MUMBAI — Uganda is leveraging new aviation agreements and direct flight routes to target India’s affluent travelers, part of a strategic push to attract 100,000 annual visitors by 2028.
At the Outbound Travel Mart in Mumbai, Ugandan officials are marketing the country to high-yield sectors, including luxury safaris and the Bollywood film industry. The initiative is a joint effort between the Uganda High Commission in India, the Uganda Tourism Board and Uganda Airlines.
The campaign relies heavily on improved logistical connectivity. Following the 2023 launch of direct flights between Entebbe and Mumbai, Uganda Airlines signed an interline agreement with Air India in September 2025. This partnership allows passengers from more than 25 Indian cities to travel to Uganda on a single ticket, reducing travel time and costs.
Ambassador Joyce Kikafunda, Uganda’s high commissioner to India, said India is one of the fastest-growing source markets for international travel due to a rising middle class and increased disposable income. She noted that the Mumbai event provides a critical platform for Uganda to establish itself as a premier destination.
Mumbai is a primary focus for the delegation because it serves as the gateway for 60 percent of India’s outbound travelers. The city is also the headquarters for major tour operators and the Indian film industry, which influences global travel trends.
According to Kikafunda, Indian visitor arrivals in Uganda grew from 34,208 in 2024 to 42,800 in 2025. India currently ranks as the top source of tourists for Uganda outside of East Africa.
The OTM event, which runs through Feb. 7, follows a series of tourism roadshows in New Delhi, Ahmedabad and Mumbai. Brian Mwanika, head of economic and commercial diplomacy at the High Commission, said these activities are designed to create awareness in key source cities and attract investment in sectors such as agro-processing and infrastructure.