Uganda earmarks India in tourism boost drive

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Uganda has taken its tourism pitch to one of the world’s largest outbound travel platforms as it seeks to raise its global visibility and position itself as a destination of choice for Indian and other international travellers.

The country is expected to participate in the Outbound Travel Mart (OTM) in Mumbai from February 5 to 7, 2026, in a joint effort led by the Uganda High Commission in India, the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) and the Uganda Airlines.

The engagement will later extend to the South Asia Tourism and Travel Exchange (SATTE) in New Delhi scheduled for February 25–27, 2026.

Speaking at the opening of the events in Mumbai, Uganda’s High Commissioner to India, Prof. Joyce Kikafunda, said India remains one of the fastest-growing tourist source markets globally, driven by rising disposable incomes and a growing middle class seeking leisure and international exposure.

She described OTM Mumbai as a strategic opportunity for Uganda to strengthen its presence on the global tourism map, noting that the fair is expected to attract more than 50,000 trade visitors and about 2,200 exhibitors from over 60 countries.

“This platform gives Uganda the visibility it needs to establish itself as a destination of choice in an increasingly competitive tourism market,” Kikafunda said, underscoring the importance of engaging directly with tour operators, travel agents and destination planners who shape global travel flows.

Creating awareness and promoting Uganda

The participation at OTM follows a multi-city tourism roadshow dubbed Explore Uganda India, which runs from February 2 to 4 in Delhi, Ahmedabad and Mumbai.

According to Brian Mwanika, head of economic and commercial diplomacy at the Uganda High Commission in India, the roadshow is aimed at creating awareness and promoting Destination Uganda in some of India’s most important outbound travel hubs.

The roadshow is jointly organised by the High Commission, UTB and Uganda Airlines as part of a broader strategy to deepen Uganda’s footprint in the Indian market.

Officials said Mumbai plays a critical role in India’s outbound travel ecosystem, with six out of every ten Indians travelling abroad passing through the city, which also hosts the headquarters of the country’s largest outbound tour operators, particularly those serving affluent, luxury and long-haul travellers. The city is also home to Bollywood, whose global influence continues to shape travel tastes and aspirations.

India is already Uganda’s leading source of tourists outside East Africa. Figures shared by Amb. Kikafunda show that Indian arrivals to Uganda rose from 34,208 in 2024 to 42,800 in 2025.

The High Commission has now set an ambitious target of increasing the number to over 100,000 visitors within the next two years through sustained marketing, partnerships and improved connectivity.

Uganda Airlines launched direct flights between Entebbe and Mumbai in October 2023, significantly reducing travel time and costs between the two countries. In September 2025, the national carrier further strengthened connectivity by signing an inter-airline agreement with Air India, allowing for smoother and more seamless passenger travel.

Officials say these developments have removed one of the major barriers that previously limited travel and business exchanges between Uganda and India, creating new opportunities for tourism, trade and investment.