World Tourism Day: How Mbale Is Reimagining Tourism

What the report says

Mbale’s World Tourism Day celebrations, reported by Nile Post, were used to showcase a wider tourism plan for Uganda’s Elgon region, with officials emphasizing heritage, adventure, culture, coffee, community experiences and technology as parts of a single destination offering. The event centered on Mbale and nearby attractions such as Wanale Hill and Mount Elgon, with the aim of encouraging visitors to stay longer, spend more and return.

According to the report, President Yoweri Museveni attended the celebrations and framed tourism as a major economic driver that can create jobs, attract investment and expand markets for Ugandan products. He also opened the renovated Mount Elgon Hotel, a property with roots dating to the 1950s, which organizers presented as an example of how heritage sites can support modern tourism growth. The article said Uganda’s tourism sector has continued to recover and remains an important part of the country’s service economy.

The piece also highlighted the practical side of destination-building. Participants took part in a mountain walk on Wanale Hill, illustrating how the region can package adventure experiences alongside cultural and community tourism. Permanent Secretary Doreen Katusiime said Mbale was showcasing Uganda’s mix of nature, culture, history and agriculture, and suggested that the Imbalu season could anchor a broader annual cultural and entertainment calendar.

More broadly, the report argued that Elgon tourism will depend not only on scenic attractions but also on infrastructure, health preparedness, security and digital tools. That approach reflects a wider shift in tourism strategy: moving from single-site visits to connected experiences that bring income to hotels, transport providers, farmers, artisans and local communities.