Uganda Warns Airline Controversy Could Undermine Its Tourism Growth Momentum
Senior government officials in Uganda have raised a red flag about the damaging effects of ongoing negative attention directed at the country's national carrier, Uganda Airlines. According to the country's leadership, the fallout is already being felt across the broader tourism industry, with booking numbers reportedly dropping.
During the launch of a high-level management retreat in Jinja, Minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities Colonel Tom Butime made a strong appeal for responsible handling of issues related to the airline. He stressed that aviation and tourism are deeply connected, and that bad press around a national airline does not only hurt the carrier itself but casts a shadow over the entire destination. "If you look at the bookings, they may have declined sharply," the minister noted, expressing hope that the situation would be resolved swiftly.
The three-day gathering, held at the Crested Crane Hotel, brought together top officials and heads of agencies under the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities. The event carried the theme "Reflecting, Transforming and Aligning for Competitive Tourism Destinations" and was designed to take stock of the sector's progress, close operational gaps, and sharpen the country's strategy for attracting more visitors.
Butime used the occasion to draw a contrast between the airline situation and how leadership changes at other public tourism bodies have been managed. He pointed to smooth transitions at the Uganda Tourism Board and the Uganda Wildlife Authority, where outgoing executives were replaced without public drama. His message was clear: institutional changes should be handled with calm professionalism, not in ways that generate unwanted headlines and erode public trust.
Despite the current turbulence, there is also reason for optimism. The minister shared an encouraging milestone, revealing that Uganda's tourism sector surpassed its pre-pandemic visitor numbers in 2025 for the first time since the global health crisis disrupted international travel. This achievement signals genuine resilience within the industry and validates the recovery strategies that have been put in place over recent years.
Permanent Secretary Doreen Katusiime reinforced the importance of tourism as a national economic driver, describing it as one of the country's financial pillars. She called on all agencies to plan with greater purpose and coordination. "Government made tourism one of the strategic sectors. We must plan and strategise to ensure sustained growth and competitiveness," she said, underlining the need for all stakeholders to pull in the same direction.
For professionals across the African travel trade, this development in Uganda carries important lessons. Air connectivity remains one of the most decisive factors in destination competitiveness. When confidence in a national airline weakens, the ripple effects can reach far beyond seat sales. Tour operators, accommodation providers, ground handlers, and destination marketers all feel the impact. Agents selling Uganda as a safari and adventure destination should keep a close eye on how the airline situation evolves and be ready to advise clients accordingly.
The retreat is expected to produce a refreshed strategic plan focused on destination marketing, service delivery improvements, conservation priorities, and better use of air connectivity to grow arrivals. These are areas where African tourism professionals can find opportunity, particularly as Uganda continues to position itself as a leading regional hub for wildlife tourism and eco-travel.
As the East African nation works to protect its hard-earned recovery, the message from its leadership is unmistakable: reputation management in aviation is not just an airline issue — it is a tourism survival issue. Those who sell and promote Uganda in the marketplace would do well to stay informed about these developments as they unfold in the weeks ahead.
