On September 27th, 2025, Uganda joined the world to celebrate World Tourism Day in Arua City marking a milestone moment for the West Nile region. The celebrations, held at the profuse greens of Arua City Golf Course, brought together government leaders, international guests, private sector tourism players and local communities from across the country and beyond under the global theme “Tourism and Sustainable Transformation.”
Presiding over the ceremony as Chief Guest, Rt. Hon. Robinah Nabbanja, Prime Minister of Uganda, commended the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities and its agencies for their tireless work in keeping tourism central to Uganda’s development story. She applauded the people of West Nile for their hospitality and strong sense of community that turned the celebration into a national highlight. She also welcomed delegations from the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan, noting Arua’s unique position as a gateway to regional tourism, trade, and cultural exchange.
Thicking back on the year’s theme, the Prime Minister said tourism continues to shape global economies, contributing nearly 7% of world trade and ranking third among the world’s major export categories. Despite recent global challenges, she said, tourism has remained resilient.
In 2024, Uganda welcomed 1.37 million international visitors, recovering 89.2% of its pre-pandemic arrivals. Tourism expenditure grew by 26%, reaching UGX 4.8 trillion (USD 1.28 billion). These numbers, she noted, show a promising future not only for travelers but for communities whose livelihoods depend on tourism.
Innovation for a New Era
The Prime Minister highlighted four global trends shaping the future of tourism, a shift toward authentic and eco-friendly experiences, the rise of sustainable practices that protect nature and culture, the integration of technology and improved mobility through better transport networks. She said Uganda is already embracing this transformation through electric mobility, solar energy, digital tourism platforms, and smart conservation tools that support environmental protection. “Tourism must continue to adapt to global change while remaining true to our values of sustainability, innovation, and inclusion,” she said. “We must empower young people to build the future of tourism through creativity and technology.”
Laying Foundations for Growth
Tourism remains a key pillar under Uganda’s Vision 2040 and National Development Plan IV, and the government has set a target for a 25-fold increase in tourism earnings over the next decade. This ambition is supported by major infrastructure investments, the expansion of Entebbe International Airport, the construction of Kabale International Airport, and upgrades at aerodromes in Arua, Kidepo, Jinja, Kasese and Kisoro. Improved road networks, especially the highways connecting Arua to the rest of the country, and enhanced marine transport services along the Nile and Uganda’s lakes, are also opening new frontiers for domestic and regional travel.
The Prime Minister noted ongoing projects such as the Source of the Nile Development, Rwenzori Mountain infrastructure, Kitagata Hot Springs redevelopment, Jinja Hotel and Tourism College, and the Uganda Museum revamp which are all designed to elevate Uganda’s tourism to global standards. In West Nile, plans are underway to revive Ajai Wildlife Reserve with the translocation of white rhinos by December 2025. The Prime Minister urged local communities and the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) to protect this habitat and restore more wildlife species to strengthen conservation tourism. She also spoke about the growing importance of sports and cultural tourism, pointing to events such as CHAN 2025, AFCON 2027, the Elgon and Rwenzori Marathons, Gulu’s Oktoberfest, Fort Portal’s Empaako Festival, and the Kampala City Festival as examples of how tourism can drive creativity and unity.
Recognizing Champions of Tourism
During the celebrations, the Tourism Recognition of Excellence Awards honored outstanding individuals and organizations that have contributed to Uganda’s tourism growth including community-led initiatives, cultural, agro-tourism, and conservation projects. The Prime Minister emphasized that tourism must remain inclusive, ensuring equal opportunities for women, youth, and local communities. She called for continued collaboration to address climate change, deforestation, and pollution, which remain among the greatest threats to sustainable tourism.
Voices from the giants
Hon. Tom Butime, Minister for Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, praised Arua for its transformation, hospitality and readiness to take part in the national tourism journey. He highlighted the region’s blend of cultural richness and natural beauty, while calling for accelerated work on the Arua Airstrip, improved roads, and reliable ferry services to boost access and competitiveness. According to the Minister, Uganda’s tourism performance in 2024 showed strong recovery. Visitors stayed longer on an average of 8.7 nights and spent more, with the sector now contributing 5.7% to national GDP and supporting over 803,000 jobs. The rise in MICE tourism (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Events) has also strengthened Uganda’s visibility in international markets. He reaffirmed the government’s plan to grow tourism earnings to USD 50 billion by 2040 through diversification, improved infrastructure, and training for hospitality professionals.
The Promise of West Nile Across West Nile’s 13 districts, preparations for World Tourism Day turned into a showcase of local pride. Arua Central MP Atima Lee Jackson commended the Ministry for choosing the region, describing it as the most significant national event hosted in West Nile in over 50 years. He listed community-led projects and tourism sites under restoration like Wanglei in Pakwach, Got-Nebbi Hills, Emin Pasha Fort, and Alur Kingdom Palace in Zombo. He also highlighted ongoing efforts to revive Ajai Wildlife Reserve and train community rangers, while calling for the tarmacking of the Arua Airfield and continued support for post-conflict recovery.The celebrations in Arua reflected Uganda’s renewed commitment to build the tourism industry rooted in sustainability, culture, and innovation.