Africa-Press – Uganda. When the Association of Uganda Tour Operators (AUTO) was founded in 1995, Uganda’s tourism sector was barely standing—scarred by decades of instability, underinvestment, and fragmented efforts.
Turning Uganda into a globally competitive destination was more dream than reality. Yet, for a small group of committed tour operators, it was a dream worth chasing.
Before AUTO, Uganda’s image abroad was fragile. The tourism sector lacked regulation, consistency, and public confidence.
Unreliable, fly-by-night operators damaged the country’s reputation, leaving visitors unsure whom to trust.
Tour operators worked in isolation, service standards varied widely, and there was no system to enforce accountability. The industry needed structure, oversight, and a credible voice.
AUTO emerged to fill that void—not as a mere association, but as a movement. Starting with around 15 passionate professionals, the founders resolved not to wait for government intervention. For 30 years, they have not only carried the torch—they have lit the path.
From humble offices on Nkrumah Road, AUTO has grown into a respected institution with over 400 members, each playing a role in transforming Uganda into a premier African destination.
These are businesses entrusted with thousands of dollars by tourists, often for safaris booked years in advance. Ensuring credibility, professionalism, and security was essential, and AUTO delivered. Uganda’s tourism numbers reflect both struggle and resilience. In the early 1990s, annual visitor arrivals hovered around 400,000.
Today, Uganda attracts roughly 1.3 million tourists a year, with pre-COVID arrivals standing at 1.5 million. While this growth cannot be solely credited to AUTO, it is undeniable that without the private sector’s persistence, there would be no story to tell.
A Legacy of Advocacy and Action
AUTO’s mission has always been clear: advocate for its members, uphold professional standards, and champion sustainable tourism. Under Ms. Civy Tumusiime’s leadership as Chairperson, the association entered a new era of credibility and growth.
Between 2022 and 2023, AUTO’s membership rose by 78%, from 207 to 255 operators. Its income nearly doubled, from Shs1.49 billion to over Shs3.1 billion. Tumusiime also navigated the sector through the COVID-19 pandemic, securing financial relief and tax incentives that kept businesses afloat and jobs protected.
She elevated Uganda’s presence on the global stage, funding local tour operators to exhibit at trade shows such as ITB Berlin, World Travel Market Africa, and the Magical Kenya Travel Expo. Beyond advocacy, Tumusiime prioritized capacity-building—training operators in customer service, digital marketing, financial literacy, and sustainable tourism—ensuring that Ugandan operators are not just passionate but professional.
Government’s Absence—and Late Arrival
AUTO’s journey is a testament to what the private sector can achieve when the state lags. Uganda’s tourism sector is over 80% private-sector driven.
Operators fund their own marketing, build brands, and even take on community development and conservation initiatives, all with minimal government support, tax relief, or infrastructure investment.
As one senior operator put it bluntly, “Tourism in Uganda happens by chance—because the Government cares less.”
That frustration is widely shared: while the government deliberated, AUTO was already building the sector. And even when support arrives, it often comes too late.
Despite these challenges, optimism is growing. AUTO’s upcoming “Roots & Routes Tourism Dinner” on October 17, 2025, at Mestil Hotel in Kampala, will celebrate three decades of resilience and innovation, while setting the tone for the sector’s future.
The black-tie gala, themed “Roots & Routes: Celebrating Uganda’s Past, Present & Tourism Future,” will bring together private and public sector leaders to forge new alliances and highlight tourism’s economic potential.
AUTO has proven it can build a credible, sustainable sector. Now, it needs government to catch up—and show up.
What Needs to Be Done
If Uganda is serious about diversifying its economy, creating jobs, and conserving its natural heritage, tourism must move from an afterthought to a national priority.
That means increased public funding, strategic global marketing, tax incentives for operators, better roads to parks, and security assurance in remote areas.
It means seeing the private sector not just as beneficiaries, but as co-pilots in Uganda’s tourism journey.
AUTO has carried the weight for 30 years. It is time they received the support they deserve. As the association looks to the next decade, one thing is clear: Uganda’s tourism will thrive not because of government policy, but because of the passion, professionalism, and persistence of those who have fought daily to prove its potential.
Joshua Kagoro is a multimedia conservation journalist and Team Leader at Nexus Earth Care Africa (NECA), writing about sustainable tourism, community livelihoods, and environmental justice across East Africa.
Source: Nilepost News
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