Kenya Outpaces Regional Rivals in Uganda Visitor Arrivals as Cross-Border Movement Surges Amid 3.7% Increase in 2026

Kenya leads Uganda tourism growth as international travel arrivals rise in 2026, supported by strong regional connectivity, cross-border movement and sustained demand from neighbouring African countries. Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan also remain important contributors to Uganda’s expanding visitor economy. Official tourism statistics highlight the continuing importance of regional travel alongside growing international interest in the destination. For the wider global tourism industry, Uganda’s performance demonstrates how neighbouring source markets support visitor flows, aviation demand and tourism-related spending. The findings also underline opportunities for stronger transport connectivity, diversified visitor experiences and sustainable tourism development across East Africa.

Uganda Tourism Growth in 2026 Highlights the Importance of Regional Travel

Uganda’s tourism industry continued expanding during the first six months of 2026, with international visitor arrivals increasing from 765,307 in the corresponding period of 2025 to 793,815. This represents growth of 3.7%, equivalent to an additional 28,508 visitors. Africa remained the dominant source region, contributing 651,838 arrivals, or 82.1% of the national total. Kenya, Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan were especially important to this performance. Their combined contribution illustrates the significance of neighbouring countries in supporting Uganda’s travel economy. The results also highlight the relationship between regional mobility, tourism expenditure and international transport infrastructure.

• Uganda welcomed 793,815 international visitors between January and June 2026.
• International visitor arrivals increased by 3.7% year on year.
• Africa contributed 651,838 arrivals, maintaining its position as Uganda’s largest source region.
• Kenya and Rwanda together generated 436,968 visitors.
• Uganda recorded tourism receipts of approximately US$631 million.

Kenya Leads Uganda Tourism Arrivals Through Strong Cross-Border Travel Connections

Kenya maintained its position as Uganda’s largest international visitor source market during January–June 2026, generating 249,427 arrivals. Although this was slightly below the 251,497 recorded in 2025, Kenya continued to contribute more international visitors than any other individual country. Its importance reflects geographical proximity, established cross-border movement and economic and social connections between the two East African neighbours. Uganda’s official statistics also identify Malaba and Busia as major road entry points, reinforcing the importance of the Kenya–Uganda border. For tourism businesses, this substantial regional visitor base highlights opportunities for accommodation, destination experiences and transport services.

• Kenya ranked first among Uganda’s international visitor source markets.
• Kenyan arrivals reached 249,427 in the first half of 2026.
• Kenya accounted for approximately 31.4% of Uganda’s total international arrivals.
• Malaba recorded 121,519 international arrivals across all nationalities.
• Busia recorded 81,178 international arrivals across all nationalities.

Rwanda Strengthens Uganda’s Regional Tourism Market With Rising Visitor Arrivals

Rwanda remained Uganda’s second-largest international source market during the first half of 2026, contributing 187,541 visitors compared with 179,257 during the corresponding period in 2025. This represents growth of approximately 4.6%, indicating continued demand for cross-border movement between the neighbouring countries. Rwanda’s performance is significant because its rising arrivals helped support Uganda’s regional tourism market while Kenya experienced a modest decline. The Katuna border crossing recorded 120,266 international arrivals, while Cyanika received 51,369. These figures cover travellers of all nationalities, but they demonstrate the importance of Uganda’s road connections with Rwanda for regional travel and visitor accessibility.

• Rwanda remained Uganda’s second-largest international visitor source market.
• Visitor arrivals from Rwanda reached 187,541.
• Rwanda contributed approximately 23.6% of Uganda’s total international arrivals.
• Arrivals from Rwanda increased by approximately 4.6% year on year.
• Katuna and Cyanika remained important international entry points.

Democratic Republic of Congo Becomes Uganda’s Third-Largest African Visitor Market

The Democratic Republic of Congo emerged as Uganda’s third-largest African source market in the first half of 2026, overtaking South Sudan. Arrivals from the DRC increased from 37,221 in 2025 to 53,214 in 2026, representing growth of approximately 43%. This was one of the strongest percentage increases among Uganda’s major neighbouring source markets. The change highlights the growing contribution of cross-border movements involving the DRC to Uganda’s overall visitor numbers. Mpondwe, an entry point on the Uganda–DRC border, registered 21,930 international arrivals during the period. The statistics demonstrate expanding regional mobility, although they do not identify the individual purposes behind the increase.

• The DRC became Uganda’s third-largest African visitor source market.
• Visitor arrivals reached 53,214 during January–June 2026.
• Arrivals increased by approximately 43% compared with 2025.
• The DRC overtook South Sudan in Uganda’s African source-market ranking.
• Mpondwe recorded 21,930 international arrivals from all nationalities.

South Sudan Remains a Major Uganda Tourism Source Market Despite Lower Arrivals

South Sudan retained an important position in Uganda’s international visitor market despite recording fewer arrivals during the first half of 2026. The country generated 44,041 visitors, compared with 46,994 in the corresponding period of 2025. This represented a decline of approximately 6.3%, moving South Sudan from third to fourth place among Uganda’s African source markets. Nevertheless, its contribution remained significant within the broader East African regional travel system. Elegu, an important Uganda–South Sudan border crossing, recorded 64,376 international arrivals across all nationalities. The results underline South Sudan’s continuing relevance to Uganda’s cross-border connectivity, visitor services and regional transport activity.

• South Sudan ranked fourth among Uganda’s African visitor source markets.
• Arrivals from South Sudan reached 44,041.
• Visitor numbers declined by approximately 6.3% year on year.
• South Sudan remained an important regional source market despite the decline.
• Elegu registered 64,376 international arrivals across all nationalities.

Uganda Aviation and Border Connectivity Support International Tourism Growth

International travel to Uganda depends on both air transport and extensive road connections with neighbouring countries. During the first half of 2026, Entebbe International Airport received 237,509 international visitors, representing 29.9% of total arrivals. Road entry points accounted for the remaining 70.1%, demonstrating the importance of overland mobility. Entebbe’s airport arrivals increased by 4.7% compared with 2025, while road arrivals grew by 3.3%. These figures underline the complementary roles of aviation and cross-border transport. For airlines and tourism operators, the data provides useful evidence of international travel demand, although it does not establish individual airline performance or seat-capacity trends.

• Entebbe International Airport recorded 237,509 international visitor arrivals.
• Air arrivals increased by 4.7% compared with the corresponding period in 2025.
• Road entry points handled 556,306 international visitors.
• Road arrivals increased by 3.3% year on year.
• Entebbe, Malaba and Katuna together handled approximately 60.4% of all international arrivals.

Uganda Tourism Revenue Expands as Longer International Visits Support the Travel Economy

Uganda’s inbound tourism receipts reached approximately UGX 2.30 trillion, equivalent to US$631 million, during January–June 2026. This represented an increase of 25.6% compared with the same period in 2025, substantially exceeding the growth rate in international arrivals. The average length of stay increased from 7.4 to 8.3 nights, indicating that visitors spent more time in the country. Accommodation, travel agencies, food and beverage services, and passenger transport collectively accounted for 69.6% of inbound tourism expenditure. Nevertheless, average daily spending per visitor decreased slightly, demonstrating that higher national tourism receipts did not translate into increased expenditure across every spending indicator.

• Tourism receipts increased by 25.6% year on year.
• The average international visitor stay reached 8.3 nights.
• Accommodation represented 27.9% of inbound tourism expenditure.
• Food and beverage services accounted for 16.2% of expenditure.
• Average spending per visitor per night declined from US$98 to US$95.

Uganda’s Expanding Overseas Tourism Markets Complement East African Visitor Demand

Although neighbouring African countries continued to dominate Uganda’s visitor arrivals, overseas source markets also recorded substantial expansion. Europe generated 49,137 arrivals during January–June 2026, representing growth of 28.6%, while the Americas contributed 28,650 visitors, an increase of 14.1%. The United States became Uganda’s largest individual overseas source market, overtaking India. The United Kingdom remained the largest European source market, followed by Germany. China also recorded higher visitor numbers, despite a broader decline in arrivals from Asia. This combination of regional demand and overseas market diversification highlights Uganda’s growing international reach, while demonstrating that market performance varied considerably by country.

• Europe recorded 28.6% growth in visitor arrivals.
• The Americas registered a 14.1% increase.
• The United States became Uganda’s leading individual overseas source market.
• The United Kingdom maintained its position as the largest European source market.
• Asia recorded a 4.9% decline, despite increased arrivals from China.

Uganda Travel and Tourism Impact: Regional Connectivity Creates Opportunities for Airlines, Hotels and Tour Operators

The rise in Uganda’s international travel arrivals carries implications for tourism operators, accommodation providers and transport businesses. Strong visitor demand from Kenya and Rwanda creates a substantial regional customer base, while increasing arrivals from the DRC suggest additional cross-border travel opportunities. Longer average stays may support demand for extended accommodation and multi-destination itineraries. However, national park visitation fell by 7.9%, and the hotel occupancy survey recorded an overall rate of 49.8% for January–April 2026. These contrasting indicators demonstrate why tourism investment decisions require more than headline arrivals data. Operators must distinguish growing inbound travel from the performance of individual leisure segments.

• Strong regional arrivals support the case for maintaining efficient international road connections.
• Increasing airport arrivals provide an indication of inbound air travel demand.
• Longer stays create opportunities for extended itineraries and accommodation services.
• Declining national park attendance shows that wildlife tourism has not benefited uniformly from overall visitor growth.
• Different hotel occupancy trends across Uganda’s regions highlight the importance of destination-specific investment analysis.

Conclusion

Kenya continues to lead Uganda tourism growth, reinforcing the importance of neighbouring countries in supporting international travel arrivals during 2026. Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan remain essential contributors to the country’s regional visitor economy, although their individual performance varies. Growing overseas interest adds another dimension to Uganda’s expanding tourism market, while improving tourism receipts and longer stays demonstrate broader economic opportunities. The findings highlight the importance of reliable transport connections, accessible destinations and diversified visitor experiences. Uganda’s long-term tourism prospects will depend on translating regional travel demand into sustainable growth across aviation, accommodation, attractions and hospitality services.

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