Kenya, Uganda deepen tourism ties as regional mobility takes centre stage

Kenya and Uganda are seeking to deepen cooperation in tourism, technology and regional mobility as the two East African neighbours prepare for the fifth Uganda–Kenya Coast Tourism and Innovation Summit in Mombasa.

The two-day meeting is scheduled for October 26 and 27, 2026, at Sarova Whitesands Beach Resort & Spa and will bring together government officials, tourism players, technology firms, investors and private-sector representatives from both countries.

The summit will focus on how technology, youth-led innovation and improved movement of people and services can help unlock tourism opportunities between Kenya and Uganda.

It will also examine policy challenges affecting tourism and business travel, including the implementation of Article 104 of the East African Community Treaty, which provides for the progressive removal of restrictions on the movement of persons, labour and services within the region.

Uganda's Consul General in Mombasa, Amb. Herbert Kiguli, says the summit is intended to move the partnership beyond discussions and towards practical cooperation.

“This Summit reflects the strength of the partnership Uganda has built with our friends on the Kenya Coast over the past five years. As we mark ten years of the Consulate’s presence in Mombasa, we are moving beyond dialogue to concrete, action-oriented cooperation, particularly in harnessing technology and youth innovation to unlock the full potential of tourism between our two countries,” said Amb. Herbert Kiguli, Consul General of the Republic of Uganda in Mombasa.

The annual engagement between Uganda and the Kenya Coast dates back to 2022 and has provided a platform for tourism stakeholders to exchange knowledge, establish business links and familiarise themselves with tourism products in both destinations.

More than 450 stakeholders have so far taken part in the associated familiarisation programme.

This year's summit will put greater emphasis on digital solutions that can improve visitor experiences along the Uganda–Kenya Coast tourism corridor, while also creating opportunities for discussions on tourism investment, connectivity and smart destinations.

Mombasa County Executive Committee Member for Tourism Mohammed Osman said the county sees the summit as an opportunity to showcase its tourism potential while embracing technology and youth innovation.

“Mombasa County is proud to welcome this Summit as a platform that puts our tourism offering firmly on the regional stage. We see real value in deepening ties with Uganda, particularly in opening up smart, tech-enabled and youth-driven approaches to tourism that benefit both our destinations,” said Hon. Mohammed Osman, County Executive Committee Member for Tourism, Mombasa County.

The meeting will also feature innovation showcases and business-to-business engagements aimed at developing partnerships between stakeholders from the two countries.

Organisers expect the summit to conclude with a communiqué outlining agreed priorities and timelines for follow-up.

The 2026 meeting will also mark the fifth year of collaboration between the Ugandan Consulate in Mombasa and tourism stakeholders on the Kenya Coast, while coinciding with the Consulate's tenth anniversary of its active presence in Mombasa.