Kenya and Uganda have signed four agreements aimed at strengthening cross-border business ties, with tourism operators and trade organisations expected to translate the deals into practical opportunities for businesses in both countries.
The agreements were signed during the fifth Uganda–Kenya Coast Tourism and Innovation Summit at Sarova Whitesands Beach Resort in Mombasa, where officials, investors and tourism stakeholders met to discuss barriers to regional travel and ways to expand business links.
The deals bring together travel agents, tour operators and private sector organisations from the two countries, but their value will depend on the opportunities they create for businesses seeking to attract visitors and operate across borders.
The Kenya Association of Travel Agents signed an agreement with the Uganda Association of Travel Agents, while the Kenya Association of Tour Operators partnered with the Association of Uganda Tour Operators.
The Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) also signed agreements with the Private Sector Foundation Uganda and the Banana Industrial Research and Development Centre.
The agreement seeks to strengthen tourism cooperation and encourage the use of technology to improve travel and business across East Africa.
The discussions come as visitor numbers between the two countries continue to rise, presenting opportunities for tourism businesses to attract more customers and develop cross-border travel packages.
According to the Uganda Tourism Board, the number of Kenyan visitors to Uganda increased from 466,902 in 2024 to 519,041 in 2025.
Kenyan tourism statistics cited at the summit also showed that Ugandan arrivals to Kenya grew from 201,623 to 234,556 over the same period, making Uganda Kenya’s second-largest source market for visitors.
More than 450 tourism stakeholders have participated in cross-border familiarisation trips organised through the partnership, according to the summit organisers.
Uganda’s First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for East African Community Affairs, Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga, said regional integration should make it easier for citizens to travel, work and conduct business across borders.
She called on Kenya and Uganda to turn commitments under the East African Community Treaty into practical measures that benefit their citizens.
Article 104 of the treaty provides for the free movement of people within the regional bloc, a provision that featured prominently in discussions at the summit.
Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for East African Community, ASALs and Regional Development, Beatrice Askul Moe, said differences in procedures, limited public awareness of citizens’ rights and paperwork continued to create difficulties for travellers and businesses.
She said the two countries needed to address these obstacles to improve regional movement.
Uganda’s Minister of State for Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Susan Nakawuki Nsambu, said Kenya and Uganda could benefit from promoting their attractions as complementary destinations.
Uganda offers wildlife, primates, lakes, mountains and cultural experiences, while the Kenyan Coast draws visitors through its beaches and historical sites.
She said technology and joint tourism products could help the two countries reach more visitors.
The summit also featured presentations by young innovators from Kenya and Uganda showcasing digital solutions for the tourism industry. Other sessions examined investment, destination management, connectivity, and business cooperation.
Mombasa County Executive Committee Member for Tourism, Culture and Trade Mohamed Osman said stronger links with Uganda could create business opportunities for coastal tourism operators and other enterprises.
Mombasa County Executive Committee Member for Tourism, Culture and Trade Mohamed Osman during the fifth Uganda–Kenya Coast Tourism and Innovation Summit in Mombasa. (Photo: Farhiya Hussein)Uganda’s Consul-General in Mombasa, Herbert Kiguli, said the meeting had moved beyond the awareness-building approach of previous conferences towards securing commitments from participating institutions.
The summit’s final communiqué is expected to outline institutional commitments and implementation timelines, with progress due for review at the 2027 edition.
The annual meeting, which began in 2022, was elevated from a conference to a summit this year to place greater emphasis on decisions and follow-up action.
The 2026 edition also marks 10 years since Uganda established its consulate in Mombasa.
