Port Louis, Mauritius – The Uganda High Commission in Dar es Salaam held the first Uganda Tourism Roadshow in Mauritius on October 3, 2025, at the Hennessy Park Hotel in Port Louis. The event, organised under the Embassy’s Economic and Commercial Diplomacy program, aimed to promote Uganda as a travel destination for Mauritian tourists, especially affluent travelers interested in adventure tourism and gorilla trekking.
The Ugandan delegation was led by Hon. Martin Mugarra, Minister of State for Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, alongside Uganda’s High Commissioner to Dar-Es-Salaam, Col. (Rtd) Fred Mwesigye, and officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB). Hon. Mugarra noted that prior to COVID-19, over 1,000 Ugandans visited Mauritius annually, a number that has since dropped to around 300. He expressed optimism that collaboration could reverse this decline and called for stronger engagement between tour operators from both countries. He also invited Mauritian investors to explore Uganda’s tourism sector, citing existing incentives, and encouraged bilateral trade in goods such as coffee and milk.
Amb. Mwesigye highlighted the complementary tourism offerings of both countries. Mauritius, known for its luxury beach resorts, and Uganda, famous for biodiversity, mountain gorillas, the source of the Nile, and cultural tourism. He stressed the potential of a structured bilateral tourism framework to benefit both economies.
Mr. Avihash Teelock, Director of the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority, welcomed the partnership between the “Paradise Island” and the “Pearl of Africa.” He pointed out that the collaboration could create a strong, marketable tourism brand and advocated for the establishment of direct flights between Uganda and Mauritius to enhance connectivity, referencing Nairobi’s successful aviation model. Teelock also stressed the importance of sustainable tourism development, calling for more private sector-led partnerships to help African destinations compete globally.
Samora Machel Semakula, UTB’s Quality Assurance Manager, detailed Uganda’s tourism strengths, including its rich biodiversity, favorable climate, cultural diversity, and renowned birding sites. He also noted Uganda’s strong performance in the MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) segment, ranking 6th in Africa, with expectations for further growth.
On the sidelines of the roadshow, Hon. Mugarra met with Hon. Jean Sydney Pierre Junior, Mauritius’ Minister of Tourism. The two ministers agreed on the need for a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to facilitate tourism cooperation between the countries.
The roadshow was designed to be immersive and experiential, aiming to awaken all five senses of Mauritian tour operators. Afrireps CEO Claire Mugabi, alongside business partner Diana, unveiled an 8-day Familiarization (FAM) trip scheduled for November 8–16, 2025, covering iconic Ugandan destinations like Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, Murchison Falls, Kibale Forest, and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Titled “From Paradise to The Pearl,” the event was attended by officials from Mauritius’ Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Tourism and Wildlife Board, and luxury tour agents. It marked a strategic effort to boost bilateral tourism, leveraging Uganda’s adventure and nature-based tourism with Mauritius’ luxury coastal appeal through a formal cooperation framework.
