PERMANENT SECRETARY DOREEN KATUSIIME TOUTS TOURISM AS STRATEGIC EXPORT SECTOR DURING IMF ARTICLE IV CONSULTATIONS

Far Right: PERMANENT SECRETARY DOREEN KATUSIIME

The Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities has today (27th/04/2026) hosted a high-level delegation from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as part of the Fund’s ongoing Article IV Mission to Uganda, in a meeting that highlighted tourism’s increasing role in Uganda’s macroeconomic growth, resilience and long-term transformation

agenda.

Held at the Ministry’s Executive Boardroom and chaired by Permanent Secretary Mrs. Doreen S. Katusiime, the engagement brought together officials from all departments under the Ministry, including Tourism Development, Wildlife Conservation, Museums and Monuments and Finance and Administration.

Discussions focused on recent sector developments and outlook, tourism’s contribution to Uganda’s Tenfold Growth Strategy, major structural challenges and key reforms needed to unlock the sector’s full potential.

In her opening remarks, PS Katusiime welcomed the IMF’s recognition of tourism as a strategic economic sector deserving inclusion in Uganda’s broader fiscal, monetary and exchange rate assessment. She noted that Government’s shift from sector-based planning to a programme approach under the National Development Plan IV places tourism among the priority drivers of wealth creation and inclusive growth.

She emphasized that tourism remains central to job creation, foreign exchange earnings, investment promotion, heritage conservation and social inclusion. Beyond direct revenues, she said, the sector stimulates multiple industries through strong backward and forward linkages in transport, agriculture, manufacturing, construction, arts and hospitality.

“Tourism is a unifying force that brings together people from different backgrounds while promoting sustainability, national values, gender inclusion and balanced regional development,” the PS added.

Third from the Left: Senior Statistician Mr. Ojok Denis

Presenting the Ministry’s technical outlook, Senior Statistician Mr. Denis Ojok reported that Uganda’s tourism sector has made a full post-pandemic recovery and continues on a strong growth trajectory. In 2025, Uganda registered 1.64 million international tourist arrivals, reflecting a 19.7 percent year-on-year increase, while tourism receipts rose by 21.3 percent to USD 1.62 billion (UGX 5.83 trillion). The sector has now surpassed pre-pandemic performance, operating at 106 percent recovery levels.

Tourism currently accounts for 57.2 percent of Uganda’s total service exports, directly supports 876,512 jobs and contributed UGX 5.77 trillion to Gross Fixed Capital Formation, demonstrating its growing role in infrastructure and hospitality investment.

Responding to questions from the IMF delegation led by the mission chief for Uganda Jesmin Rahman, Ministry officials explained that the Tenfold Growth aspiration is anchored on sustained investment in enabling infrastructure, stronger regional tourism integration, product diversification and increasing high-value leisure visitors from overseas markets. Officials also outlined measures to mitigate external shocks, including regional instability, while strengthening access to financing through Uganda Development Bank and Uganda Development Corporation. A proposed tourism levy is also under consideration to support sustainable sector financing.

The meeting reaffirmed tourism’s strategic importance as a leading export sector and a critical engine for Uganda’s ambition to grow its economy tenfold over the next fifteen years.