By: Ismael Kasooha
KAMPALA
President Yoweri Museveni has called upon African countries to work together in order to unlock Africa’s Tourism full potential.
“We must recognize that tourism, by its nature, thrives on cooperation. No single country can stand alone in today’s interconnected tourism market. Collaboration is the key to unlocking the sector’s full potential,” noted Museveni.
This was contained in his speech delivered by the Prime Minister of Uganda Rt. Hon. Nabbanja Robinah at the opening of the 2025 Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo (POATE) at Speke Resort and Conference Centre Munyonyo in Kampala.
Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja delivering the president’s message at teh opening of the 2025 POATE in Munyonyo
Winston Churchill called Uganda the ‘Pearl of Africa’ because of the beautiful sceneries of flora and fauna in 1908 and since then Uganda is the best tourism destination in Africa.
For Uganda to showcase what Winston Churchill described, the country is hosting the Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo 2025 which has attracted over 50 countries worldwide and over 300 exhibitors. At the opening ceremony, cultural beauty and traditional dance from all parts of the country was exhibited to the delight of many people.
“This expo stands as a gateway not only to Uganda; but to the larger East African Community and the rest of Africa. It provides a vital platform for the formation of cross-border networks, trade synergies and investment opportunities that will benefit all the participating nations,” Museveni noted.
The President commended East African Countries for promoting Tourism as a single tourism destination through the single tourist visa.
Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja (left) and other Ministers at the Karamojong Cultural stall during the POATE 2025 at Munyonyo
“I thank all the East African countries for promoting tourism integration. Through collaborative instruments, such as the Single Tourist Visa, the East African Tourism Marketing Strategy and the East African Tourism Platform, the region is positioning itself as one seamless tourism destination,” he explained.
The Minister for Tourism, WildLife and Antiquities, Col. (Rtd) Tom Butime lauded President Yoweri Museveni for his focused leadership and guidance in growing the tourism sector.
“I want to thank H.E the President for his continued stewardship to transform the tourism sector in Uganda. Funding has greatly improved and infrastructure meant to further develop Tourism has been put in place,” said Butime.
The Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Nabbanja Robinah signing the 2025 POATE board during the opening ceremony at Munyonyo
The scheduled events at POATE which include business-to-business sessions, knowledge exchanges, exhibitions and familiarization trips, have the potential to translate into long-term economic growth, destination visibility and improvement of livelihoods.
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