Finance Minister Hon. Henry Musasizi has called for deliberate, coordinated action to unlock Uganda’s full tourism potential and sharply increase the sector’s contribution to the national economy.
Speaking while officiating at the 4th Annual Tourism Development Programme Review Conference at Imperial Royale Hotel in Kampala, the Finance Minister announced that the Government is targeting US$5 billion in annual tourism receipts by 2030.
Achieving this ambitious goal, he emphasised, will require more than simply growing visitor numbers.
Uganda must also extend average length of stay and deliberately attract high-value travellers who spend more during their visits.
Strong 2025 Performance Sets the Foundation
According to the latest Tourism Development Programme Annual Performance Report for Financial Year 2025/26, Uganda welcomed 1.64 million international tourists in 2025, up from 1.37 million in 2024.
Tourism receipts rose by 21.3% to UGX 5.83 trillion (approximately US$1.62 billion). Growth was driven by higher visitor spending and slightly longer stays.
Key indicators of the Strong Performance include:
- Average length of stay: rose from 8.7 nights in 2024 to 8.8 nights in 2025
- Average expenditure per trip: increased to US$986 from US$933 in 2024
The tourism sector currently supports 876,512 direct jobs, equivalent to 7.5% of Uganda’s total employment, according to the Tourism Satellite Account.
Tourism continues to deliver foreign exchange, create employment, redistribute income to rural areas, and provide a compelling economic reason to protect Uganda’s natural and cultural heritage.
Government’s Enabling Role and Call for Partnerships
Minister Musasizi underscored that Government’s primary responsibility is to create an enabling environment for private-sector investment.
This includes expanding tourism facilities, raising standards, and attracting foreign direct investment through partnerships and joint ventures.
He specifically called for stronger public-private partnerships to convert opportunities into bankable projects across:
- Hotels and conference facilities
- Eco-tourism
- Cultural and heritage tourism
- Faith-based tourism
- Agro-tourism
- Sports, wellness, adventure, creative and entertainment tourism
Government will continue investing in tourism infrastructure, destination marketing, product development, conservation, specialised skills development and digital transformation, while improving the overall business and investment climate.
Affordable financing, fiscal incentives and economic diplomacy will also play key roles in promoting Uganda in international markets.
“Tourism is a source of high economic growth, earns the country significant foreign exchange, creates jobs for Ugandans, redistributes income to rural areas, and gives us a compelling reason to protect our nature,” Musasizi said.
He urged all stakeholders to deliberately discover, develop, package, market and sustainably manage Uganda’s tourism assets so that the sector benefits communities while earning foreign exchange.
Why This Matters for Responsible Tourism
Uganda’s push toward US$5 billion in receipts by 2030 aligns closely with responsible tourism principles:
- Longer stays reduce the environmental footprint per visitor
- High-value tourism supports better wages and community benefits
- Continued investment in conservation ensures that wildlife, forests and cultural heritage remain the foundation of the product.
Public-private partnerships and community-focused product development are essential if growth is to remain inclusive and sustainable.
Plan Your Responsible Journey with Us
At Responsible Tourism Company we design authentic, community-centred and conservation-minded experiences across Uganda.
Whether you are looking for gorilla and chimpanzee tracking, cultural immersions, agro-tourism, wellness retreats or multi-day safaris that maximise length of stay and local impact, our team helps you travel in a way that supports the very goals outlined by Government, longer stays, higher value and lasting benefits for people and nature.
Ready to experience Uganda the responsible way?
Contact us at Responsible Tourism Company today to plan your next trip, partner on sustainable tourism projects, or learn how your visit can contribute to Uganda’s tourism transformation.
Visit our website or reach out for a custom itinerary that aligns with the future of Uganda tourism.