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Uganda has regained its fun membership within the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the government has announced.

The development comes during the ongoing UNWTO General Assembly in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.  

“Pleased to share that Uganda has regained her full membership status to the United Nations World Tourism Organization as declared on October 18, 2023,” Hon. Martin Mugarra Bahinduka, the Minister of State for Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, said in a social media post.

Uganda’s tourist arrivals are reported to have improved in 2022 to 814,508 from 473,085 in 2021 according to recent data from the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities.

The World Tourism Organisation is the United Nations agency responsible for the promotion of responsible, sustainable and universally accessible tourism. The General Assembly is the principal gathering of the World Tourism Organization.

It meets every two years to approve the budget and programme of work and to debate topics of vital importance to the tourism sector. Every four years, it elects a Secretary-General. The General Assembly is composed of Full Members and Associate Members.

The General Assembly is the supreme organ of UNWTO. This year’s General Assembly started on October 16 and will end on October 20.

The full UNWTO membership status is expected to unlock further support, partnerships, and opportunities for Uganda's tourism industry, positioning the country as a prime destination for travelers worldwide.

Over the past 10 years, Uganda has seen steady growth in its tourism supported by massive investment by the government as well as private sector players.

Over the past 10 years, Uganda has seen steady growth in its tourism supported by massive investment by the government as well as private sector players.

For instance, the foreign exchange earnings from tourism improved to $1.32b from $1.2b in fiscal year 2020/21. Similarly, the tourism sector’s contribution to gross domestic product (GDP) marginally expanded to 3.1% from 2.9% in the same period.

Uganda’s tourist arrivals are reported to have improved in 2022 to 814,508 from 473,085 in 2021 according to recent data from the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities.

Early this year, President Yoweri Museveni launched the Explore Uganda, the Pearl of Africa brand, which aims to increase Uganda’s attractiveness as a preferred tourism destination in Africa.

According to Uganda Tourism Board (UTB), the new brand acknowledges and seeks to differentiate Uganda as a destination of multiple experiences in one unique place – and position the country as the most competitive destination in Africa and the world to tourists and tourism investors alike.