KAMPALA
The Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities has reaffirmed its commitment to working with private partners and stakeholders to address key barriers in Uganda’s tourism sector.
“As a Ministry, we are committed to working hand-in-hand with the private sector to address barriers in tourism development and promotion, enhance regulatory frameworks, improve market access, and strengthen destination branding,” State Minister for Tourism Martin Mugarra Bahinduka said on Tuesday.
Mugarra was speaking at the launch of the Presidential CEO Forum’s 6th biannual private sector CEO retreat, held at the Uganda Media Centre in Kampala. The retreat is scheduled for September 9–11, 2025, in Fort Portal.
He noted that government agencies will continue engaging with CEOs and industry leaders to foster innovation and competitiveness across the tourism value chain, while urging the media to project a positive image of Uganda in their reporting.
Tourism is as one of Uganda’s most promising sectors for economic growth, job creation, and international visibility.
“The private sector is a key driver in this journey, and through platforms such as the CEO Retreat, we can work collectively to ensure Uganda stands out as a top travel destination globally,” said tourism minister, Hon. Tom Butime who was represented at the launch.
Presidential CEO Forum Chairperson Emmanuel Katongole emphasized that the retreat has grown into a national platform for advancing transformative ideas.
“By focusing on tourism this year, we are mobilising leadership, innovation, and investment towards a sector that holds the potential to redefine Uganda’s economic trajectory,” he said.
The three-day retreat is expected to bring together more than 200 chief executives, policymakers, industry leaders, and stakeholders from Uganda and beyond for strategic dialogue, partnerships, and policy alignment to position Uganda competitively on the global tourism map.
The event will run under the theme “Making Uganda a Preferred Tourism Destination,” and President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni is expected to grace the function as Guest of Honour.
