AHMADABAD, India — A high-level delegation from the Uganda High Commission, in partnership with the Uganda Tourism Board and Uganda Airlines, has pitched camp in the Indian city of Ahmadabad as part of the ongoing Explore Uganda India roadshow.
The mission, dubbed the “Pearl of Africa to the Manchester of India,” arrived in Gujarat state for the second day of its promotional tour. The initiative aims to popularize Uganda as a premier destination for Indian travelers by forging direct business partnerships between tourism stakeholders from both nations.
Ambassador Joyce Kikafunda Kakuramatsi, the leader of the Ugandan delegation, said the country offers specialized experiences for those seeking travel driven by history, culture and adventure.
She highlighted Uganda’s unique connection to Indian history, noting that the source of the Nile River in Jinja served as a site where the ashes of Mahatma Gandhi were sprinkled following his death. A monument dedicated to the Indian founding father was erected at the site in 1997 to honor his commitment to nonviolence.
Beyond its historical significance, the delegation is marketing Uganda as the undisputed primate capital of the world.
Ahmadabad, India’s seventh-largest city, is considered a critical tourism source market. Known for its textile industry and its location on the banks of the Sabarmati River, it is home to some of the country’s most prominent outbound tour operators.
The delegation includes more than 30 private Ugandan tour operators and representatives from the Uganda Wildlife Authority, the state body responsible for managing the nation’s national parks.
Ambassador Kikafunda said that with continued support from stakeholders in Kampala, the diplomatic mission in New Delhi aims to increase Indian visitor arrivals from the current 43,000 to 100,000 by 2027.
Following the stop in Ahmadabad, the roadshow will move to Mumbai for the Outbound Travel Mart, the largest travel market in South Asia. During its first appearance at the mart in 2025, Uganda was named the Best New Destination.
The promotional tour is funded under the Economic and Commercial Diplomacy program. It forms part of a broader government strategy to significantly expand the national economy from $50 billion to $500 billion, with tourism serving as a primary driver of foreign exchange.
