The Ugandan government has abolished the mandatory requirement for travelers to present Yellow Fever Vaccination Cards upon entry into the country. This new policy, effective immediately, applies to all travelers, including tourists and visitors arriving through airports, harbors, and inland border posts. The move is seen as a strategic effort to revitalize and boost Uganda's tourism sector, which has been a significant contributor to the country's economy.
According to Uganda's Finance Minister, Henry Musasizi, the government has set an ambitious target of achieving US$5 billion in annual tourism receipts by 2030. To realize this goal, the minister emphasized that Uganda must focus not only on increasing visitor numbers but also on encouraging longer tourist stays and attracting high-value visitors. This approach aims to enhance the sector's contribution to the economy, with tourism currently accounting for 3.3% of Uganda's GDP.
The tourism sector in Uganda has shown promising growth in recent years. In 2025, the country received 1.64 million international tourists, marking a 19.7% increase from 1.37 million in 2024. Tourism receipts also saw a significant rise, increasing by 21.3% to Sh5.83 trillion (US$1.62 billion). This growth was driven by higher visitor spending and longer stays, with the average length of stay rising from 8.7 nights in 2024 to 8.8 nights in 2025.
The positive trend in Uganda's tourism sector has continued into 2026. Between January and June 2026, the country recorded 793,815 international visitors, representing a 3.7% increase from the same period in 2025. During this period, tourism expenditure reached approximately Shs 2.30 trillion (US$631 million), a 25.6% increase compared to the same period in 2025. The average length of stay also increased from 7.4 to 8.3 nights.
Minister Musasizi emphasized the importance of public-private partnerships in developing Uganda's tourism sector. He called for stronger collaborations to turn tourism opportunities into viable and bankable investments across various segments, including hotels, eco-tourism, cultural tourism, and digital tourism products. The sector currently generates 876,512 jobs, equivalent to 7.5% of Uganda's total employment.
The Ugandan government has been investing in tourism infrastructure, destination marketing, and product development to support the sector's growth. Minister Musasizi highlighted the government's efforts to create an enabling environment for private sector investment, improve standards, and attract foreign direct investment through partnerships and joint ventures. The government also plans to provide affordable financing and fiscal incentives for investors.
State Minister of Tourism, Susan Nakawuki, commended the government's efforts in tourism marketing, infrastructure development, and product diversification, noting the expansion of Uganda's visibility on international markets. However, she called for more investment in tourism infrastructure, stronger marketing and promotion, and improved skills for people working in the sector to sustainably manage Uganda's tourism assets and ensure the sector creates jobs and benefits local communities.
Key points
- Uganda removes mandatory yellow fever vaccination card requirement for travelers to boost tourism sector
- The country aims to achieve US$5 billion in annual tourism receipts by 2030
- Uganda's tourism sector has shown significant growth, with 1.64 million international tourists in 2025 and a 25.6% increase in tourism expenditure in 2026.
