The Uganda High Commission in New Delhi, in partnership with the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) and Uganda Airlines, has taken the Explore Uganda India Roadshow to Ahmedabad in Gujarat State, as part of efforts to promote Uganda as a preferred tourism destination for Indian travellers.
The Ahmedabad engagement marked the second day of the roadshow, which is aimed at strengthening tourism linkages and building business partnerships between Ugandan and Indian tourism stakeholders. The initiative seeks to position Uganda as an attractive destination for Indian travellers seeking experiential, cultural, adventure, and nature-based tourism.
Leading the Ugandan delegation, Ambassador Prof. Joyce Kikafunda Kakuramatsi said Uganda offers a diverse range of attractions that appeal to Indian tourists, including rich cultural heritage, historical links, and unique natural assets.
She noted that Uganda is globally recognised as the primate capital of the world and is also home to the source of the River Nile. Uganda additionally holds historical significance for Indians, as Jinja is one of the places where the ashes of Mahatma Gandhi were scattered in accordance with his final wishes. A Mahatma Gandhi Monument was erected in Jinja in 1997 to commemorate his legacy of peace and non-violence.
Ahmedabad, the capital of Gujarat State and India’s seventh-largest city, is a key outbound tourism market. Often referred to as the “Manchester of India” because of its thriving textile industry, the city lies along the banks of the Sabarmati River and hosts several of India’s leading outbound tour operators.
More than 30 private Ugandan tour operators are participating in the roadshow alongside the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), the custodian of Uganda’s national parks. The platform allows Ugandan and Indian operators to engage directly, explore market opportunities, and establish partnerships aimed at growing tourism flows between the two countries.
Ambassador Kikafunda expressed optimism that sustained promotional efforts, supported by stakeholders in Kampala, would significantly increase Indian tourist arrivals to Uganda—from the current 43,000 to about 100,000 by 2027.
Following the Ahmedabad engagements, the roadshow will proceed to Mumbai before culminating at the Outbound Travel Mart (OTM), South Asia’s largest travel trade exhibition. Uganda made its debut at OTM in 2025, where it received the Best New Destination Award, reflecting growing interest among Indian travellers in Destination Uganda.
The Uganda Mission in New Delhi is supported under the Economic and Commercial Diplomacy (ECD) programme, which contributes to the government’s broader ambition of expanding the economy from $50 billion to $500 billion. Tourism remains a key pillar of Uganda’s foreign exchange earnings and overall economic growth strategy.
