The National Organizing Committee for the 5th Uganda-Kenya Coast Tourism & Innovation Summit held a key planning meeting this week at the Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSF Uganda) headquarters.
The high-level session, which took place amid growing momentum for stronger regional tourism ties, was led by Uganda’s Consul General in Mombasa, Amb. Herbert Kiguli.
Stakeholders gathered to finalize preparations for the summit, scheduled for 26th-27th October 2026 in Mombasa, Kenya.
Theme and Focus of the 2026 Summit
The event will be held under the theme: “Unlocking Tourism Opportunities: Resolving Policy Bottlenecks Through Technology, Youth, and Seamless Mobility Across East Africa.”
This theme reflects the current priorities of the East African tourism sector. Organizers aim to address longstanding policy and regulatory challenges that hinder the free movement of tourists, operators, and services between Uganda and Kenya.
Particular emphasis will be placed on harnessing technology, empowering young innovators, and creating smoother cross-border mobility frameworks.
The summit builds on previous editions of the Uganda-Kenya Coast Tourism platform, which has steadily grown as a platform for dialogue between government officials, private sector players, destination marketers, and innovation stakeholders from both countries.
Key Discussions at the Planning Meeting
Participants reviewed progress on organizational logistics, stakeholder engagement strategies, and content programming for the October 2026 event.
Discussions centered on practical solutions that can deliver tangible benefits for the tourism value chain, including coastal destinations in Kenya and complementary tourism products in Uganda.
Images from the meeting show a formal boardroom setting with committee members engaged in detailed deliberations, reviewing documents, and coordinating next steps under Amb. Kiguli’s leadership. The session was hosted in collaboration with relevant Ugandan institutions supporting the initiative.
Why This Summit Matters for East African Tourism
Uganda and Kenya share strong historical, cultural, and economic links, yet tourism cooperation still faces barriers related to visas, transport connectivity, marketing coordination, and policy alignment.
By focusing on technology-driven solutions, youth participation, and seamless mobility, the 2026 summit seeks to unlock new opportunities for:
- Joint marketing of multi-destination itineraries
- Greater involvement of young entrepreneurs and innovators in the tourism ecosystem
- Improved ease of travel for regional and international visitors
- Stronger private-sector collaboration along the Uganda–Kenya tourism corridor
For travelers, successful outcomes from such forums can translate into more integrated experiences, combining Uganda’s wildlife and cultural offerings with Kenya’s renowned coastal attractions, under smoother, more traveler-friendly conditions.
Looking Ahead to Mombasa 2026
As preparations continue, the National Organizing Committee is expected to intensify outreach to industry partners, technology providers, youth organizations, and policymakers.
The October summit in Mombasa is positioned to serve as a practical working platform rather than a purely ceremonial gathering, with the goal of producing actionable recommendations for regional tourism growth.
The event underscores the ongoing commitment of both Ugandan and Kenyan stakeholders to deepen collaboration and position the East African region as a competitive, innovative, and accessible tourism destination.
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