With over 370,000 Kenyans visiting Uganda for various reasons in 2022, Kenya is Uganda’s top source of tourism, and Uganda is Kenya’s second-biggest market after the United States, with over 150,000 Ugandans visiting Kenya annually.
The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs in Charge of Regional Affairs, John Mulimba, said at the media launch of the 2nd Uganda-Kenya Coast Tourism Conference on August 22, 2023, that tourism between the two countries is growing due to the use of national identities and Uganda airlines.
“The increasing number of tourists has been aided by the improved air connection between Entebbe and Mombasa, with Uganda Airlines operating three weekly flights, and travel by road has improved due to the usage of national identity cards,” Mulimba said.
The media launch was held ahead of the 2nd Uganda-Kenya Coast Tourism Conference which will be held from November 13–14, 2023, at Neptune Paradise Beach Resort and Spa in Kenya.
He noted that tourism forms a significant part of Uganda’s economy, stating that it contributes more than 7 percent of the national gross domestic product (GDP), and it employs a significant number of people, both directly and indirectly, ranging from the government, private sector, education tourism, and leisure.
“The increasing interest is due to various events that take place in Uganda, such as golf, rugby tournaments, music festivals, and Uganda martyrs, to mention but a few,” Mulimba said.
Uganda possesses unique tourism products that can be marketed across the world, and ministries and missions abroad are encouraged to incorporate tourism into their strategic plans.
