Described by Churchill as “The Pearl of Africa” and re-branded as a “Country Gifted by Nature” in the early 2000s by a government project to promote tourism, Uganda has over the years since the turbulent times of the 70s proved itself to be just that in as far as tourism goes.

From the time of Independence, Uganda was one of the biggest hot spots for tourists in Africa coming close to the million mark in 1970, but due to political instabilities, it dropped to 25,000 in 1986. From then on, it has been an upward trend.

According to the World Travel and Tourism Council, Uganda is among the top 10 global tourist growth destinations with arrivals figures over the last three years increasing at an average rate of over 20% per year.

Tourism contributes nearly 26% of the country’s total export earnings and also provides total employment for people with a wide range of skills as well as the unskilled.

While the sector has had its challenges in Uganda, a new approach that seeks to change this and which is being implanted is Government development of Public/Private Sector Partnerships as part of economic development. This programme includes specific actions designed to encourage, assist and financially support the strengthening of the sector’s representative bodies.