NAIROBI, Kenya, May 24 – Kenya is targeting a 27 percent increase in tourist arrivals from Uganda this year, aiming to grow the number to 300,000 visitors by December 2025.
The move builds on existing strong cultural and logistical ties, with improved road and air connectivity and visa-free travel within Africa cited as key enablers.
Speaking at the official opening of the Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo (POATE) in Kampala, Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife, Rebecca Miano, said the government is leveraging the East African Community (EAC) brand “Visit East Africa: Feel the Vibe” to enhance cross-border tourism.
“Uganda is a vital tourism partner for Kenya, contributing over 225,000 visitors in 2024. We are here to reaffirm our commitment to joint marketing, integrated experiences, and closer cooperation,” Miano told attendees at the Speke Resort Munyonyo.
Uganda remains Kenya’s top source market within Africa and second globally after the United States.
The Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo, now in its 11th edition, has brought together over 260 exhibitors, 70 international buyers, and thousands of industry professionals.
Kenya is showcasing a wide range of offerings aimed at Ugandan travelers — from beach destinations to weddings, MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions), and sports tourism.
The country is also positioning itself as a regional shopping destination, buoyed by major malls and global retail brands.
Miano highlighted the success of the “WRC Tugende Kenya” campaign, which has attracted thousands of Ugandan motorsport fans to the annual Safari Rally.
Around 33,000 regional visitors, most of them Ugandans, attended the rally in Kenya last year.
The Tourism CS said these efforts demonstrate the power of regional cooperation in rebuilding the tourism sector after the pandemic and fostering sustainable economic growth within the EAC bloc.
