Uganda launches $1.6B tourism push from Mbale

What the report says

Uganda has begun a renewed tourism drive from Mbale, in eastern Uganda near Mount Elgon, after the World Health Organization and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention declared the country free of the 2026 Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak. The announcement came around World Tourism Day and was framed by officials as an opportunity to reassure international travelers that Uganda is safe and open for business. President Yoweri Museveni and Tourism Minister Col. (Rtd) Tom Butime both used the moment to argue that the country’s public health response can help restore confidence in the sector.

The Observer reported that tourism remains a major part of Uganda’s economy, supporting more than 876,000 jobs. It said the country received 1.64 million international arrivals in 2025, generating about $1.62 billion in foreign exchange and nearly 6% of national GDP. The government is now aiming to turn online interest into actual bookings and longer stays, while also spreading visitor spending beyond traditional safari destinations.

A key part of the strategy is a broader regional tourism circuit centered on the Elgon area, including waterfalls, hiking, cultural Imbalu ceremonies and coffee-related experiences. Officials also highlighted a new wildlife education centre in Mbale as an anchor for the area. The report said the sector has been allocated Shs 567 billion for the 2026/27 financial year to support marketing and technology tools, including AI-based destination promotion.

More broadly, the piece argues that Uganda is trying to pair health security, digital marketing and domestic tourism to make the industry more resilient after the Ebola scare and other external shocks.