Ugandan tourism stakeholders are calling for a review of air transport policies within the East African Community (EAC) to lower travel costs and boost tourism and trade, as visitor numbers between Kenya and Uganda continue to rise.

A delegation of more than 50 Ugandan tour operators, travel agents, hoteliers and travel influencers has arrived at the Kenyan Coast for a familiarization trip organised by the Consulate General of the Republic of Uganda in Mombasa in collaboration with tourism stakeholders in the coastal region.

The trip comes ahead of the 5th Uganda-Kenya Coast Tourism and Innovation Summit, scheduled for October 26-27, 2026, at Sarova Whitesands Beach Resort & Spa in Mombasa.

Over the next few days, the delegation will experience the Coast’s tourism offerings firsthand, including its beaches, marine parks, heritage and cultural sites, as well as hotels and resorts across Mombasa, Kilifi, Kwale and Taita Taveta counties.

The objective is to equip the delegates with firsthand knowledge of the region’s tourism products, so they can confidently package and market the Kenyan Coast in Uganda, while developing joint tourism offerings with Kenyan partners.

Some members of the delegation will also participate in the Uganda-Kenya Coast Open golf tournament at Vipingo Ridge on October 24 before proceeding to the summit.

The visit builds on a tourism corridor that has recorded growth in both directions. According to the Kenya Tourism Board (KTB), arrivals from Uganda to Kenya increased by about 16 per cent, from 201,623 in 2024 to 234,556 in 2025, making Uganda Kenya’s second-largest source market.

Over the same period, the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) recorded an increase in Kenyan visitors to Uganda of about 11 per cent, from 466,902 to 519,041.

Combined, the two countries recorded more than 750,000 cross-border visitors in 2025. Both tourism sectors also posted record earnings.

According to the Tourism Research Institute, Kenya’s tourism earnings rose to Sh501.3 billion in 2025, while Uganda’s tourism receipts reached UGX 5.83 trillion, equivalent to about US$1.62 billion, according to the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities. Kenya is targeting 300,000 arrivals from Uganda in 2026.

Consul General of the Republic of Uganda in Mombasa, Ambas. Herbert Kiguli, said tourist movement between the two countries had been on an upward trajectory, noting that bilateral tourism had continued despite global shocks and pandemics.

“The beauty about this tourism is that it is not very much affected by shocks; as you hear of Ebola, you hear of COVID, but Kenyans continue travelling to Uganda. Ugandans continue travelling to Kenya freely. That is not happening with our friends. For them, they issue advisories immediately without even understanding,” said Ambassador Kiguli.

On air transport, the ambassador said policymakers had been urged to treat the East African region as a single market, arguing that high taxes had made air travel expensive and slowed the movement of people between member states.

“Tourists find it very expensive to travel from Nairobi to Entebbe or Mombasa to Entebbe. Actually, you find that travelling from London to Paris you just need about $50. Here you use $400 or $500,” said Kiguli.

He emphasised the need to review air transport policies and exempt travellers from certain taxes, expressing confidence that the summit would produce resolutions that could be presented to the East African Community for consideration.

Brian Tuhaisi, a Ugandan tour operator, said the Kenyan Coast offered diverse tourism experiences, including marine tourism, culture and history, while Uganda was renowned for its wildlife attractions, including what he described as the Big Seven.

“We are looking at how we can combine both products. This is not about who will win, but we are looking at complementing each other in selling products from both countries, Uganda and Kenya,” said Tuhaisi.

He added that Ugandan operators were keen to tap into the Kenyan Coast’s diverse tourism offerings, while encouraging international visitors to extend their trips to Uganda, a landlocked country with its own range of attractions.

“As a tour operator, I am looking at seamless travel. How can tour operators in Uganda work together with tour operators at the Kenyan Coast and also have accommodation at the Coast having direct bookings?” said Tuhaisi.

Wycliffe Lusimba, another Ugandan tour operator, said East Africa had for too long relied heavily on international tourists, arguing that closer collaboration between Kenya and Uganda could help stimulate domestic and regional tourism.

“Most of the time, rich people conduct their weddings here but we want to tell people that it is not only about money but good planning and talking with Kenyans nicely. If Europeans come and they are welcomed, you will also be welcome. We want to strengthen our collaboration,” said Lusimba, adding that Uganda was safe.

Jane Namugga, a Ugandan tour operator, echoed the call for closer cooperation, saying Kenya and Uganda were closely connected and should support each other amid concerns surrounding the Ebola outbreak.

“The Ebola situation has already happened in Uganda; it has just happened in Kenya, but that alone is killing the tourism industry. We should work together to see that we don’t get trouble with the international community.

“How do we help each other in this kind of situation? They should continue to lift this industry because it is a big industry that adds to the GDP of both economies,” she added.

By Sadik Hassan