Why Uganda’s tourism earnings hit sh4.7 trillion last year

KAMPALA - Uganda’s positive rating as a preferred tourist destination continues to bear fruit, with earnings from the sector growing from $1.025b (about sh3.7 trillion) in 2023 to $1.280b (about sh4.7 trillion) last year. 

According to the Statistical Abstract 2025 released by the tourism ministry recently, last year was defined by continued recovery, transformation and renewed global interest in Uganda as a preferred tourist destination. 

“International tourist arrivals rose by 7.7%, while receipts grew by 25.9% to reach $1.280b (sh4.7 trillion) in 2024, from $1.025b (sh3.8 trillion) in 2023,” reads the report. 

Doreen Katusiime, the tourism ministry permanent secretary, who released the report on behalf of tourism minister Tom Butime, said the sector registered longer tourist stays, higher per capita expenditure and a notable shift towards leisure and premium tourism experiences compared to the previous year. 

She said growth was mainly driven by arrivals from mainland Africa from 1.1 million to 1.2 million, mostly from East Africa. 

“Key overseas markets also performed well, including the UK (10,179 arrivals), US (16,237) and India (34,208). The North American market grew 19.7%, largely due to a surge in Canadian arrivals (from 3,900 to 9,688),” Katusiime said during the release of the report at Hotel Africana in Kampala on Thursday. 

She further noted that Uganda’s international tourism recovery had reached 89.2% of the pre-pandemic levels, up from 82.6% in 2023. 

“We also acknowledge the dynamic global and regional context in which these achievements occurred. The global travel industry reached 99% of pre-pandemic levels in 2024,” Katusiime said, adding that Uganda not only kept pace, but strengthened its position in the region – particularly within sub-Saharan Africa, where it now holds a 3.2% share of all international tourist arrivals.

Overseas arrivals 

While overseas tourist arrivals grew by 8.9% to 137,411, expanding this market remains a challenge for Uganda. 

“The overseas share increased from 10% in 2023 to 10.1% in 2024, while that for Africa dropped by the same margin. Overseas tourists are high spenders and crucial for foreign exchange earnings, making their growth essential for revenue generation. But thanks to tourists staying longer (8.7 nights versus 8.3 in 2023) and spending more each day ($125 versus $110 in 2023).” 

India remained the top overseas market, with arrivals increasing to 34,208, although its market share remained stable at 24.9%. 

China surpassed the UK to take third place, while the US retained the second place, but saw a decline in market share (14.0% to 11.8%).

The report further says the biggest growth was in arrivals from Canada from 3,900 to 9,688. 

“Canada and Bangladesh emerged as the fastest growing markets, while the US and Germany experienced decline,” the report further reads. 

The report indicated that Bangladesh was in seventh place, with arrivals growing from 2,327 to 4, 897. 

“Germany dropped from fifth to eighth place, while France and Ireland remained stable at ninth and 10th position, respectively. Netherlands emerged as the top potential market in 2024, replacing Bangladesh, whereas Italy moved to second place, while Australia and Belgium retained their third and fourth rankings respectively.”

Domestic tourism 

According to the report, domestic tourism increased by 5.2% last year. It was noted that domestic tourists (Ugandans) were 2.8 million and spent an average of six nights during visits to national parks and cultural sites, according to the tourism ministry report. 

“Domestic tourism in national parks increased by 15.7% in 2024, reaching 244,843 visits, reflecting a growing interest in nature and wildlife experiences among local tourists,” the report read. 

The Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Centre, the report noted, remained the top destination for domestic visitors with 522,829 visits and was followed by the Source of the Nile. 

Murchison Falls and Queen Elizabeth national parks led the charge, commanding over 60% of total visits. 

Some of the tourist attractions in Queen Elizabeth National Park.

“While Queen Elizabeth surged by 32.6%, the spotlight shone brightest on Semliki, soaring by 36.7% and Katonga, leaping 64.4%! Uganda’s wild treasures are roaring back stronger than ever.” 

The report further stated that outbound tourism increased by 7.6% last year. The number of Ugandan residents travelling abroad increased by 7.6% in 2024, rising to 765,059, continuing the upward trend observed since 2020. 

“In 2024, thousands of Ugandan residents travelled abroad primarily for personal reasons, including holiday visits and business purposes. Additionally, a notable portion of outbound travel was for education and medical treatment,” the report further reads.

Regional share 

Katusiime said African visitors continue to dominate Uganda’s inbound tourism, accounting for 89.2% of total arrivals. 

“The major overseas source markets are Asia (4.7%), Europe (2.7%) and the Americas (2.1%).” 

Tourist arrivals from African land markets increased by 5.5% in 2024, with strong growth from South Sudan, Burundi and DR Congo. 

Kenya, which accounted for 41.6% and Rwanda, at 37.0%, remain the top contributors, jointly accounting for 78.6% of arrivals from African land markets. 

“Rwanda’s market share increased from 35.8% in 2023 to 37.0% in 2024, reflecting growth in the visiting friends and relatives segment,” further reads the report, adding that DR Congo saw the highest growth (+3220.0%), significantly increasing its market share from 10% in 2023 to 3.8% in 2024. 

Sudan showed a rise of 208.4%, Somalia 25.2% and Eritrea 27.2%, while Zambia declined by 28.4%. 

“EAC [East African Community] partner states continue to dominate, contributing the majority of land-based Africa arrivals to Uganda (96.9%).

Tourist arrivals from African land markets increased by 5.5% in 2024, with strong growth from South Sudan, Burundi and DR Congo. 

Gorillas 

Gorillas permit sales increased by 6.8% last year, hitting a new high of 41,468 out of the 71,372 that were availed. 

“In 2024, a total of 41,468 gorilla permits were sold, up from 38,836 in 2023, showing a 6.8% year-over-year increase and surpassing the pre-pandemic 2019 level of 39,627 permits sold,” the report reads. 

It, however, points out that the permit utilisation dropped to 58.1% last year, up from 69% in 2023, despite the increase in permits sold. 

“This is due to the significant rise in permits available (from 56,576 to 71,372). The population of gorillas has incidentally increased, while the lion population declined. 

“The gorilla population stood at 459, while the lion population declined significantly from 373 to 292, indicating a potential conservation concern,” reads the report. 

It further indicates that the vast majority (80%) of lions are concentrated in Murchison Falls National Park (240 out of 292), with smaller populations in Queen Elizabeth National Park (40 lions, -14%) and Kidepo Valley NP (12 lions, -4%). 

The report pointed out that the sharp drop in lion numbers and their high concentration in one park underscores the need for targeted conservation strategies in lesser-populated parks and an assessment of threats in Murchison Falls National Park, despite its larger numbers.

Right trajectory

Uganda’s wild heart beats strong with 153 hyenas and 141 leopards — led by Murchison Falls, Lake Mburo and Kidepo Valley national parks. 

“Murchison Falls is the top habitat for both hyenas (45) and leopards (37), highlighting its critical role in carnivore conservation,” the Statistical Abstract 2025 report reads. 

Lake Mburo National Park on the other hand, hosts the most leopards (43), but has the fewest hyenas (six), indicating a possible ecological or prey dynamic favouring leopards. 

According to the tourism ministry, Kidepo Valley National Park supports high numbers of both species — 30 hyenas and 27 leopards — making it a vital area for multi-carnivore conservation.