Uganda’s tourism leaders and private sector investors have sounded the alarm over persistent challenges undermining the country’s competitiveness as a destination, urging government to accelerate reforms that could unlock the sector’s full potential.The concerns were raised during a high-level roundtable breakfast meeting at Speke Resort Munyonyo, organized by the Presidential CEO Forum ahead of the forthcoming 6th bi-annual private sector retreat in Fort Portal. The dialogue brought together senior government officials, presidential advisers on tourism, cultural institutions, tour operators, hoteliers, consultants, and development partners.Speaking on behalf of the State Minister for Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Dr. Basil Ajer, Director of Tourism, emphasized the urgency of activating the entire tourism value chain. “If we are to position Uganda competitively, we must activate the entire tourism value chain,” Dr. Ajer said. He noted that Uganda’s return on investment in tourism averages 14 percent, while return on equity ranges between 20–25 percent, making the sector one of the most viable engines of growth. He pledged to convene an inter-ministerial meeting to harmonize solutions, with outcomes escalated to the Office of the Prime Minister.The Executive Director of the National Planning Authority, Dr. Joseph Muvawala, described the current moment as a “turning point” for Uganda’s economy and tourism sector. He highlighted fiscal constraints, noting that while Uganda’s national budget stands at UGX 72 trillion, only UGX 32 trillion is generated domestically, with the rest financed through borrowing. “To change course, the economy must multiply three times in the next five years, growing at about 10 percent annually,” he said, challenging the private sector to scale tourism tenfold within 15 years. “This sector must become more private-sector driven. The decisions we make in forums like this one will run the country.”Private sector players outlined a range of concerns, including inaccurate tourism data, underfunded international marketing, poor infrastructure, weak crisis communication, and bureaucratic bottlenecks that deter investors. They called for reforms in tax regimes, stronger road and air connectivity, and more aggressive promotion of Uganda’s “Explore Uganda” brand to compete with regional rivals such as Kenya’s “Magical Kenya” and Rwanda’s polished tourism campaigns.The Munyonyo meeting set the stage for the Top Tourism Investors Summit and wider private sector retreat in Fort Portal, where stakeholders are expected to refine actionable commitments aimed at transforming tourism into a leading driver of Uganda’s economic growth.The post Uganda’s Tourism Investors Call for Urgent Reforms to Unlock Sector Potential appeared first on The Insider.