The Ugandan government has set an ambitious target to increase tourism receipts to $5 billion by 2030. Finance Minister Henry Musasizi stated that achieving this goal will require a strategic approach beyond merely increasing tourist numbers. This includes encouraging visitors to stay longer and attracting high-spending travelers. Tourism is a high-priority sector due to its potential to generate foreign exchange, create jobs, and distribute income to communities outside major urban centers.
According to the Tourism Development Programme Annual Performance Report for the financial year 2025/26, Uganda received 1.64 million international tourists in 2025, up from 1.37 million in 2024. This represents a significant increase in tourism receipts, which rose by 21.3 percent to 5.83 trillion shillings, equivalent to about $1.62 billion. The increase was attributed to higher visitor spending and longer stays, with the average length of stay increasing marginally from 8.7 nights in 2024 to 8.8 nights in 2025.
The average expenditure per tourist also rose from $933 to $986 in 2025. Despite this growth, Uganda would need to more than triple its tourism earnings within four years to reach the $5 billion target set for 2030. Musasizi emphasized that this will require deliberate efforts to develop and market a wider range of tourism products, while creating an environment that allows private investors to expand accommodation, conference facilities, and other tourism infrastructure.
To achieve the target, Musasizi called for stronger public-private partnerships to turn opportunities in eco-tourism, cultural and heritage tourism, faith-based tourism, agro-tourism, sports, wellness, adventure, creative, and entertainment tourism into viable investments. He highlighted that tourism is a source of high economic growth, earns significant foreign exchange, creates jobs for Ugandans, redistributes income to rural areas, and provides a compelling reason to protect Uganda's nature.
The government plans to continue investing in tourism infrastructure, destination marketing, product development, conservation, specialized skills, and digital transformation, while improving the business and investment environment. Musasizi also pointed to affordable financing, fiscal incentives, and economic and commercial diplomacy as measures that could help attract investment and promote Uganda as a tourism destination in international markets.
The tourism sector currently directly generates 876,512 jobs, equivalent to 7.5 percent of Uganda's total employment, according to the Tourism Satellite Account. State Minister for Tourism Susan Nakawuki noted that government efforts in tourism marketing, infrastructure development, and product diversification are beginning to improve Uganda's visibility on international markets. This includes collaboration with Uganda's diplomatic missions abroad and local governments to promote the country as a tourism destination.
Nakawuki also highlighted several infrastructure developments, including the construction of over 280 kilometers of tourism roads, expansion of Entebbe International Airport, development of Kabalega International Airport, and the commencement of Kidepo International Airport. The ministers emphasized that the expansion of tourism should ultimately translate into more jobs, increased foreign exchange earnings, and greater economic benefits for communities that host Uganda's tourism assets.
Key points
- The Ugandan government aims to increase tourism receipts to $5 billion by 2030.
- Uganda received 1.64 million international tourists in 2025, with tourism receipts rising to $1.62 billion.
- The government is promoting public-private partnerships to develop tourism products and infrastructure.
