KAMPALA / NAIROBI, October 10, 2026 — Uganda and Kenya are stepping up efforts to strengthen tourism cooperation, with officials calling for lower travel costs, improved transport connections and simpler cross-border procedures to encourage more visitors to explore both countries during a single trip.
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| Uganda and Kenya Move to Boost Tourism |
The initiative is part of a wider push to promote East Africa as a connected tourism destination, combining Kenya's beaches and wildlife safaris with Uganda's mountain gorillas, cultural heritage, adventure experiences and the Source of the River Nile.
Speaking during the Magical Kenya Travel Expo 2026 in Nairobi, Uganda's Consul General in Mombasa, Ambassador Herbert Kiguli, said the two countries needed to address the practical challenges that discourage tourists from travelling across the region.
According to reporting published by The Star on October 10, Kiguli identified high transport costs, limited connectivity and administrative requirements as some of the main barriers to cross-border tourism.
He argued that a visitor arriving on Kenya's coast should be able to add Uganda to their itinerary without facing unnecessary expenses or complicated travel arrangements.
Tourism Numbers Show Growing Opportunities
Available tourism figures indicate that travel between Uganda and Kenya is already an important part of the regional tourism economy.
Kenya Tourism Board figures cited in the recent reporting show that arrivals from Uganda increased from 201,623 in 2024 to 234,556 in 2025.
Meanwhile, Uganda Tourism Board figures show that Kenyan visitors to Uganda rose from 466,902 in 2024 to 519,041 in 2025.
Together, the two countries recorded more than 750,000 visitor movements between them in 2025, highlighting the commercial potential of stronger tourism partnerships.
These movements create opportunities for hotels, tour operators, transport companies, restaurants, cultural attractions, travel agents and small businesses serving domestic and international visitors.
For Uganda, Kenya represents an important regional market. For Kenya, Uganda offers an additional source of travellers and an opportunity to build longer multi-country holiday packages.
High Airfares Remain a Major Challenge
Despite the growing interest in regional travel, the cost of transportation remains a significant concern for tourism stakeholders.
Uganda's State Minister for Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Susan Nsambu Nakawuki, has called for improved air connectivity, particularly between Entebbe and destinations along Kenya's coast, including Mombasa.
High fares can make short regional holidays expensive, discouraging visitors who might otherwise combine a Kenyan beach holiday with wildlife experiences in Uganda.
Tourism operators believe more affordable connections could encourage travellers to spend additional days in the region, benefiting businesses in both countries.
Better road and air connections, transparent travel requirements and stronger cooperation between tour operators could also make it easier to sell multi-destination packages to visitors from Europe, Asia, North America and other African countries.
Kenya's Beaches and Uganda's Wildlife Could Form One Holiday
One of the major opportunities lies in combining the complementary attractions of the two countries.
Kenya offers coastal tourism, marine experiences, cultural heritage and internationally recognised wildlife destinations, including the Maasai Mara.
Uganda, meanwhile, attracts visitors interested in mountain gorilla trekking, chimpanzee tracking, national parks, adventure tourism and visits to the Source of the River Nile.
A traveller could therefore spend several days enjoying Kenya's coastline and wildlife before continuing to Uganda for gorilla trekking or other nature-based experiences.
Such arrangements could increase the length of visitors' stays and spread tourism spending across different destinations.
However, tourism businesses will need practical arrangements covering transport, bookings, travel documentation, customer support and the coordination of itineraries before these packages can reach their full potential.
Youth and Technology Take Centre Stage
The planned Fifth Uganda–Kenya Coast Tourism and Innovation Summit is expected to provide another opportunity to turn regional cooperation into practical business arrangements.
The summit is scheduled for October 26–27, 2026, at Sarova Whitesands Beach Resort in Mombasa.
According to Uganda's Consulate General in Mombasa, the meeting will bring together representatives from government, tourism, technology, investment and the private sector.
Its agenda includes youth-led innovation, digital tourism solutions, business-to-business engagement, investment and the removal of policy barriers affecting regional mobility.
Digital platforms could help travellers compare destinations, arrange transport, book accommodation and access information about attractions in both countries. Young entrepreneurs could also develop tourism applications, digital marketing services and booking systems that connect local businesses with international visitors.
The summit is expected to produce recommendations and follow-up priorities for stronger cooperation.
What the Partnership Could Mean for Ordinary Ugandans
If the proposals lead to practical improvements, the benefits could extend beyond large hotels and established tour operators.
Small accommodation providers, local guides, craftspeople, food vendors, transport operators and cultural groups could gain access to a wider market.
More visitors could also create opportunities for employment and entrepreneurship among young people, particularly in communities located near national parks, cultural sites and major tourist routes.
Nevertheless, the results will depend on whether governments and industry players address the barriers identified by tourism stakeholders. Lower travel costs, dependable transport, clear immigration procedures and responsible management of natural attractions will be essential.
Tourism growth must also protect wildlife, support local communities and preserve the cultural and environmental resources that make both countries attractive.
A Shared Opportunity for East Africa
Uganda and Kenya are increasingly presenting their tourism sectors as complementary rather than competing industries.
The wider ambition is to encourage visitors to explore more than one East African country during a single journey, helping the region retain a greater share of international tourism spending.
The October summit will provide an opportunity for stakeholders to discuss how that ambition can be translated into partnerships, investment and more convenient travel arrangements.
For Uganda, stronger cooperation could help expand the market for its wildlife, adventure and cultural attractions. For Kenya, it could create additional opportunities for coastal businesses and safari operators while encouraging longer regional itineraries.
Conclusion
Uganda and Kenya's renewed tourism cooperation offers an opportunity to strengthen regional trade, create employment and improve the visitor experience across East Africa. However, the real measure of success will be whether commitments to affordable transport, easier travel and digital innovation translate into tangible improvements for tourists and businesses.
As preparations continue for the Uganda–Kenya Coast Tourism and Innovation Summit, attention will turn to the practical steps both countries can take to make cross-border tourism more accessible and commercially rewarding.
Elite Daily News Live (EDNL) will keep updating readers on Uganda's tourism industry, regional business partnerships and developments shaping East Africa's travel sector.
Source note: This article is based on reporting published by The Star on October 10, 2026, and official information from Uganda's Consulate General in Mombasa regarding the forthcoming tourism summit.
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