The Minister of State for Tourism, Martin Mugara Bahinduka, has commended President Yoweri Museveni for his commitment to boosting Uganda’s tourism sector through increased budgetary support.

Speaking at the Uganda Media Centre this morning, Minister Bahinduka revealed that following engagement through the Presidential Chief Executive Officers Forum, the President approved a significant budget increase for the tourism sector from UGX 290 billion in the 2024/25 financial year to UGX 430 billion in the current 2025/26 budget.

“This is a major step forward. The tourism sector has immense potential to drive economic growth, create employment, and enhance Uganda’s global image,” the Minister said.

He noted that the sector currently supports over 8,000 jobs and has the capacity to generate over USD 1.6 billion in annual revenue.

The Minister made the remarks ahead of the 6th Bi-Annual Tourism Sector Retreat scheduled to take place from September 9th to 11th in Fort Portal City.

The retreat will focus on strengthening collaboration between the public and private sectors to fully harness Uganda’s rich tourism potential, including its unique natural beauty, diverse cultures, and adventure experiences.

The retreat is expected to attract key players from across the industry to strategize on sustainable growth and international competitiveness.

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