2026/2027 National Budget: Tourism earnings hit record Shs1.86 billion as government boosts global marketing campaign

Uganda’s tourism sector, before the current Ebola setback, had fully recovered from the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, with tourism receipts rising to a record USD 1.86 billion in 2025, according to the 2026/27 national budget presented by Finance Minister Henry Musasizi.

The sector’s strong performance has prompted government to allocate Shs 567.32 billion in the next financial year to further expand tourism infrastructure, destination marketing and conservation efforts.

Presenting the budget at Kololo Independence Grounds on Thursday, Musasizi described tourism as one of Uganda’s most powerful export industries and a major source of jobs and foreign exchange.

“Tourism is one of Uganda’s most powerful export industries. It generates foreign exchange. It creates jobs. It supports thousands of enterprises. And it showcases Uganda to the world,” Musasizi said.

The minister reported that tourism earnings had surpassed pre-pandemic levels, growing from USD 1.4 billion in 2018/19 to USD 1.86 billion in 2025.

“This remarkable recovery from the lowest receipts of USD 562 million recorded in 2020 demonstrates growing international confidence in Uganda as a destination for business, investment and leisure,” he said.

The recovery has been driven largely by aggressive international marketing under the “Explore Uganda, the Pearl of Africa” campaign.

According to Musasizi, Uganda’s visibility on the global tourism market has reached unprecedented levels.

He cited several international recognitions secured during the year, including the “Best in Show – Africa” award at the 2026 New York Travel and Adventure Show and the “Best Exquisite Destination Award” at the Outbound Travel Mart in Mumbai, India.

The government also leveraged major international events such as the Africa Cup of Nations tournament in Morocco and the World Travel Market in London to market Uganda’s tourism attractions.

In a move aimed at strengthening conference tourism, Uganda successfully secured bids to host two international conferences, boosting its position as a destination for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE).

Musasizi also highlighted the role of Economic and Commercial Diplomacy in supporting tourism growth.

“Government also launched the Economic and Commercial Diplomacy Strategy as a key instrument for advancing Uganda’s economic transformation,” he said.

Under the strategy, Ugandan missions abroad have been assigned targets focusing on tourism promotion, trade, investment attraction and diaspora mobilisation.

On infrastructure development, government reported progress on tourism facilities including museums and cultural heritage sites in Moroto and Dokolo, the Rwenzori Central Circuit Trail, Kitagata Hot Springs and visitor facilities at the Source of the Nile in Jinja.

Government also rehabilitated the Crested Crane Tourism Training Institute and established a wildlife education centre in Mbale.

For the 2026/27 financial year, priority investments will focus on destination branding, tourism infrastructure, highway sanitation facilities, hospitality standards, wildlife conservation, health tourism and economic diplomacy.

The minister said the objective is to position tourism as a key driver of Uganda’s tenfold economic growth strategy.