she emphasised tourism as a priority area for promotion between Uganda and India.

Uganda recently participated in the Outbound Travel Market (OTM) in Bombay, where it won the award for "Most Promising New Destination," and the South Asia Tourism and Travel Exchange (SATTE) earlier this year.

These efforts were guided by the mission's focus on India's outbound tourism, which is the fastest-growing and is projected to become the largest in the world.

Kikafunda acknowledged the importance of consistency and assured stakeholders, "We are ready to maintain our presence in the market, supported by your assistance."

Indian tour operators at Murchison Falls. One of the tour operators says "The falls worked really well as was the boat cruise on the Nile. It was very relaxing."

Direct flights

She noted that the government efforts to enhance tourism include Uganda Airlines' recent launch of direct flights between Mumbai and Entebbe, which reduced travel time from 14 to less than seven hours. 

Additionally, the Ugandan mission in New Delhi is now able to issue electronic visas to travellers within 48 hours.

Improvements have also been prioritised in tourism infrastructure, including roads, domestic airports, electricity, and internet connectivity, to ensure that visitors have a holistic and unforgettable experience.

Kikafunda expressed confidence that the partnerships between domestic marketing companies (DMCs) and hospitality providers mark a new era in tapping into the potential of Indian tourism.

A vast market

According to Prof. Kikafunda, India, with approximately 1.5 billion people, represents a significant tourism market. The country is the fifth-largest economy globally and has a growing middle class with disposable income for travel.

By the end of this year, 19.5 million Indian citizens are expected to travel abroad. By 2030, India is projected to become the world's largest spender on tourism, with expenditures expected to reach $410 billion.

"Given our strong bilateral cooperation, India is one of Uganda's most important strategic partners. I urge both sides to build on this goodwill to deepen collaboration in areas of mutual interest, fostering socioeconomic transformation and the prosperity of our peoples," she stated.

Uganda's High Commissioner to India, Prof. Joyce Kakuramatsi Kikafunda (left) with a guest at Murchison Falls. 

First-hand experience

The tour was organized for travel operators from India to experience Uganda's attractions first-hand, allowing them to spread the word about the country. 

Kikafunda expressed gratitude to the ten tour operators who travelled from various cities in India, including Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Delhi, and Jaipur, for their participation. 

Nagsri Prasad from Creating Special Memories in India mentioned some of the tourist sites they visited, including Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, Kibale Forest, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, and Murchison Falls.

"The falls were impressive, and the boat cruise on the Nile was very relaxing," she remarked.

Heena Munshaw from Beacon Holidays echoed this sentiment, stating that they would gladly recommend these destinations to future tourists from India.

However, they also pointed out some areas where Uganda could improve. Munshaw noted that while their visit to Queen Elizabeth National Park offered incredible wildlife sightings, they were a bit disappointed with the practice of tagging some animals with GPS.

She explained that this approach diminishes the thrill and effort involved in tracking the animals, particularly lions.