By Nicholas Banadda.
The Kingdom of Busoga is partnering with central government in boosting tourism sector especially in eastern region.
State mister for tourism Martin Mugara led a government team and paid courtesy visit to Kyabazinga of Busoga William Gabula Nadiope palace.
According to press statement issued by the kingdom press office, the Kyabazinga emphasized the need for Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Ministry to strengthen collaboration in developing tourism sector, particularly in the Busoga sub-region.
“The Kyabazinga expressed gratitude for the existing partnership while calling for its formalization to enhance tourism development in the kingdom.We are grateful for the great initiatives and work you’re doing for us” Kyabazinga said.
According to the statement the Kyabazinga highlighted several significant tourism attractions in the area, including the Source of the Nile, which he hopes will receive UNESCO recognition.
“We have various tourism sites that we believe, if we work with you hand in hand, we shall be in position to develop them since we are strategically located in Uganda,” he noted.
He noted that the institute has been a key partner, providing sponsorships and offering full-board bursaries to students from the kingdom.
Kyabazinga revealed his personal interest in tourism, noting that his father held the same ministerial position (Minister of State for Tourism) in the early 1990s under the same government.
The Minister of State for Tourism, Wildlife, and Antiquities, Hon. Martin Mugarra Bahinduka, revealed that Uganda’s tourism sector has achieved its highest performance in history, with annual revenues climbing to $1.7 billion by the end of 2025.
According to the Minister, the sector saw a sharp increase in international arrivals, growing from 1.3 million visitors in 2024 to 1.65 million in 2025. This surge in footfall directly boosted revenues from $1.28 billion to the current record of $1.7 billion.
Bahinduka was accompanied by the CEO Uganda Tourism Board Juliana Kagwa and her deputy; Dr. Basil Ajer the Director of Tourism in the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities and the Executive Director of the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) Dr. James Musinguzi, and UHTTI’s Principal Richard Kawere among others.
Present from the Busoga Kingdom included; Busoga Kingdom’s Permanent Secretary Sajjabi Godfrey Samanya, Kyabazinga Affairs Minister and Executive Director of Kyabazinga Initiatives (KI) Owek. Babirye Yudaya, KI’s Manager Growth Samuel Niiwo, KI’s Operations Manager Julius Kalugu. ends