The tourism industry has proved to be a booming sector in Uganda, recording over 600,000 visitors per year, of which about 100,000 visit the protected areas. It is also a major foreign exchange earner for the country according to Mr Moses Mapesa, the Executive Director of Uganda Wildlife Authority.

Mapesa was speaking recently at a business breakfast meeting organized at Protea Hotel Kampala . According to Mr Mapesa, tourism is emerging as a major boost for Uganda’s economic growth through infrastructure development, employment opportunity, foreign exchange earnings and increased revenue at household levels. He called on participants to woo investors and help increase earnings for the tourism sector by putting up accommodation facilities in the protected areas, a move intended to increase the number of tourists visiting the national parks as well as increase the time spent in the National Parks.

The minister for Tourism, Trade and Industry said government will consider giving Incentives to investors who will be going to put up investments up country.

Uganda is endowed with an amazing array of wildlife including the endangered mountain gorillas. The diversity of culture in Uganda is also an incredible attraction to many tourists.