The Minister of State for Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities Hon. Martin Mugarra Bahinduka has urged Russian moguls to take interest in the virgin investment schemes the Ugandan tourism sector boasts.
Hon. Mugarra made the call in his remarks at the Africa-Russia Tourism and Business Session which was part of the Let’s Travel Russia Forum, Russia’s anchor event in the tourism and hospitality sector running from June 12th to June 16th at the All-Russian Exhibition Centre in Moscow.
The Let’s Travel Russian Tourism Forum is one of the most influential events in the tourism industry and showcases the tourism potential of Russia and foreign countries and opportunities for all types of tourism.
“In Uganda if you want to invest in tourism, let’s say start a hotel, we will give you land, incentives like tax waivers on a couple of products and make it as easy as possible for you to get started. We also allow 100% repatriation of profits for investors who choose so because you will have already contributed to the economic development of the country through taxes and employment creation,” Minister Mugarra said.
The Minister highlighted key aspects that make Uganda a worthy business venture including the numerous natural resources such as the high concentration of primates in Kibale, home to more than half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas, source of the world’s longest river, Nile, vast national parks and wildlife reserves “and most importantly, the friendliness and hospitality of the Ugandan people.”
“Africa is still virgin as regards investment and particularly in the tourism sector. An example is the air transport sphere where most African countries are just getting started in the business. Uganda airlines was re-launched a few years ago and there are areas of investment there in,” he noted.
The Forum provides a platform for business networking between stakeholders to discuss current issues in the industry, public policy, and the investment climate in the tourism sector.
The event also includes a major tourism festival at which Uganda was well represented. Uganda exhibited at the Tourism Exhibition and the minister noted that the stall was “by far the busiest.”
“Together with our Ambassador H.E Hon. Kizige, we visited our stall at the Let’s Travel Russia Tourism Exhibition and we were amazed by the good job being done by the Ugandan exhibitors. Our stall was by far the busiest. Kudos to our ambassador and the entire team for putting this together,” Hon. Mugarra posted on X.
African Tourism Board and Roscongress Foundation partnership
On 12 June on the sidelines of the Let’s Travel! Russian Tourism Forum, African Tourism Board Executive Chairman Dr. Cuthbert Simphiwe Ncube and Roscongress Foundation CEO Alexander Stuglev signed a Memorandum of Understanding to bolster commerce and tourism between Russia and Africa.
Roscongress Foundation is Russia’s high-profile organization and major organizer of nationwide and international conventions, exhibitions, and business, public, youth, sporting, and cultural events both in Russia and beyond.
In his remarks, African Tourism Board Chairman Ncube noted that the partnership is a springboard for tourism collaboration between Africa and Russia.
“This partnership paves the way for a new era of tourism collaboration between Africa and Russia, driving economic growth, job creation, and cultural exchange. By working together, we can unlock new opportunities and create a more interconnected and prosperous world,” Ncube said.
According to the statement issued by the Russian Tourism Forum, the Cooperation between Russia and the African continent also aims to attract international tourism organizations, ministers of tourism, and leading travel companies operating in the domestic and international tourism markets to Africa and Russia.