Uganda is targeting US$5 billion in annual tourism receipts by 2030, a more than threefold increase from the US$1.62 billion generated by international visitors in 2025, as Government seeks to position tourism as a stronger engine of foreign exchange, employment and private investment.
Finance Minister Henry Musasizi said the target will require more than increasing visitor numbers, with Government seeking to attract high-value tourists, encourage longer stays and increase visitor spending.
Musasizi made the remarks while officiating at the 4th Annual Tourism Development Programme Review Conference at Imperial Royale Hotel in Kampala.
The target comes as Uganda’s tourism industry records strong growth. According to the Tourism Development Programme Annual Performance Report for FY2025/26, international tourist arrivals increased to 1.64 million in 2025 from 1.37 million in 2024.
Tourism receipts rose by 21.3% to Shs5.83 trillion, equivalent to US$1.62 billion, supported by higher visitor spending and longer stays.
The average length of stay increased marginally from 8.7 nights in 2024 to 8.8 nights in 2025, while average expenditure per tourist rose to US$986 from US$933.
The latest figures point to the commercial opportunity available from getting visitors to stay longer and spend more across hotels, transport, attractions, entertainment, food and other tourism-related businesses.
Investment opportunity
Musasizi said Government’s role is to create an environment that enables private investors to expand tourism facilities, improve standards and attract foreign direct investment through partnerships and joint ventures.
He called for stronger public-private partnerships to convert tourism opportunities into viable and bankable investments in hotels and conference facilities, eco-tourism, cultural and heritage tourism, faith-based tourism, agro-tourism, sports, wellness, adventure, creative and entertainment tourism.
“Tourism is a source of high economic growth, earns the country significant foreign exchange, creates jobs for Ugandans, redistributes income to rural areas, and gives us a compelling reason to protect our nature,” Musasizi said.
The sector currently directly supports 876,512 jobs, equivalent to 7.5% of Uganda’s total employment, according to the Tourism Satellite Account.
Musasizi said Government will continue investing in tourism infrastructure, destination marketing, product development, conservation, specialised skills and digital transformation, alongside measures to improve the wider business and investment environment.
He also pointed to affordable financing and fiscal incentives for investors, as well as economic and commercial diplomacy to promote Uganda as a tourism and investment destination in international markets.
Infrastructure push
State Minister for Tourism Susan Nakawuki said Government’s investments in tourism marketing, infrastructure and product diversification are beginning to improve the sector’s prospects.
She cited increased promotion of Uganda in international markets, collaboration between Uganda’s diplomatic missions and tourism stakeholders, and partnerships with local governments.
Nakawuki highlighted the construction of more than 280km of tourism roads, expansion of Entebbe International Airport, development of Kabalega International Airport and commencement of Kidepo International Airport.
She said Government is also working to diversify tourism products while protecting Uganda’s cultural and natural heritage.
However, Nakawuki called for further investment in tourism infrastructure, stronger marketing and promotion, faster development of tourism products and improved skills among people working in the sector.
For Uganda, the US$5 billion target therefore represents more than an arrivals target. It is a test of whether the country can convert growing tourist numbers into a larger and more productive tourism economy by attracting investment, increasing visitor spending, extending stays and spreading tourism revenues to businesses and communities across the country.
Musasizi urged stakeholders to deliberately discover, develop, package, market and sustainably manage Uganda’s tourism assets so that the sector can generate more jobs, foreign exchange and local economic opportunities.
