Uganda showcases cultural heritage at Moscow tourism forum
Uganda's Ambassador to the Russian Federation, Moses Kizige, said the country's participation was intended to promote Uganda's tourism potential while strengthening bilateral relations with Russia.
Dressed in traditional attire representing different regions of the country, they attracted scores of visitors interested in learning more about the Pearl of Africa. (Courtesy photos)
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Uganda concluded a successful participation at the 2026 International Tourism Forum "Let's Travel" in Moscow, Russia, by showcasing its rich cultural heritage and diverse tourism offerings to an international audience.
On the final day of the five-day forum, members of the Ugandan delegation, tourism stakeholders, embassy staff and volunteers transformed Uganda's exhibition stand into a vibrant display of culture and identity. Dressed in traditional attire representing different regions of the country, they attracted scores of visitors interested in learning more about the Pearl of Africa.
Uganda's Ambassador to the Russian Federation, Moses Kizige, said the country's participation was intended to promote Uganda's tourism potential while strengthening bilateral relations with Russia.
He explained that Uganda's presence at the forum extended beyond tourism promotion to include marketing local products and highlighting investment opportunities.
"We are also marketing other Ugandan products like our coffee, our fruits and everything that we offer. We are also talking about the investment opportunities that Uganda offers," he said.
According to Kizige, the event provided an important opportunity to engage directly with Russian tourism managers, tour operators and potential travellers interested in visiting Uganda.
"This interaction helps us get in touch with the managers of tourism in the country, the tour operators and the tourists themselves. We hope to achieve a lot," he added.
The cultural showcase formed part of Uganda's broader strategy to position itself not only as a destination for wildlife and adventure tourism but also as a country with a rich cultural heritage capable of attracting travellers seeking authentic experiences.
The event was held under the theme, "Different Cultures, Common Values: Uniting People Through Travel," a message that closely aligned with Uganda's presentation.
Tourism officials said cultural tourism is becoming an increasingly important component of Uganda's tourism offering as international travellers seek deeper engagement with local communities, traditions and lifestyles.
Beyond its renowned mountain gorillas, national parks, and the source of the Nile, Uganda is home to more than 60 indigenous communities, each with distinct languages, customs, music, dance and traditional attire.
Uganda's exhibition attracted considerable interest from visitors, with locally produced coffee emerging as one of the stand's most popular attractions.
"Since morning, our coffee has attracted thousands of people," Kizige said.
The exhibition featured a collective showcase by leading players in Uganda's tourism industry, who used the platform to market tour packages and establish new partnerships with international operators.
Uganda's stand was among the most vibrant at the forum and received recognition from organisers, earning third prize in a special nomination category. The award was viewed as recognition of the country's growing profile on the international tourism stage and its efforts to market its unique attractions.
Kizige said Uganda's participation in previous editions of the forum had already produced encouraging results.
"Since our first participation, the number of tourists coming to Uganda has been growing, and we are really here to strengthen the relationship between Uganda and the Russian Federation," he said.
The forum comes ahead of the third Russia-Africa Summit scheduled to take place in Moscow later this year, where tourism is expected to feature among the key areas of cooperation between African countries and Russia.