The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party has unveiled plans to make tourism a central pillar of its development agenda, arguing that a well-funded and well-managed sector can transform local economies, create jobs, and finance national development.
According to Lubega Walid, the FDC Deputy Secretary for Publicity, the party has called on the government to urgently address what he described as chronic underfunding and mismanagement of the tourism sector, despite its 9% contribution to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
While addressing journalists on Monday, September 28th, 2026, at the party headquarters, Walid said that the party wants increased funding for the sector.
“Raise the sector’s budget allocation to a level that reflects its 9% contribution to GDP, and ensure funds approved by Parliament are actually released rather than cut mid-year,” Walid said.
He also demanded the rehabilitation of tourism roads, starting with the access road to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, noting that poor road infrastructure continues to undermine access to major tourist sites.
The party also linked tourism growth to human rights and Uganda’s international image.
“Immediately end the abduction of citizens by security agencies, account for all persons reported missing, and uphold the rule of law. No tourism marketing can succeed when the world sees Uganda as unsafe for its own citizens,” Walid noted.
He also called on the government to engage the United States and United Arab Emirates over ongoing travel restrictions.
“Come clean on travel restrictions: Engage the governments of the US and UAE transparently on the scientific basis for continuing restrictions, and publicly explain to Ugandans why Rwanda was not subjected to the same measures,” he stated.
Walid concluded that tourism can work for Uganda, but only if the government stops treating it as a photo opportunity and starts treating it as an economic priority.
However, according to the Ministry of Tourism, the Ugandan government has earmarked tourism as a top priority for investment. For the 2026/2027 financial year, the government allocated UGX 571.5 billion directly to tourism development and marketing.
There is also aggressive infrastructure development, such as upgrading national park accessibility roads and supporting local conservation, which aims to scale tourism earnings to over USD 2.5 billion annually over the coming years.
