Uganda has stepped up efforts to attract Polish tourists and investors into its tourism sector, showcasing its wildlife, cultural heritage and safari experiences while promoting opportunities in lodge development and tourism infrastructure.
The country participated as the official partner country at the 10th edition of the ALLinTOO international tourism workshop, held on October 22–23, 2026, at the Campanile PRIME Warsaw Airport hotel in Warsaw, Poland.
The business-to-business event, organised by All Inclusive magazine in partnership with the Open Tourist Organization (TOO), brought together tourism exhibitors and tour operators from Poland and other Central European markets, including the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary.
Uganda’s participation focused on building commercial partnerships with tour operators, expanding the market for its tourism products and encouraging investment in facilities needed to support the industry’s growth.
The Ugandan delegation was led by Jessica Namuddu, Second Secretary in charge of tourism at the Embassy of Uganda in Berlin, and Jennifer Asiimwe.
The delegation presented Uganda as a destination offering more than mountain gorilla encounters, highlighting its wildlife, waterfalls, snow-capped mountains, cultural attractions and hospitality.
Participants were also introduced to the Explore Uganda destination-marketing campaign and the Uganda Tourism Board’s efforts to promote the country in international markets.
Six Ugandan destination management companies participated in the workshop: Ganza Adventure, Destination Jungle, Wild Jungle Trails, Kubwa 5 Safaris, Cheetah Safaris and Crystal Safaris.
The companies held business-to-business meetings with Polish and international buyers to promote their safari packages, establish commercial relationships and explore opportunities to attract more visitors to Uganda.
Crystal Safaris lists Polish-speaking guides among its services, a feature that could help the company serve Polish-speaking travellers seeking guided experiences in Uganda.
The organisers said the workshop’s buyers were exclusively tour operators looking for international partners, providing Ugandan businesses with an opportunity to establish direct links with companies that package and sell holidays to consumers.
The event also featured Hungary’s Lake Balaton as its partner region, while Uganda took the partner-country position following the Czech Republic’s participation in that role at the spring edition in Kraków.
Beyond marketing safari packages, the Ugandan delegation invited Polish investors to explore opportunities in lodge development, tourism infrastructure and partnerships with local tourism businesses.
The investment pitch comes as Uganda seeks to strengthen its position in the international tourism market by attracting visitors and encouraging private-sector investment in facilities and services that support tourism.
Potential areas for collaboration include accommodation development, destination management, tour packaging and partnerships between Polish travel companies and Ugandan operators.
The delegation said it hoped the engagements would translate into increased visitor numbers, stronger commercial relationships and new investment in Uganda’s tourism industry.
However, the extent of investor interest and any agreements reached during the workshop had not been detailed in the information provided by the delegation.
The delegation also highlighted the historical relationship between Uganda and Poland, recalling Uganda’s role in hosting Polish refugees during the Second World War.
Between 1942 and 1944, approximately 7,000 Polish refugees, mainly women and children, arrived in Uganda and were accommodated at settlements in Nyabyeya, Masindi District, and Koja in present-day Mukono District.
Many of the refugees were later resettled in countries including Britain, Canada and Australia in 1948.
The historical connection remains visible through heritage sites associated with the Polish refugee settlements. The Polish cemetery at Koja is maintained with support from Poland’s diplomatic mission in Nairobi, while the Polish church in Masindi has also benefited from Polish funding for renovation.
By drawing attention to this shared history, the delegation sought to highlight the longstanding links between the two countries alongside opportunities for contemporary tourism and business cooperation.
Uganda’s participation at ALLinTOO forms part of a broader effort to strengthen its visibility in Poland and other European markets.
In November 2025, Namuddu showcased Uganda at the Warsaw International Tourism and Travel Fair, commonly known as TT Warsaw, alongside tour operators associated with the Exclusive Sustainable Tour Operators Association and SeraWild Coffee.
In September 2026, Uganda also promoted its coffee at the Coffee Europe Expo in Warsaw, while the Embassy of Uganda in Berlin has continued diplomatic and commercial engagement with Polish institutions and business stakeholders.
The embassy, which is accredited to Poland, sponsored Uganda’s participation at the ALLinTOO workshop. Uganda does not have a resident embassy in Poland.
The latest engagement provides another platform for Ugandan tourism businesses to connect with Central European tour operators and promote the country as a destination for wildlife safaris, cultural experiences and nature-based travel.
The delegation commended the organisers for facilitating business-to-business meetings, expressing hope that the contacts established in Warsaw would lead to more tourists visiting Uganda and increased investment in the sector.
