Uganda’s Mountains hold huge potential for Uganda’s Tourism Sector

The tourism sector remains one of the fastest growing economic sectors in Uganda. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the tourism sector was contributing 6.2% of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (over USD 2bn) and employing 589,300 people – 3.6 % of total employment. The outbreak of COVID-19 has had devastating impacts on the tourism industry with visitors and number of persons employed by the industry going down to about 473,000 and 386,200 respectively in 2020.

Sustainable tourism in mountains can contribute to creating additional and alternative livelihood options and promote poverty alleviation, social inclusion, as well as landscape and biodiversity conservation. It is a way to preserve the natural, cultural, and spiritual heritage, to promote local crafts and high value products, and celebrate many traditional practices such as local festivals.