During the Manifesto Week 2024, the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife, and Antiquities showcased major achievements in Uganda’s tourism industry. Rtd. Col. Tom Butime, the minister in charge, delivered a speech on November 20, 2024, outlining the successes in promoting tourism and conserving wildlife and cultural heritage sites.
The Manifesto Accountability Week, which is running from November 15 to December 5, 2024, took place at the Office of the President’s conference hall. Butime highlighted several key areas of development in the tourism sector:
- Infrastructure Development: The ministry has opened new regional museums in Soroti and started projects in Fort Portal and Arua. These improvements aim to enhance cultural tourism across the country.
- Tourism Promotion: The “Explorer Uganda” campaign has gained international acclaim, winning three film awards. This recognition helped feature Uganda on CNN as a top African destination in 2023.
- 3. Wildlife Conservation Partnerships: The ministry has signed an agreement with the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Uganda to bolster wildlife conservation efforts.
The ministry also introduced regulations to support sustainable tourism and wildlife management, leading to increased tourism revenue and benefits for local communities.
The tourism industry has significantly contributed to Uganda’s economy. In 2023, the country welcomed 1.286 million international tourists, generating about USD 1.4 billion. Total export revenues also rose to 1.6 trillion Ugandan shillings, marking a 95% increase. Overall, tourism contributed over 5.6 trillion Ugandan shillings to the economy, supporting foreign currency reserves and improving the balance of trade.
“Thanks to the full reopening of major tourism markets in Europe, North America, Asia, China, Japan, and Africa, the future for Uganda’s tourism looks bright,” said Butime. He expressed optimism that these developments would help achieve the goals outlined in the 2024 manifesto.
In terms of job creation, the tourism sector has generated over 536,000 jobs, both directly and indirectly, improving the living standards for many Ugandans.
Despite challenges such as limited internet access at some tourist sites, Uganda’s tourism sector showed remarkable resilience in 2023. Tourist arrivals soared by 56.4%, increasing from 814,508 in 2022 to 1,274,210 in 2023, with positive performance across all markets.