Uganda has called for stronger cooperation with Kenya to reduce travel costs, remove administrative barriers and improve regional connectivity, aiming to promote East Africa as a single tourism destination and increase revenue from international visitors.
The appeal was made during the Magical Kenya Travel Expo (MKTE) 2026, held at Uhuru Gardens National Monument and Museum in Nairobi, where Ugandan officials urged both countries to strengthen cross-border tourism and develop integrated travel packages.
Uganda’s Consul General in Mombasa, Ambassador Herbert Kiguli, said visitors should be able to travel between Kenya and Uganda more easily without facing unnecessary costs, paperwork and transport difficulties.
He emphasized that tourists visiting Kenya’s coastal attractions should have the opportunity to extend their trips to Uganda, while visitors exploring Uganda should also be encouraged to experience Kenya’s beaches, wildlife parks and other destinations.
According to Kiguli, officials from Uganda’s High Commission in Nairobi and Consulate in Mombasa are working together to strengthen regional tourism cooperation and create opportunities for businesses in both countries.
Visitor figures indicate growing travel between the two neighboring countries. Data attributed to the Kenya Tourism Board and Uganda Tourism Board show that arrivals from Uganda to Kenya increased from 201,623 in 2024 to 234,556 in 2025, representing growth of approximately 16.3 percent.
Meanwhile, Kenyan visitors to Uganda rose from 466,902 to 519,041 over the same period, an increase of about 11.2 percent. Combined cross-border visitor movements reached 753,597 in 2025, up from 668,525 in 2024.
The figures highlight the importance of the two countries’ tourism markets and the potential benefits of coordinated promotion and improved travel arrangements.
Uganda’s State Minister for Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Susan Nsambu Nakawuki, identified high airfares as one of the major obstacles to expanding regional tourism, particularly on routes connecting Entebbe with Kenya’s coastal destinations.
She questioned why flights between nearby African destinations can cost as much as journeys to distant international cities, arguing that expensive regional air travel discourages tourists from visiting multiple countries.
Nakawuki called on East African Community (EAC) member states to address non-tariff barriers, improve direct air connections and encourage more affordable regional air services.
She also stressed that Kenya and Uganda should regard each other as partners rather than competitors, arguing that joint marketing could make the region more attractive to international travelers.
The proposed cooperation would allow tourism operators to develop packages combining Kenya’s Indian Ocean beaches, safari parks and wildlife experiences with Uganda’s mountain gorilla trekking, biodiversity and adventure tourism attractions.
International visitors could, for example, spend several days at Mombasa or Diani Beach, visit the Maasai Mara National Reserve and then travel to Uganda to explore Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or the source of the River Nile in Jinja.
Tourism stakeholders believe such packages could encourage visitors to remain in East Africa longer, increa2se spending across both countries and create additional opportunities for hotels, tour operators, airlines and local communities.
The initiativeww.,e could also support Kenya’s ambition to attract five million international tourist arrivals annually by 2027, although achieving that target will depend on several factors, including connectivity, service quality and international demand.
The issues are expected to feature prominently at the fifth Uganda–Kenya Coast Tourism and Innovation Summit, scheduled for October 26–27 at Sarova Whitesands Beach Resort in Mombasa.
The meeting is expected to bring together more than 200 participants, including tourism officials, policymakers, private investors and technology developers, to discuss practical measures for strengthening cross-border tourism.
A key area of discussion will be Article 104 of the East African Community Treaty, which provides for cooperation on the movement of people, labor and services, as well as the right of establishment within the regional bloc.
Participants are expected to consider harmonizing tourism procedures, supporting youth-led travel technology initiatives and organizing familiarization visits to help tourism operators develop new regional products. A visit to Uganda for Kenyan trade operators is planned for November 1–8.
The proposed measures reflect a broader effort to strengthen regional integration and ensure that East African countries capture a greater share of international tourism spending.
