MTWA strives to make Uganda among the top three MICE destinations in Africa
World Business Journal talks to Hon. Martin Mugarra Bahinduka, Minister of State for Tourism, Wildlife, and Antiquities, about infrastructure investments made in the tourism sector, the impact of the “Explore Uganda’ campaign on tourism promotion, and the importance of MICE events in enhancing the country’s profile in global tourism.
What progress has been made under the Tourism Development Programme?
Notable projects include new road developments and the expansion of Uganda Airlines’ routes to international destinations, including India, China, and the UK. Upgrades at Entebbe Airport are ongoing, with Kabalega International Airport nearing completion. In 2024, the government embarked on the development of Kidepo Airport, and the procurement of the contractor is in the final stages. These developments are improving access to destinations and fostering economic growth in the tourism sector.
Key tourist attractions are being developed, including the Source of the Nile, which will feature a modern pier for 19 boats, a restaurant, a glass bridge, and a viewing deck. At the Rwenzori Mountains, we have constructed and handed over the newly built Elena Camp, located 4,500 meters above sea level, designed to enhance both comfort and safety for mountaineers. The camp has a bed capacity of 34 for tourists and 36 for support staff, ensuring ample space for large trekking groups.
The Uganda Hotel and Tourism Training Institute (UHTTI) has been upgraded with expanded training infrastructure and facilities. With over $12M in funding from the World Bank, a three-star training hotel with 80 rooms has been constructed, along with classrooms, labs, and an administration block. This intervention aims to cultivate skilled personnel for the hospitality industry.
In Kasese, the Uganda Wildlife Research and Training Institute (UWRTI) has received $4.5M from the Competitiveness and Enterprise Development Project (CEDP) to upgrade the infrastructure and develop advanced laboratories for anatomy, biology, and parasitology.
What impact has the “Explore Uganda” campaign had since its launch last year?
Since its launch, the “Explore Uganda” campaign has significantly boosted tourism, increasing the average tourist stay from 7 to 8 days and raising per-visitor spending to $1,550. We anticipate international arrivals will exceed 1.5M in 2025.
Unified marketing efforts, including support from our embassies, have strengthened the campaign’s impact, streamlined promotional activities, and secured additional resources for future improvements.
How are international MICE events enhancing Uganda’s profile in global tourism?
Despite limited leisure time, nearly 50% of conference attendees return at least once, demonstrating strong visitor retention. The ongoing improvement of conference infrastructure has significantly bolstered this sector, with discussions currently underway regarding the development of a new venue in Entebbe. Under our National MICE Strategy 2025/30, we aim to attract $250M to the economy. Uganda currently ranks seventh among MICE destinations in Africa, and we aspire to elevate this ranking to the top three within the next two years.
What is the growth outlook for domestic tourism?
Domestic tourism is on the rise, with nearly 1.3M Ugandans expected to travel in 2025, approaching the number of foreign visitors, which is around 1.36M. To further boost domestic tourism, entry fees for Ugandans are set at approximately $6.80 for national parks and $81 for gorilla trekking, compared to $40 and $800 for foreign visitors.
