The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) has accused the government of neglecting the tourism sector, saying inadequate funding and poor infrastructure are undermining one of Uganda’s major sources of foreign exchange and employment. Tourism contributes about 9% of Uganda’s GDP and is a major employer of the country's youth.
According to FDC's Deputy Secretary for Publicity, Publication and Documentation, Mulindwa Walid Lubega, the government's World Tourism Day celebrations failed to address the deeper challenges facing the sector. In the 2025/26 financial year, the sector received only Shs430 billion in direct funding out of a national budget of over Shs72 trillion.
Lubega stated that the allocation amounted to less than one percent of the national budget despite the sector's significant contribution to the economy. He cited the government's own tourism sector performance reports, which show years where planned funding under the National Development Plan III was never released in full.
The FDC also criticised the state of roads leading to major tourist attractions, particularly Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, one of Uganda's key destinations for international tourists. Lubega said the infrastructure to support tourism remains neglected, with access roads to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in deplorable condition.
Lubega further accused the government of allowing negative developments to damage Uganda's international tourism image, citing reports of abductions and travel restrictions imposed during the 2026 Ebola outbreak. He said the country needed to address both investment and image-related challenges if tourism is to play a greater role in national development.
The FDC is calling for increased government funding for tourism, improved roads to major tourist destinations, and measures to restore Uganda's international image. Lubega said the party wants tourism to become a central pillar of its development agenda, believing a well-funded, well-managed, and well-marketed tourism sector can transform local economies, create jobs, and finance development.
Lubega called on the government to treat tourism as an economic priority rather than a promotional opportunity. He said tourism can work for Uganda, but only if the government stops treating it as a photo opportunity and starts treating it as an economic priority.
Key points
- The FDC accuses the government of neglecting the tourism sector with inadequate funding and poor infrastructure.
- Tourism contributes about 9% of Uganda's GDP and is a major employer of the country's youth.
- The FDC is calling for increased government funding for tourism, improved roads, and measures to restore Uganda's international image.
