Kenya and Uganda concluded four bilateral agreements during the fifth Uganda‑Kenya Coast Tourism and Innovation Summit held at Sarova Whitesands Beach Resort in Mombasa.

The deals link the Kenya Association of Travel Agents with its Ugandan counterpart, pair the Kenya Association of Tour Operators with the Association of Uganda Tour Operators, and join the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry with the Private Sector Foundation Uganda and the Banana Industrial Research and Development Centre.

Officials said the agreements aim to strengthen tourism cooperation and promote the use of technology to streamline travel and business across East Africa.

Tourism officials highlighted rising visitor flows: Kenyan arrivals in Uganda grew from 466,902 in 2024 to 519,041 in 2025, while Ugandan arrivals in Kenya rose from 201,623 to 234,556 over the same period, making Uganda Kenya’s second‑largest source market.

More than 450 tourism stakeholders have already taken part in cross‑border familiarisation trips organised through the new partnership, indicating early uptake by operators.

Uganda’s First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for East African Community Affairs, Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga, urged both governments to translate treaty commitments into practical measures that ease travel, work and business for citizens.

Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for East African Community, ASALs and Regional Development, Beatrice Askul Moe, noted that differing procedures, limited public awareness of rights and paperwork still hinder travellers and businesses, calling for joint action to address these gaps.

The summit’s final communiqué will set out institutional commitments and implementation timelines, with progress slated for review at the 2027 edition of the meeting.