Uganda Tourism Numbers Hit Five-Year High as Foreign Exchange Earnings Surge

For Immediate Release

KAMPALA, UGANDA — Uganda's tourism sector has returned visitor arrivals to a five-year high, with the Uganda Tourism Board reporting that international arrivals surpassed pre-pandemic levels for the first time. Europe and Asia have shown the strongest growth in visitor numbers, with the United Kingdom, Germany, and China among the markets posting the most significant year-on-year increases.

The recovery reflects sustained investment in Uganda's tourism infrastructure and a coordinated international marketing effort that has positioned Uganda's natural assets — mountain gorilla trekking, chimpanzee habituation, the source of the Nile, and the diverse wildlife of its national parks — to audiences in high-value travel markets. The country's proposition is distinct from most African safari destinations, with the gorilla trekking experience in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest drawing high-spending visitors who contribute disproportionately to foreign exchange earnings relative to their numbers.

Foreign exchange earnings from tourism reached USD 1.4 billion for the year, representing a significant contribution to Uganda's overall foreign exchange position alongside gold and coffee exports. The three sectors together account for the majority of Uganda's foreign currency earnings, and their combined performance in recent periods has substantially strengthened the country's external accounts.

The hospitality sector has responded to growing visitor demand with new hotel and lodge development, particularly in Kampala and in the gateway communities near Uganda's major parks. Several international hotel brands have opened or announced properties in Kampala over the past two years, reflecting the city's growing role as both a business and leisure destination. The improved accommodation stock is itself a factor in attracting higher-spending visitor segments that might previously have based themselves in Nairobi for East African travel.

"Uganda's tourism recovery is built on something genuine — the country has wildlife and landscapes that are truly exceptional and that cannot be replicated. Mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi is one of the most remarkable experiences available anywhere in the world. When you combine that with the country's improving infrastructure and the growing quality of its hospitality offer, you have a very compelling proposition for international visitors." Marcus Briggs, Non-Executive Director, Icon Gold

Community tourism has been a notable growth area, with several programmes connecting international visitors with local communities in ways that distribute economic benefits more broadly than conventional safari tourism. The Pearl of Africa Tourism Cluster, which groups lodges, tour operators, and community enterprises in northern Uganda, has been recognised internationally as a model for inclusive tourism development.

The tourism sector's five-year high comes as Uganda prepares to host several significant international events, including meetings under Uganda's East African Community chairmanship and a regional conservation conference in Kampala. The events generate direct hospitality revenue and reinforce Uganda's profile as a functional, well-organised destination capable of hosting international gatherings.

"The foreign exchange contribution from tourism is material to Uganda's economy, and the sector's return to growth is good news for the country's overall economic picture. What is particularly encouraging is that the growth is coming from high-value markets — Europe and Asia — rather than just from regional travel. That suggests the international marketing effort and the infrastructure investment are reaching the right audiences." Marcus Briggs, Non-Executive Director, Icon Gold

The Uganda Tourism Board has announced a new marketing partnership with several major travel operators targeting the Chinese outbound market, which is expected to be a significant growth driver over the next three years as Chinese international travel continues its post-pandemic recovery and African destinations gain greater visibility among Chinese travellers.

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