Africa-Press – Uganda. Uganda is preparing to join the rest of the world in marking World Tourism Day 2025, with a month-long lineup of activities that will highlight the country’s rich natural heritage and reaffirm tourism’s role in driving sustainable transformation.
According to James Musinguzi, Executive Director of the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), the celebrations will include a series of pre-events leading up to the grand day in Arua City.
Among the highlights is the Rhino Naming Ceremony, part of UWA’s 10-Year Rhino Development Strategy. This plan includes decongesting Ziwa Sanctuary by translocating 20 rhinos to Ajai Wildlife Reserve, with long-term expansion into Kidepo and other qualifying parks.
To give East Africans a firsthand wildlife experience, UWA will host Open Park Days from September 25th to 27th, offering free access to selected national parks.
These include Queen Elizabeth National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, Pian Upe Game Reserve, and Kidepo Valley National Park.
Visitors will enjoy free park entry, game drives, guiding services, as well as filming and photography opportunities.
To make the festivities more inclusive, UWA will also provide buses to transport people to Arua for the main celebrations. Visitors are, however, reminded not to carry food into the parks and to drive responsibly.
The month-long events are being organised under the theme “Tourism & Sustainable Transformation.” As Francis Nyende, Marketing Manager at the Uganda Tourism Board, explains, tourism in Uganda is far more than leisure.
It is a lifeline for communities, a driver of conservation, and a key pillar of the economy. By 2040, the country aims for tourism to contribute at least 10% of GDP.
Throughout September, Ugandans can expect cultural showcases, entertainment, and conservation-focused events, with the grand culmination in Arua City.
Beyond the festivities, the theme emphasises inclusivity, resilience, and shared benefits. From protecting forests, rivers, and wildlife to ensuring tourism revenues improve rural livelihoods, Uganda is committing to a tourism sector that transforms lives while safeguarding nature.
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