President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has committed to strategically deploying Uganda’s much-anticipated oil revenues to the tourism sector, a move that is set to redefine the sector over time. This transformative pledge emerged from a pivotal meeting at State House on July 29, 2025, with the leadership of the Uganda Tourism Association (UTA), led by President Mrs. Yogi Biriggwa.
The President’s commitment, subsequently shared on his official X (formerly Twitter) account, underscored tourism’s central and indispensable role in Uganda’s socio-economic transformation.
“I met with the Uganda Tourism Association, led by Ms. Yogi Biriggwa, who outlined plans to position Uganda as a top global tourism destination,” President Museveni posted.
He then revealed the game-changing policy direction, saying, “With oil revenues, we’ll invest in key infrastructure, like airports, to enhance access to our natural attractions. The government will collaborate with industry stakeholders to maximise tourism’s economic potential.”
Oil Wealth to Fuel Tourism’s Ascent
This direct allocation of future oil revenues marks a strategic shift, providing a robust and sustainable financial backbone for tourism development.
For years, Uganda has boasted unparalleled natural beauty, from the majestic gorillas of Bwindi to the sweeping savannahs of Kidepo and the diverse ecosystems of Mgahinga.
The challenge has often been the infrastructure required to access these remote treasures and the investment needed to develop world-class tourism products.
President Museveni’s commitment directly addresses this gap. By channelling oil revenues into critical infrastructure, particularly airports and access roads, Uganda is setting the stage to welcome a significantly larger influx of international visitors.
This move signals a proactive decision to diversify the national economy, ensuring that the benefits of oil wealth translate into a thriving, job-creating, and globally competitive tourism sector.
Comprehensive Commitments
The President’s vision extends far beyond mere financial injection. He outlined a holistic package of commitments designed to foster an enabling environment for tourism as follows:
Tax Reform
Acknowledging industry concerns, the President committed to the harmonisation of excessive hotel taxes and licensing. This crucial reform is aimed at reducing the operational burden on tourism businesses, spurring investment, and making Uganda a more attractive destination for both local and international visitors.
Infrastructure Development
Beyond airports, there will be annual allocations for roads to key tourism sites. Specific mention of iconic destinations like Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (gorilla trekking), Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, and Kidepo Valley National Park highlights a targeted approach to unlock access to Uganda’s premier attractions.
Access to Finance
Recognising the unique financial needs of the tourism sector, President Museveni advised against over-reliance on traditional ‘profit-driven banks.’
Instead, he advocated for policy reforms at the Uganda Development Bank (UDB) to ensure it offers tourism-tailored financial products. This strategic guidance aims to provide more flexible and suitable funding options for tourism enterprises, from small lodges to larger ventures.
Institutional Support
In a significant move to empower the private sector, the President pledged direct budgetary support to the Uganda Tourism Association (UTA). This institutional backing will enhance UTA’s capacity for private sector coordination, advocacy, and strategic planning, ensuring that industry voices are central to policy formulation and implementation.
UTA’s Ambitious Vision of USD4 Billion by 2030
The Uganda Tourism Association, under Mrs. Biriggwa’s dynamic leadership, presented a compelling Policy and Action Plan that resonated with the President’s commitment. She noted that UTA remains steadfast in its collaborative commitment with the government and stakeholders to realise Uganda’s audacious vision of achieving USD 4 billion in tourism earnings by 2030.
This ambitious target is coupled with the goal of positioning Uganda as Africa’s top sustainable and competitive tourism destination.
The President hailed UTA’s strategic leadership and committed to issuing executive directives based on their submitted plan, with a full follow-up address forthcoming.
This high-level political will, combined with a clear strategic roadmap and the promise of substantial oil revenues, creates an unprecedented synergy for Uganda’s tourism sector.
This political commitment and strategic industry planning promise to transform Uganda’s tourism potential into a tangible engine of economic growth and wealth that can be channelled to build diverse and sustainable national industries.