Four airstrips to be renovated to boost tourism in Uganda

The government of Uganda has directed the renovation of four airstrips in the country to promote tourism. The airstrips of Kasese, Kidepo Pakuba, Kisoro, and another location will be tarmacked and coded to facilitate easy access for tourists with private jets to the surrounding tourism sites.


This will enable tourists from around the world to fly directly to these destinations without having to go through Kampala or Entebbe for journey connections. The government plans to install immigration posts at all four airfields to cater to these visitors. The move is expected to significantly boost the country's tourism industry, which has been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic.


The proposed budget for the sector for the 2023/24 financial year has been revised to 214 billion shillings, up from 89.2 billion shillings. The government has also identified four priority areas for developing the industry.


The attendees were reminded by the secretary-general of the East African Community, Jean Havigimana, that tourism had been designated as a priority sector in the EAC treaty and that the partner states had promised to jointly promote and market it. He claimed that major achievements had been made in carrying out collaborative activities in the industry, including the creation of the East African hotel grading criteria, the establishment of minimum requirements for tour guides and operators, and the introduction of a single tourist visa by some partner governments.


Jean Havigimana, the secretary-general of the East African Community, reminded the audience that the partner states had agreed to jointly market and promote tourism, which had been recognized as a priority industry in the EAC treaty.

He asserted that significant accomplishments had been made in carrying out cooperative activities in the sector, such as the development of the East African hotel grading criteria, the establishment of minimal standards for tour guides and operators, and the implementation of a single tourist visa by some partner governments.