President Museveni Urges Ugandans to Embrace Tourism, Warns Against Wetland Destruction

MBALE CITY — President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has urged Ugandans to embrace tourism, agriculture and other wealth-creation sectors, emphasising the need to protect the environment and invest in infrastructure to unlock the country's economic potential.

The President made the remarks on Sunday, September 27, 2026, while presiding over celebrations to mark World Tourism Day at Mbale Secondary School grounds in Mbale City, where he highlighted Uganda's natural attractions and favourable climate as key assets that could strengthen the country's tourism industry.

Museveni said Uganda possesses a unique combination of natural attractions, including the snow-capped Rwenzori Mountains, diverse wildlife and a favourable climate, which he said could attract tourists from across the world.

"Uganda has what Europe has and what Europe doesn't have, including the snow-capped Rwenzori Mountains and our favourable climate," Museveni said, urging Ugandans to take advantage of the country's tourism potential.

He noted that tourism is a major global industry, estimated to be worth approximately USD 11.6 trillion, and called for deliberate efforts to position Uganda to benefit from the sector's expanding economic opportunities.

 Golola Moses of Uganda with green scarf in Mbale

The President's remarks centred on the importance of wealth creation, urging Ugandans to embrace the four sectors of wealth creation as a means of improving household incomes and contributing to national economic transformation.

He emphasised that tourism presents opportunities for communities to generate income through hospitality, transport, cultural experiences, agriculture and other tourism-related businesses.

Museveni also linked tourism development to environmental conservation, warning that the destruction of wetlands and other natural resources threatens the country's economic prospects and the livelihoods of future generations.

He argued that protecting the environment is essential not only for tourism but also for agriculture and electricity generation, all of which depend on sustainable management of natural resources.

"If you love tourism, agriculture and want electricity, you must be against environmental destruction. Those who destroy wetlands are enemies of the future," Museveni said.

The President's warning highlights the importance of conserving wetlands, which play a significant role in water regulation, biodiversity protection and maintaining ecological balance.

He stressed that environmental protection should be treated as a shared responsibility, particularly as Uganda seeks to expand its tourism industry and strengthen other productive sectors of the economy.

Beyond environmental conservation, Museveni called for improved infrastructure to support tourism and economic activities, particularly in mountainous areas of eastern Uganda.

He specifically pointed to the need to extend last-mile infrastructure to areas such as Bududa and Manjiya, saying improved connectivity would make it easier for communities to access essential services, link up with markets and participate in economic activities.

The President noted that better infrastructure would also support tourism by improving access to attractions and connecting local communities to the wider economy.

His remarks come amid growing attention to the tourism potential of eastern Uganda, which boasts attractions associated with Mount Elgon, the Sipi Falls area and the surrounding cultural heritage of the Bugisu sub-region. 

Museveni also commended the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) and the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities for what he described as renewed efforts to promote tourism and conservation.

''I am glad that UWA and the Ministry of Tourism have woken up from kugona (sleep)," he said, using the Luganda word for sleep to underscore his satisfaction with what he viewed as increased activity by the two institutions.

His comments highlighted the importance of strengthening institutional efforts to market Uganda as a tourist destination, protect wildlife and develop tourism infrastructure.

World Tourism Day, observed annually on September 27, provides an opportunity to highlight tourism's contribution to economic development, employment creation, cultural exchange and environmental conservation. Uganda's celebrations in Mbale brought attention to the country's natural and cultural heritage, as well as the need to ensure that tourism development translates into economic opportunities for local communities.

Museveni's message combined calls for investment in tourism, environmental protection and infrastructure development, emphasising that Uganda's natural resources can contribute significantly to national development if they are sustainably managed.

He urged Ugandans to recognise the economic opportunities available in tourism and other wealth-creation sectors while safeguarding the natural environment on which these activities depend.