Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife & Antiquities
Serving Uganda's Tourism
and Heritage Sector
The Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities is Uganda's lead government institution for promoting sustainable tourism, conserving wildlife, and preserving the nation's cultural and natural heritage for present and future generations.
mountain gorillas
live in Uganda
Our Mandate
Promoting, Developing & Regulating Uganda's Tourism Sector
Legal Basis
Established under the Uganda Tourism Act and subsequently the Uganda Wildlife Act, the Ministry is mandated to develop, promote and regulate tourism, wildlife conservation, and cultural heritage in Uganda in line with national development priorities.
As the apex government institution for Uganda's tourism, wildlife, and antiquities sectors, the Ministry sets policy direction, coordinates stakeholder engagement, facilitates investment, and ensures that Uganda's extraordinary natural and cultural assets are developed responsibly and sustainably.
The Ministry exercises oversight over affiliated institutions including the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB), Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), Uganda Museum, and other cultural and heritage bodies — coordinating their activities to maximise Uganda's positioning as a world-class destination.
Guiding Principles
Vision, Mission & Core Values
The principles and aspirations that guide the Ministry's work and culture
Our Vision
A Transformed, Sustainable Tourism Sector that Contributes to Uganda's Prosperity
We envision Uganda as a premier tourism destination in Africa — a country where the conservation of wildlife and natural heritage drives economic transformation, cultural pride, and improved livelihoods for all Ugandans.
Our Mission
To Promote, Develop and Regulate Uganda's Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities Sectors for Sustainable Economic Growth
We achieve this through evidence-based policy formulation, strategic regulation, inclusive stakeholder engagement, investment facilitation, and the promotion of Uganda's natural, wildlife, and cultural assets on the world stage.
Integrity
Upholding transparency, accountability, and ethical conduct in all our operations and decision-making.
Collaboration
Partnering with stakeholders across government, the private sector, communities, and international partners for shared outcomes.
Sustainability
Ensuring our work protects Uganda's heritage and natural endowments for the benefit of future generations.
Innovation
Embracing technology, digital transformation, and creative approaches to deliver public services and grow the sector.
Excellence
Maintaining high professional standards in service delivery and institutional performance.
Inclusivity
Ensuring tourism development benefits all Ugandans equitably — across regions, gender, and generations.
Organisational Structure
How We Are Organised
The Ministry operates through specialised departments and affiliated institutions to deliver on its broad mandate effectively.
Our Top Leadership
The People Guiding the Ministry
Minister of Tourism, Wildlife & Antiquities
Hon. Col. Tom R. Butime
Appointed by H.E. President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, Hon. Col. Butime leads the Ministry's mission to transform Uganda's tourism sector and preserve its natural and cultural heritage for sustainable national development.
Read Profile →State Minister for Tourism
Hon. Susan Nsambu Nakawuki
The State Minister supports the Minister in overseeing Uganda's tourism promotion programmes, stakeholder engagement, and the implementation of sector policy with a focus on sustainable and inclusive tourism development.
Read Profile →Permanent Secretary
Doreen S. Katusiime (Mrs)
The Permanent Secretary is the Accounting Officer of the Ministry — responsible for day-to-day administration, financial management, and ensuring the effective delivery of the Ministry's strategic mandate and programmes.
Read Profile →Strategic Direction
Five Strategic Objectives for 2025–2030
The Ministry's work is guided by five strategic objectives drawn from the MTWA Strategic Plan 2025/26–2029/30 and aligned to Uganda's National Development Plan IV and Vision 2040.
Each objective targets a critical pillar of Uganda's tourism, wildlife, and antiquities landscape — from product development to institutional strengthening and digital transformation.
Current Strategic Plan
MTWA ICT Strategic Plan & Development Framework
FY 2025/26 – 2029/30
Tourism Development
Enhance Uganda as a Preferred Tourism Destination
Develop and diversify Uganda's tourism product, grow international and domestic arrivals, and strengthen the country's brand positioning in key source markets globally.
Wildlife Conservation
Promote Sustainable Wildlife Conservation and Management
Ensure Uganda's wildlife resources are conserved sustainably, combat wildlife crime, strengthen CITES compliance, and leverage conservation for community benefit and tourism revenue.
Heritage & Culture
Preserve and Promote Uganda's Cultural Heritage and Antiquities
Protect Uganda's museum collections, monuments, and intangible cultural heritage; digitise records; develop cultural tourism products; and strengthen the national museum network.
Digital Transformation
Drive Digital Innovation Across the Tourism Sector
Deploy e-licensing, integrated data management, and digital platforms to modernise regulatory services, improve data-driven decision-making, and enhance the visitor experience.
Institutional Effectiveness
Strengthen Institutional Capacity and Governance
Build a high-performing Ministry through staff development, performance management, transparent governance, strategic partnerships, and robust financial and administrative systems.
Gorillas in Uganda
Recorded
Protected
Managed
Revenue
Our Ecosystem
Affiliated & Partner Institutions
The Ministry works alongside a network of affiliated government agencies, statutory bodies, and international partners to deliver on its mandate.
Uganda Tourism Board
National tourism promotion body responsible for marketing Uganda domestically and internationally.
Affiliated AgencyUganda Wildlife Authority
Statutory body responsible for managing Uganda's protected areas and wildlife conservation.
Affiliated AgencyHotel & Tourism Training College
Developing hospitality and tourism professionals through accredited training in hotel management, culinary arts, and tour guiding.
Affiliated InstitutionUganda Wildlife Research and Training College
Developing skilled professionals who drive wildlife conservation through knowledge, research, and innovation.
Affiliated InstitutionNational Information Technology Authority
Government ICT regulatory body supporting the Ministry's digital transformation programme.
Strategic PartnerUganda Bureau of Statistics
National statistics agency providing tourism data, visitor surveys, and economic impact research.
Data PartnerUganda Revenue Authority
Revenue collection body coordinating the tourism levy, licensing fees, and CITES permit charges.
Revenue PartnerCITES Secretariat
International body governing trade in wild fauna and flora — Uganda is a party to the Convention.
International PartnerOur Journey
A History of Stewardship
Key milestones in the Ministry's evolution as Uganda's lead institution for tourism, wildlife and cultural heritage.
1962
Independence Era Tourism
Uganda's tourism administration formally established following independence, building on colonial-era structures to promote the country's national parks and wildlife.
1986
Restoration & Rebuild
Following Uganda's turbulent period, the Ministry began the systematic restoration of wildlife populations and tourism infrastructure under the National Resistance Movement government.
2008
Uganda Tourism Act Enacted
The Uganda Tourism Act (2008) established the modern legal framework for tourism regulation, the Uganda Tourism Board, and the licensing of tourism enterprises.
2012
MTWA Established
The Ministry was restructured and renamed the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities (MTWA), consolidating tourism, wildlife conservation, and cultural heritage under one institutional roof.
2021
Digital Transformation Drive
Launch of the CITES e-Permitting system and the Tourism Information Management System (TIMS), marking the Ministry's commitment to digital service delivery and data-driven governance.
2026
Tourism Amendment Act & PIM-PLUS
The Uganda Tourism Amendment Act 2026 modernises the regulatory framework, while the $20M World Bank PIM-PLUS programme delivers transformative infrastructure investment across key destinations.