Ugandan and Kenyan private-sector organisations have signed three memoranda of understanding (MoUs) aimed at strengthening tourism cooperation, expanding trade and attracting investment between the two countries.
The agreements were signed on the opening day of the fifth Uganda–Kenya Coast Tourism and Innovation Summit, held at Sarova Whitesands Beach Resort & Spa in Mombasa on October 26–27.
The agreements bring together tourism operators, travel agents and private-sector organisations from both countries, with a focus on regional integration, business partnerships and sustainable tourism development.
The Association of Uganda Tour Operators (AUTO) and the Kenya Association of Tour Operators (KATO) signed an MoU to promote sustainable tourism and strengthen cooperation across East Africa.
A second agreement was signed by the Uganda Association of Travel Agents (TUGATA) and the Kenya Association of Travel Agents (KATA) to implement the Uganda–Kenya Coast Tourism Collaboration. The framework provides for cooperation in innovation, investment, youth participation and regional integration.
The third MoU was signed by the Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU) and the Mombasa chapter of the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI), focusing on trade, investment and private-sector collaboration.
Organisers identified the signing of three MoUs as one of the key targets for this year’s summit, which seeks to move regional tourism cooperation beyond destination marketing towards practical policy reforms and measurable business outcomes.
The summit was convened by Uganda’s Consulate General in Mombasa under the theme, “Unlocking Tourism Opportunities: Resolving Policy Bottlenecks through Technology, Youth and Seamless Mobility across East Africa.”
It brought together government officials, tour operators, travel agents, technology developers and investors to explore opportunities for strengthening tourism and commercial ties between Uganda and Kenya.
Beyond the agreements, organisers aim to secure at least two digital tourism prototypes ready for commercial investment and establish at least 10 business-to-business partnerships between Ugandan and Kenyan coastal tourism operators.
Progress on these targets is expected to be monitored over three months.
Participants are also reviewing Article 104 of the East African Community (EAC) Treaty, which addresses the free movement of people, labour and services, to identify and address barriers affecting cross-border travel.
Government representatives are expected to sign a joint declaration for submission to the EAC Secretariat. A communiqué outlining institutional commitments and implementation deadlines is expected within two weeks, with progress scheduled for review at the 2027 summit.
The agreements come amid growing travel between the two countries, with official tourism figures indicating an increase in visitor numbers.
Uganda Tourism Board figures show that the number of Kenyan visitors to Uganda rose from 466,902 in 2024 to 519,041 in 2025.
Kenya Tourism Board data indicates that Uganda accounted for 234,556 arrivals in Kenya in 2025, making it one of the country’s major source markets. Kenya is targeting 300,000 Ugandan visitors this year.
Uganda’s Consul General in Mombasa, Ambassador Herbert Kiguli, said the two countries were seeking to market their attractions as complementary destinations rather than competing tourism markets.
“Our approach is to embrace complementarity rather than competition, connecting Kenya’s coast to Uganda’s rich natural and cultural heritage through the ‘Beach to Bush, Bush to Beach’ concept, for the mutual benefit of both countries,” Kiguli said.
The concept seeks to link Kenya’s coastal tourism offerings with Uganda’s wildlife, natural attractions and cultural experiences, encouraging travellers to visit both destinations as part of one regional itinerary.
Ambassador Charles Ssentongo, who represented the Permanent Secretary of Uganda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting tourism stakeholders.
He said trade barriers between the two countries were being addressed through the Uganda–Kenya Joint Permanent Commission, while calling for practical solutions with clear implementation timelines.
Ssentongo identified tourism, alongside agriculture, minerals, and science, technology and innovation, as one of four priority sectors under Uganda’s Ten-Fold Growth Strategy.
The strategy aims to expand Uganda’s economy from approximately $50 billion to $500 billion by 2040.
Uganda’s Minister of State for Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Susan Nakawuki Nsambu, said the success of the partnership would depend on translating agreements into sustainable commercial relationships.
“The value of this partnership lies not simply in the meetings we hold, but in the relationships we build, the businesses we connect, and the opportunities we unlock,” she said.
Nsambu also called for officials from her ministry to be included in familiarisation trips to improve policy coordination and ensure that industry activities align with government priorities.
Uganda’s First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for East African Community Affairs, Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga, delivered the keynote address, calling for tourism cooperation that benefits communities while protecting the region’s natural resources.
“Tourism cooperation must go beyond promoting destinations to empowering local communities, protecting our natural resources and creating sustainable economic opportunities,” Kadaga said.
She urged stakeholders to establish formal cooperation frameworks, promote business-friendly policies, improve transport infrastructure and strengthen visitor safety across the region.
Her remarks underscored the need to address practical challenges that could limit cross-border tourism, including mobility restrictions, transport costs and gaps in regional coordination.
The summit followed a six-day familiarisation tour of Kenya’s coast involving more than 70 Ugandan tour operators, travel agents, hoteliers and Uganda Tourism Board officials.
The visit was intended to expose Ugandan tourism stakeholders to coastal attractions and create opportunities for partnerships with Kenyan operators.
Industry players are also looking to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, which will be co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, as an opportunity to attract more international visitors and promote multi-country travel packages.
The meeting, which began in 2022 as the Uganda–Kenya Coast Tourism Conference, is being held under Uganda’s Economic and Commercial Diplomacy Strategy for 2025/26 to 2029/30.
The strategy tasks Uganda’s diplomatic missions with promoting exports, attracting investment and expanding tourism opportunities abroad.
The latest agreements are expected to provide a framework for deeper cooperation between businesses in the two countries, although their long-term impact will depend on implementation, the removal of trade and travel barriers, and the delivery of the summit’s stated targets.
