Uganda’s tourism sector is soaring to new heights, driving a significant surge in passenger traffic at Entebbe International Airport (EIA) and forging groundbreaking international partnerships. At a time when the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) is reporting an increase in traffic at Entebbe International Airport, the Uganda Tourism Association (UTA), in a strategic push to diversify its source markets, has successfully penned a landmark tourism cooperation agreement with Indonesia, signalling a vibrant future for the “Pearl of Africa.”
Entebbe Airport Records Increase in Passenger Numbers
According to the UCAA, June 2025 witnessed a robust performance at Entebbe International Airport, with 213,217 international passengers passing through its gates. This figure comprises 106,583 arrivals and 106,634 departures, averaging 7,107 passengers daily. This marks the second-highest monthly average ever recorded, just short of the 7,171 average achieved in December 2024, highlighting a sustained upward trend in air travel to and from Uganda.
The impressive growth is attributed to several factors, including the return of pilgrims from the Hijja pilgrimage, intensified tourism promotion efforts, an increase in business travel, plus international conferences hosted in Uganda.
This upward trajectory continues from May 2025, which saw a total of 198,052 passengers (97,568 arrivals and 100,484 departures), underscoring a consistent recovery and expansion of Uganda’s aviation sector.
Beyond passenger movement, however, cargo operations at EIA also demonstrated strength, handling a total of 6,293 metric tonnes in June. Exports significantly outpaced imports, with 4,332 metric tonnes shipped out compared to 1,961 metric tonnes brought in, reflecting a positive trade balance.
According to the UCAA, several factors contributed to the rise in passenger numbers during June 2025, these include:
Tourism
Continued promotion of Uganda as a tourism destination contributed to both inbound and outbound traffic.
Hajj Season Travel
June marked the return of Muslim pilgrims from Mecca, with Hajj arrangements involving hundreds of travellers passing through EIA.
Enhanced Regional and International Connectivity Uganda Airlines’ expanding route network, including direct flights between Entebbe and key international hubs such as Mumbai, Lagos, Abuja, and London Gatwick
Conferences and International Engagements
Uganda remained a hub for high-level regional and international meetings, including ongoing preparations for CHAN and AFCON, the African Judges Forum.
Improved Business Travel and Trade Mobility
EIA has grown in prominence as a gateway for business and trade-related travel across the East and Central African region, fueled by stable flight schedules and improved passenger services.
Growth in exports is largely attributed to the rising demand for agricultural products, including fruits, fish, fish maws, and gold, which are increasingly being shipped through EIA due to efficient processing and handling services.
On the imports side, the availability of direct cargo space on Uganda Airlines and other carriers has allowed the business community to benefit from lower transportation costs, with goods arriving faster and more affordably.
Groundbreaking Tourism Ties with Indonesia
In a major diplomatic and economic win, the Uganda Tourism Association (UTA), in collaboration with the Government of Uganda, the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) and the Ugandan Embassy in Malaysia, secured a landmark Bilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Indonesia on July 10, 2025.
Signed in Jakarta during a high-level Uganda–Indonesia Business Forum, this agreement aims to dramatically boost tourism trade and investment between the two nations.
The forum, which prioritised tourism, saw Uganda’s private sector represented by UTA Vice President Mr. Isa Kato, who delivered a powerful message on behalf of UTA President Mrs. Yogi Biriggwa.
“Uganda is safe, stable, and open for tourism. We warmly welcome our Indonesian brothers and sisters to explore the Pearl of Africa. Through UTA, you are guaranteed professional, licensed, and trusted tour operators, accommodation providers, guides, and unique travel experiences,” Kato’s message affirmed, signalling a commitment to quality and visitor assurance.
The Ugandan delegation was led by Hon. Gen. Wilson Mbasu Mbadi, Uganda’s State Minister for Trade, and H.E. Dr. Betty Bigombe, Uganda’s Ambassador to Malaysia and accredited to ASEAN, whose diplomatic efforts were crucial to the MOU’s success.
The Indonesian side was led by Ms. Dyah Roro Esti Widya Putri, Vice Minister of Trade, and Dr. Rose Rusmiati, President of ASITA, Indonesia’s umbrella body for the tourism private sector.
This pivotal partnership directly aligns with Uganda’s ambitious Vision 2040, which targets generating USD50 billion in tourism receipts through strategic international collaborations, a key component of the National Development Plan IV (NDP IV).
With the Ministry of Foreign Affairs championing economic and tourism diplomacy, the MOU lays the groundwork for stronger bilateral efforts across several key areas:
Joint Tour Packaging and Marketing: It fosters collaborative development and promotion of unique tourism products.
Hospitality Investment: It will encourage Indonesian investment in Uganda’s burgeoning hospitality sector.
Cultural Exchange: The MoU fosters deeper understanding and appreciation between the two cultures.
Business-to-Business Linkages: It will greatly facilitate direct connections between Ugandan and Indonesian tour operators, thereby promoting trade.
The official connection between Uganda and Indonesia through tourism unlocks a wealth of opportunities, promising to diversify Uganda’s tourist arrivals and strengthen its position as a premier global destination.
This significant diplomatic achievement, coupled with the robust performance at Entebbe International Airport, underscores a period of exciting growth and strategic expansion for Uganda’s vibrant tourism industry.