Uganda, Kenya Private Sector: Sign 3 Tourism Trade Investment MoUs

• Ugandan and Kenyan private sector bodies signed three Memoranda of Understanding on tourism, trade, and investment at a recent summit in Mombasa.
• These agreements aim to foster sustainable tourism, enhance regional integration, and boost cross-border trade between the two nations.
• A key policy outcome is the planned review of EAC Treaty Article 104 to address barriers to the free movement of people, labor, and services.
• Government representatives are expected to sign a joint declaration for the EAC Secretariat, with a communiqué detailing commitments due within two weeks.
• The initiatives support a "Beach to Bush" tourism concept and align with Uganda's Ten-Fold Growth Strategy, targeting significant economic expansion by 2040.

Lawyers and compliance officers should closely monitor the upcoming joint declaration and the planned EAC Treaty Article 104 review.

Private sector entities from Uganda and Kenya recently formalized three significant Uganda Kenya tourism trade investment MoUs during a regional gathering in Mombasa. These agreements were executed on the inaugural day of the fifth Uganda-Kenya Coast Tourism and Innovation Summit, held at the Sarova Whitesands Beach Resort & Spa on October 26 and 27. The summit aimed to foster closer collaboration and move beyond mere promotional activities towards concrete policy actions and measurable outcomes.

Among the key Uganda Kenya private sector agreements, the Association of Uganda Tour Operators (AUTO) and the Kenya Association of Tour Operators (KATO) signed a pact focused on advancing sustainable tourism practices and enhancing regional tourism cooperation throughout East Africa. Separately, the Uganda Association of Travel Agents (TUGATA) and the Kenya Association of Travel Agents (KATA) inked an MoU specifically for implementing the Uganda-Kenya Coast Tourism Collaboration. This particular document outlines a cooperative framework designed to spur innovation, attract investment, encourage youth participation, and deepen regional integration.

Further solidifying cross-border economic ties, the Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU) and the Mombasa chapter of the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) entered into an MoU covering broader trade, investment, and private-sector cooperation. The successful signing of these three memoranda was a primary objective set by the organizers for this year's Mombasa Summit tourism trade event, which was convened by Uganda's Consulate General in Mombasa. The gathering brought together a diverse group including government officials, tour operators, technology developers, and investors, all operating under the theme "Unlocking Tourism Opportunities: Resolving Policy Bottlenecks through Technology, Youth and Seamless Mobility across East Africa."

A crucial element emerging from the recent summit is the planned review of Article 104 of the East African Community (EAC) Treaty. This specific article governs the free movement of people, labor, and services within the community, and its re-evaluation is intended to identify and address existing barriers to seamless cross-border travel between Uganda and Kenya. This initiative underscores a strategic shift towards tackling policy bottlenecks directly, a central tenet of the summit's overarching theme.

Government representatives participating in the discussions are expected to formalize their commitments by signing a joint declaration. This declaration will then be submitted to the EAC Secretariat, signaling a concerted effort to implement changes that could significantly impact regional mobility. Furthermore, a communiqué detailing institutional commitments and specific deadlines is anticipated within two weeks of the summit's conclusion. This document will serve as a roadmap, with its progress slated for review at the 2027 summit, ensuring accountability and sustained focus on the agreed-upon objectives.

Lawyers and compliance officers should closely monitor the upcoming joint declaration and the planned EAC Treaty Article 104 review. These developments hold the potential for substantial policy changes affecting the cross-border movement of people, labor, services, and trade between Uganda and Kenya. Such shifts could directly influence client operations and compliance requirements, necessitating proactive engagement with evolving regulatory landscapes. Existing trade barriers are also being addressed through the established Uganda-Kenya Joint Permanent Commission, with calls for practical, time-bound solutions to facilitate smoother economic interactions.

The strategic importance of these agreements and policy initiatives is underscored by the growing volume of travel between the two East African nations. Data from the Uganda Tourism Board indicates a rise in Kenyan visitors to Uganda, from 466,902 in 2024 to 519,041 in 2025. Concurrently, Kenya Tourism Board figures show 234,556 Ugandan arrivals in Kenya in 2025, positioning Uganda as one of Kenya's most significant source markets, with Kenya targeting 300,000 Ugandan visitors this year. This upward trend highlights the economic potential inherent in fostering greater collaboration rather than competition.

Ambassador Herbert Kiguli, Uganda's Consul General in Mombasa, articulated this collaborative vision, emphasizing a complementary approach. He highlighted the "Beach to Bush, Bush to Beach" concept, which aims to integrate Kenya's coastal attractions with Uganda's rich natural and cultural heritage, creating a combined package for mutual benefit. This strategy moves away from rivalry, seeking instead to leverage each country's unique offerings to enhance the overall regional tourism experience.

Beyond tourism, these efforts align with Uganda's broader economic ambitions. Ambassador Charles Ssentongo, Chief of Protocol at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who represented the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, affirmed the government's commitment to facilitating and advocating for tourism stakeholders. He identified tourism as one of four critical sectors—alongside agriculture, minerals, and science, technology, and innovation—underpinning Uganda's Ten-Fold Growth Strategy. This ambitious plan seeks to expand Uganda's economy from approximately $50 billion to $500 billion by 2040, making the success of these cross-border initiatives vital. The summit also set targets for securing at least two digital tourism prototypes for commercial backing and establishing at least 10 business-to-business links between Ugandan and Kenyan coastal operators, with progress to be tracked over three months, further cementing the focus on tangible results.

Lawyers and compliance officers should monitor the upcoming joint declaration and the planned review of EAC Treaty Article 104, as these developments could lead to significant policy changes affecting cross-border movement of people, labor, services, and trade between Uganda and Kenya, impacting client operations and compliance requirements.

Source: Original reporting based on industry insights.