EU–UTA and Growth Companions Unite to Champion Sustainable Tourism in Uganda

On July 21st, the Uganda Tourism Association (UTA), in collaboration with a broad coalition of international development partners, held a high-level hybrid meeting to address the pressing challenges and unlock the vast potential of Uganda’s tourism sector. The session, hosted and coordinated by EU’s Head of Programs, Mr. Louis Lechighero, brought together over 20 global partners, including the World Bank, International Trade Centre (ITC), ENABEL, UNESCO, UNCDF, TradeMark Africa, and CBI, among others.

The dialogue provided a platform to assess the current state of the sector and explore sustainable, long-term solutions that align with global best practices. Key challenges identified included:-

👉🏼 Policy and taxation gaps
👉🏼 Inadequate infrastructure
👉🏼 Limited access to affordable financing
👉🏼 Gaps in human capital and capacity development
👉🏼 Underdeveloped and narrowly focused tourism products
👉🏼 Insufficient international marketing of Destination Uganda
👉🏼 A restrictive and inefficient visa application system

The meeting recognized the vital role of UTA, under the leadership of Mrs. Yogi Biriggwa, in galvanizing sector-wide coordination. The recent launch of the Tourism Working Group (TWG) was applauded as a pivotal milestone in fostering collective reform and sustainable growth.

Development partners reaffirmed their commitment to working alongside UTA and the Government of Uganda to support initiatives that promote inclusive, environmentally conscious, and community-driven tourism. The consensus was clear: achieving a resilient and competitive tourism sector demands sustained collaboration, public-private partnerships, and a firm commitment to sustainability.

The meeting outlined a series of priority interventions, with sustainability at the core:-

1. Promotion of sustainable tourism and ecotourism practices to protect biodiversity, support local communities, and ensure long-term sector resilience
2. Expanding access to tourism financing, especially for small and community-based enterprises
3. Elevating Uganda’s global visibility as a premier, eco-conscious travel destination
4. Investing in green and climate-resilient infrastructure, including roads and regional aerodromes
5. Improving the business and regulatory environment to encourage responsible investment
6. Driving innovation and diversification of tourism products to appeal to niche and nature-based markets
7. Promoting new and emerging tourism circuits with sustainable tourism potential, including:
   a) Elgon–Sipi–Karamoja
   b) Kabarole–Rwenzori–Queen Elizabeth National Park (QENP)
   c) Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area
   d) Albertine Rift Region
   e) Kisoro–Lake Bunyonyi–Bwindi
8. Accelerating digitisation of the tourism sector to enhance access, transparency, and efficiency

This landmark meeting marks a new era of multi-stakeholder cooperation to position Uganda as a model for sustainable tourism in Africa, driving inclusive economic growth while safeguarding its natural and cultural heritage for future generations.