The Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife, and Antiquities in Uganda has announced that the country’s tourism sector is steadily recovering from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. They have set an ambitious target of achieving 6.986 trillion Ugandan Shillings in annual revenue by 2025.
Tourism is a key strategic investment area in Uganda’s Third National Development Plan (NDP III), with the goal of increasing household incomes and enhancing the quality of life for its citizens. To achieve this target, the Ministry plans to increase inbound tourism revenues per visitor from US $1,052 to US $1,500, attracting more tourists from the U.S.A, Europe, the Middle East, China, and Japan.
They also aim to expand direct flight routes to Europe and Asia from 6 to 15 to attract 2.1 million tourists by 2025. Tom Butime, the Minister of Tourism, stated that the government is identifying 735 kilometers of tourism roads to be paved, including those leading to cultural heritage sites. This infrastructure development is intended to enhance accessibility to these attractions.
In 2022, Uganda experienced a significant increase in tourist arrivals, with 512,945 visitors, up 58.8% from the previous year. The sector’s revenue also saw substantial growth, reaching USD 736 million, approximately 2.7 trillion Ugandan Shillings, compared to USD 1.88 trillion in 2021. The tourism sector currently employs over 500,000 people, with projections to reach 667,600 employees by 2025.
Uganda’s unique and diverse natural landscapes, including national parks, wildlife reserves, community wildlife management areas, and wildlife sanctuaries, continue to attract tourists from around the world. The Ministry’s efforts are aligned with its commitment to boosting tourism and contributing to the country’s economic growth and development.
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