Uganda Charts New Course for Tourism Growth as Government, Investors Unite

Kampala, August 22, 2025 – Uganda’s tourism industry is set for a major transformation following the first-ever Top Tourism Investment Roundtable held at Speke Resort Munyonyo. The high-level dialogue, organized by the Presidential CEO Forum (PCF) in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities (MTWA), brought together senior government officials, private sector leaders, investors, and development partners.

Speaking on behalf of the State Minister for Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Dr. Basil Ajer, Director of Tourism, highlighted the sector’s strong investment potential.

“If we are to position Uganda competitively, we must activate the entire tourism value chain,” he said, noting that the sector delivers 14% return on investment and 20–25% return on equity.

Dr. Joseph Muvawala, Executive Director of the National Planning Authority, described the dialogue as a “turning point” for Uganda’s economy. He emphasized the need for tourism to become more private-sector driven, challenging stakeholders to scale the industry tenfold within 15 years.

Private sector representatives raised concerns about infrastructure gaps, underfunded marketing, inaccurate tourism data, and bureaucratic bottlenecks. They called for reforms in tax regimes, stronger international branding of the “Explore Uganda” campaign, and expanded partnerships with airlines and global travel platforms.

Among the investors in attendance were Marrasa Group, Ruparelia Group, Volcanoes Safaris, Satguru Travel and Tourism, and Wild Places. Key government agencies, including the Uganda Tourism Board, Uganda Wildlife Authority, and Ministry of Finance, also participated.

The meeting set the stage for the 6th Bi-Annual Private Sector Retreat in Fort Portal, where commitments will be refined into concrete actions aimed at making tourism a leading driver of Uganda’s economic growth.