Uganda has unveiled a bold strategy to increase tourist arrivals from India by at least 20% over the next two years, positioning tourism as a key pillar in its ambitious Vision 2040 development agenda. The renewed focus aims to tap into India’s booming outbound travel market while fueling Uganda’s goal of growing its economy tenfold and transitioning into an upper-middle-income nation by 2040.
According to Uganda’s High Commissioner to India, Ambassador Joyce Kikafunda, tourism promotion has been prioritized among the four key sectors driving the country’s economic transformation — alongside agro-industrialization, science and technology, and rural development (including oil and gas). “Our mission in India has set a firm target to grow Indian tourist arrivals by at least 20% in two years,” Kikafunda stated during a media briefing on a familiarization trip for Indian tour operators.
She emphasized that the High Commission in New Delhi is working closely with key stakeholders — including Uganda Airlines, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Tourism, the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB), and private operators — to promote Uganda as a must-visit destination. Their joint appearance at the Outbound Travel Market (OTM) in Mumbai in January earned Uganda the award for Most Promising New Destination, signaling growing international recognition.
India, with a population of over 1.5 billion and a rapidly growing middle class, is now the world’s largest outbound tourism source market. An estimated 19.5 million Indians are expected to travel abroad this year. With 37,000 annual arrivals, India currently tops Uganda’s tourist source markets outside East Africa — a number the Ugandan government wants to significantly increase.
“Uganda has not done enough to market its stunning biodiversity and unique travel experiences,” Kikafunda admitted. “That must now change.”
Jitender Singh Negi, Second Secretary at the Indian High Commission in Kampala, echoed this sentiment, stating, “With consistent strategic efforts, Indian tourist numbers to Uganda could grow exponentially. Uganda’s diversity — from safaris to majestic waterfalls, boat rides on the Nile to cultural sites — all in one compact country, is an unbeatable offer.”
He noted that Uganda’s tourism gems must be marketed more effectively in India and beyond, adding, “India stands ready to support Uganda in strengthening people-to-people connections, tourism flows, and trade.”
Ambassador Elly Kamahungye, Director of International and Regional Economic Cooperation at Uganda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, further emphasized India’s significance in Uganda’s tourism blueprint. “Our target is to scale the tourism sector to USD 40 billion in value. With just 5 million Indian tourists, we could cover two-thirds of that. India is one of our most strategic and trusted partners.”
