Uganda’s Minister of State for Tourism, Martin Mugarra, led the country’s delegation to the first Uganda Tourism Roadshow in Mauritius, organized by the Uganda High Commission in Dar-es-Salaam. The two-day event, which began on October 3, 2025, at the Hennessy Park Hotel in the coastal capital, is part of the Embassy’s Economic and Commercial Diplomacy program, aiming to attract affluent Mauritian travelers to Uganda through unique experiences such as gorilla trekking, safaris, and adventure tourism.
The roadshow, themed “From Paradise to The Pearl,” brought together officials from Mauritius’ Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Tourism and Wildlife Board, and luxury tour operators. It featured a mini-expo showcasing Uganda’s tourist attractions, alongside a familiarization trip designed to immerse Mauritian operators in the country’s tourism offerings. The initiative aims to strengthen bilateral cooperation, leveraging Uganda’s rich biodiversity and adventure tourism alongside Mauritius’ luxury beach resorts.
Uganda’s delegation included Minister Mugarra, Uganda High Commissioner to Mauritius Col. (Rtd) Fred Mwesigye, officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Uganda Tourism Board. Ambassador Mwesigye highlighted the potential benefits of a structured bilateral tourism framework, noting that both countries stand to gain from complementing each other’s offerings. He emphasized the immersive experience provided to the Mauritian guests, from tasting Ugandan coffee and “rolex” to exploring virtual reality presentations of Murchison Falls, the Nile, and the mountain gorillas in Bwindi.
Minister Mugarra highlighted Uganda as both a source and a destination for tourism. He noted that before COVID-19, over 1,000 Ugandans visited Mauritius annually, a number that has since declined. “We can work together to regrow these numbers,” he said, emphasizing the complementary nature of the two countries’ tourism products and inviting Mauritian investors to explore opportunities in Uganda. He also noted potential export cooperation in products such as coffee and milk.
Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority Director Avihash Teelock described the roadshow as a key platform for collaboration, highlighting the importance of air connectivity and sustainable tourism. Ambassador Sookun Rajkumar, representing Mauritius’ Foreign Ministry, praised Uganda’s hospitality, scenic beauty, and export potential, noting the possibilities for fruit and agricultural trade between the two nations.
Uganda Tourism Board’s Quality Assurance Manager, Samora Machel Semakula, highlighted the country’s top attractions, from the Big Seven wildlife and mountain gorillas to Lake Victoria and Uganda’s thriving MICE sector. Afrireps CEO Claire Mugabi introduced an eight-day FAM trip itinerary, showcasing destinations such as Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, Murchison Falls, Kibaale Forest Park, and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, allowing Mauritian operators to offer premium tourism experiences.
In a related engagement, Minister Mugarra met his Mauritian counterpart, Hon. Jean Sydney Pierre, to discuss a complementary tourism promotion framework. Both sides agreed to pursue a Memorandum of Understanding to formalize bilateral cooperation in tourism, aiming to boost visitor numbers and strengthen the economic and cultural ties between Uganda and Mauritius.
