Africa-Press – Uganda. Government has asked Indian tour operators to help market Uganda as a preferred tourism destination, especially for travelers from India, the most populous country in the world.
On Friday, a team of 10 tour operators from India concluded a week-long familiarization trip to Uganda where they visited Zziwa Rhino Sanctuary, Murchison Falls, Kibaale National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Batwa Community, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Equator monument in Kasese and the Kazinga Channel among other beautiful gems that Uganda has to offer.
Speaking at the end of the trip, Prasad Nagsri said they had been wowed by what they had experienced in Uganda.
“You have got all boxes ticked for you. We have got a good destination for Indian tourists,” she said.
According to Uganda’s High Commissioner to India, Joyce Kikafunda, the trip was organised specifically to give a firsthand experience to the Indian tour operators of country’s beauty and potential.
“Uganda is abundantly blessed by nature. It is a country rich in biodiversity, stunning landscapes, warm people, and unique attractions — all of which appeal to even the most discerning of travellers. However, we must acknowledge that Uganda has not done enough to market and showcase this extraordinary beauty to the world,” Kikafunda said.
“Our goal is to leverage our presence in India to increase tourist arrivals from India by at least 20% over the next two years. We will do this through targeted tourism promotion, partnerships, and investment facilitation in tourism infrastructure.”
The High Commissioner said the tour operators will come in handy to make tailored packages for Indian tourists to Uganda.
She added that with the launch of direct flights between Mumbai and Entebbe by Uganda Airlines in 2023, Uganda hit jackpot as not only tourists but also businessmen will be flying into the country easily.
“This was a game-changer — reducing travel time from over 14 hours to just under 7 hours,” she said.
The High Commissioner also touted the issuance of electronic visas by the Uganda High Commission in New Delhi in less than 48 hours as another way of making travel to Uganda more accessible and convenient
The Uganda Tourism Board Marketing Manager, Francis Nyende said India is one of the world’s fastest-growing outbound travel markets—diverse, youthful, and ambitious that Uganda can tap into.
“ In 2023 alone, over 25 million Indians travelled abroad, and this number is projected to rise to 35 million by 2026. Uganda is eager and well-positioned to attract a fair share of this growing market,” Nyende said.
“In contrast, we welcomed 26,000 Indian visitors in 2022, increasing to 31,000 in 2023. This is a positive trend, but we know we can do better. We want Uganda to be top of mind for Indian travellers. India is not just a tourism market for us—it is a trusted ally with which we share historical, cultural, and spiritual bonds. As such, we seek to build a relationship that goes beyond leisure travel and tourism.”
The UTB Marketing Manager said they seek to raise awareness of Uganda as a top travel destination by promoting the country’s diverse tourism experiences tailored to various Indian traveller profiles, build strategic alliances, diversify tourism portfolio and encourage investment in tourism infrastructure.
“We invite Indian investors not just to visit Uganda but to invest in our parks, accommodation facilities, transport services, and other critical infrastructure that supports tourism growth,” Nyende urged.
He also noted that UTB seeks to establish strategic partnerships between the Ugandan and India film industries.
The Head of International Political Cooperation Department at Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Elly Kamahungye Kafeero said Uganda is a destination that anyone in the world can fancy visiting.
“Uganda is truly Africa compressed into one destination. Yes, mountain gorillas can be found in Uganda, Rwanda, and the DRC. But only Uganda offers an extra dimension—our people, our culture, and the unmatched warmth of our communities. The depth of experience our visitors gain here goes beyond wildlife; it touches the soul. Uganda is not just a destination but an emotional connection,” he said.
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