Uganda and Kenya's private-sector organisations have signed three memoranda of understanding covering tourism, trade and investment at the fifth Uganda-Kenya Coast Tourism and Innovation Summit, held at the Sarova Whitesands Beach Resort and Spa on 26 and 27 October. The Association of Uganda Tour Operators and the Kenya Association of Tour Operators signed an agreement on promoting sustainable tourism and regional cooperation across East Africa. The Uganda Association of Travel Agents and the Kenya Association of Travel Agents signed a framework for cooperation on innovation, investment, youth participation and regional integration. The Private Sector Foundation Uganda and the Mombasa chapter of the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry signed an MoU on trade, investment and private-sector cooperation.
Signing three memoranda was one of the organisers' targets for this year's summit, which they said marks a shift from tourism promotion towards policy action and measurable results. The summit, convened by Uganda's Consulate General in Mombasa under the theme 'Unlocking Tourism Opportunities: Resolving Policy Bottlenecks through Technology, Youth and Seamless Mobility across East Africa', has brought together government officials, tour operators, technology developers and investors. Organisers also aim to secure at least two digital tourism prototypes ready for commercial backing and establish at least ten business-to-business links between Ugandan and Kenyan coastal operators, with progress tracked over three months.
Travel between the two countries has been growing. Uganda Tourism Board figures showed Kenyan visitors to Uganda increased from 466,902 in 2024 to 519,041 in 2025. Kenya Tourism Board data recorded 234,556 Ugandan arrivals in Kenya in 2025, making Uganda one of Kenya's largest source markets. Kenya is targeting 300,000 Ugandan visitors this year. Ambassador Herbert Kiguli, Uganda's Consul General in Mombasa, said the two countries were promoting their attractions as a combined package rather than rivals. 'Our approach is to embrace complementarity rather than competition, connecting Kenya's coast to Uganda's rich natural and cultural heritage through the Beach to Bush, Bush to Beach concept, for the mutual benefit of both countries,' he said.
Ambassador Charles Ssentongo, representing the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said the government would 'continue to facilitate, work with and advocate for the interests of tourism stakeholders'. Ssentongo described tourism as one of four priority sectors, alongside agriculture, minerals, and science, technology and innovation, that the government is relying on under its Ten-Fold Growth Strategy. The plan aims to grow Uganda's economy from about 50 billion dollars to 500 billion dollars by 2040. Trade barriers are being handled through the Uganda-Kenya Joint Permanent Commission, he said, and called for practical, time-bound solutions.
Susan Nakawuki Nsambu, Uganda's Minister of State for Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, emphasised that partnerships must translate into lasting business relationships. 'The value of this partnership lies not simply in the meetings we hold, but in the relationships we build, the businesses we connect, and the opportunities we unlock,' she said. Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga, Uganda's First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for East African Community Affairs, delivered the keynote address, calling for formal cooperation frameworks, business-friendly policies, better transport infrastructure and improved visitor safety. The summit follows a six-day familiarisation tour of the Kenyan coast by more than 70 Ugandan tour operators, travel agents, hoteliers and Uganda Tourism Board officials. Operators are also hoping to use the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, which Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania will co-host, to attract visitors to both countries.