TOURISM PROGRAMME BREAKS INTO TOP THREE, AS GOVERNMENT COMMITS TO RESULTS-DRIVEN GROWTH AGENDA

The Tourism Development Programme has emerged among Uganda’s top three performing government programmes, registering a performance score of 60.76% in the Financial Year 2024/25, according to results presented at the National Annual Performance Review Conference held at Speke Resort Convention Centre, Munyonyo.

The ranking places tourism third behind Sustainable Development of Petroleum Resources (64.88%) and Administration of Justice (63.73%), underscoring the sector’s growing contribution to national development and economic transformation.

Presenting the Ministry’s response on behalf of the Minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Hon. Tom Butime, State Minister Martin Mugarra highlighted the sector’s strong recovery and resilience following the COVID-19 pandemic. He reported that international tourist arrivals surged to 1.642 million in 2025, up from 1.371 million in 2024, while domestic tourism participation reached 3.27 million Ugandans.

Tourism earnings also registered significant growth, rising to UGX 5.83 trillion (USD 1.62 billion) in 2025, up from UGX 4.8 trillion the previous year. The sector now contributes 5.9% to Uganda’s GDP and supports over 876,000 jobs, representing 7.5% of total employment.

Despite these gains, the Ministry acknowledged persistent challenges, including human-wildlife conflict, inadequate infrastructure in tourism zones, limited internet and electricity connectivity and negative external perceptions. Government interventions are underway, including the installation of 221 kilometres of electric fencing, enhanced ranger deployment, and strengthened wildlife protection systems supported by digital surveillance technologies.

On infrastructure, the Ministry reported progress on key tourism roads such as the Kabale–Lake Bunyonyi and Kisoro–Mgahinga routes, alongside ongoing engagements to expand ICT and electricity access within protected areas to improve investor attractiveness.

Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Doreen Katusiime, noted that while the programme achieved mixed results under the NDP III framework, there has been steady progress in marketing, infrastructure development and skills training. She emphasized increased support to Uganda’s missions abroad and private sector players in destination promotion, as well as expanded enrollment in tourism training institutions to address skills gaps.

Delivering the President’s closing remarks on behalf of H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. Robbinah Nabbanja, commended the tourism sector for its strong performance and reaffirmed its central role under government’s strategic focus on the four ATMs; Agro-industrialization, Tourism, Minerals and Science and Technology.

Prime minister Nabbanja stressed the need to shift from planning to measurable results, urging all sectors to prioritize value addition, infrastructure development and efficient service delivery. “What matters is impact on the lives of our people,” she noted, calling for accountability and accelerated implementation.

The conference concluded with a renewed government commitment to harness tourism as a key driver of inclusive growth, job creation, and foreign exchange earnings, in line with Uganda’s long-term development agenda.