More than 750 delegates are expected to attend the fourth Uganda–Kenya Coast Tourism Conference and Exhibition, which will take place on October 27–28, 2025, at Ocean Beach Resort and Spa in Malindi, Kilifi County.
The event, organized by the Consulate General of Uganda in Mombasa in partnership with tourism stakeholders from both countries, aims to strengthen cross-border tourism, increase visitor numbers, and promote joint destination marketing.
The conference comes shortly after a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on July 30, 2025, between the governments of Uganda and Kenya to enhance tourism cooperation.
Since 2022, the Uganda–Kenya Coast Partnership has been working to combine the best tourism products from both countries into attractive packages. This strategy is paying off:
In 2024, 466,000 Kenyans visited Uganda, making Kenya Uganda’s biggest tourism market.
At the same time, 225,559 Ugandans traveled to Kenya, ranking Uganda as Kenya’s second-largest source market after the United States.
Uganda is famous for gorilla trekking, chimpanzee tracking, and cultural tourism, while Kenya’s coastal region offers white sandy beaches, marine parks, and rich historical sites.
“On beaches, we cannot compete with the Kenyan coast. But Kenya does not have the silverback gorilla,” said Ambassador Paul Mukumbya, Uganda’s Consul General in Mombasa. “Why not promote these products together so a tourist coming for beaches can also enjoy gorilla trekking in Uganda?”
This year’s conference will run under the theme:
“Leveraging Youth Innovation and Technology for Responsive and Inclusive Tourism.”
The discussions will focus on:
Digital solutions for tourism
Heritage and cultural tourism
Smart destinations
Youth-led innovation and virtual tourism
The goal is to encourage young entrepreneurs to use technology to create sustainable tourism businesses.
A familiarization trip for tour operators from October 22–29 to experience coastal attractions first-hand.
A golf tournament on October 25 at Vipingo Ridge, targeting high-spending tourists.
Showcasing of community-based tourism projects and joint tourism circuits from Uganda’s gorilla sanctuaries to Kenya’s beaches.
Mung’aro praised the partnership as a “transformative force” for tourism and local communities.
“Tourism is more than numbers. It is about people and the planet. It must empower communities, protect natural heritage, and showcase culture with dignity,” he said.
Mung’aro also called for:
Unified branding for East African destinations
Better transport links between Uganda and Kenya
More investment in local communities
The private sector, airlines, and national tourism boards are also playing a key role. For example, Uganda Airlines is promoting the Entebbe–Mombasa route, while the Kenya Tourism Board supports marketing and events.
This conference is not just a meeting—it’s a gateway to making East Africa a top tourism destination. By combining the wildlife adventures of Uganda with the beach experiences of Kenya, the two countries aim to attract more visitors, create jobs, and grow the economy.
