Uganda Courts Mauritian Travellers at Inaugural Tourism Roadshow

Port Louis — The inaugural Uganda Tourism Roadshow in Mauritius opened today at the Hennessy Park Hotel in Port Louis, marking a new chapter in efforts to boost tourism ties between the two countries.

The two-day event, organised by the Uganda High Commission in Dar es Salaam under its Economic and Commercial Diplomacy program, seeks to attract Mauritian travellers to Uganda through gorilla trekking, adventure tourism, and cultural experiences. It also aims to foster institutional partnerships and pave the way for future tourism exchanges.

Uganda’s delegation is led by the Minister of State for Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Hon. Martin Mugarra, alongside Uganda’s High Commissioner to Mauritius (non-resident), Col (rtd) Fred Mwesigye, officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Uganda Tourism Board.

Dubbed “From Paradise to The Pearl”, the roadshow is designed to highlight Uganda’s unique offerings while complementing Mauritius’ reputation as a luxury beach destination. The program includes a mini-expo showcasing Uganda’s attractions, a proposed familiarisation trip for Mauritian operators, and immersive experiences featuring Ugandan culture, cuisine, and virtual reality tours of iconic sites such as Murchison Falls, the River Nile, and Bwindi’s mountain gorillas. Guests were treated to Ugandan coffee, the famous “rolex,” music, and dance.

Ambassador Mwesigye praised the shared natural beauty of both nations, emphasising the need for a structured bilateral cooperation framework. “While Mauritius is globally known for its luxury beach resorts and marine activities, Uganda boasts rich biodiversity, adventure experiences, and cultural tourism,” he said.

Minister Mugarra highlighted Uganda’s potential as both a destination and source market. “Before COVID, over 1,000 Ugandans visited Mauritius annually. The number has since dropped to about 300, with many shifting to other destinations. We can work together to regrow these numbers,” he said, also inviting Mauritians to invest in Uganda’s tourism sector.

Mauritian officials echoed the call for deeper collaboration. Avihash Teelock, Director of the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority, described the partnership as an opportunity to create “a highly marketable tourism product,” while stressing the importance of direct air links and sustainable branding.

Ambassador Sookun Rajkumar, Director for the African Union at Mauritius’ Foreign Ministry, recounted his recent visit to Kampala, praising Uganda’s beauty and hospitality. He also pointed to agricultural products like pineapples and watermelons as potential areas for trade.

Uganda Tourism Board’s Samora Machel Semakula showcased Uganda’s strengths — from the “big seven” wildlife and birding sites to its MICE potential and reputation as East Africa’s adventure capital. Afrireps CEO Claire Mugabi and business partner Diana unveiled an 8-day familiarisation trip for Mauritian operators scheduled for November, covering Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, Murchison Falls, Kibale Forest, and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

On the sidelines of the roadshow, Minister Mugarra met his Mauritian counterpart, Junior Minister of Tourism Hon. Jean Sydney Pierre. Both ministers agreed to establish a complementary tourism cooperation framework and begin work on a Memorandum of Understanding to formalise collaboration.

The roadshow, blending cultural immersion with strategic dialogue, positions Uganda as a unique and complementary partner for Mauritius in Africa’s evolving tourism landscape.