Anita Rukundo Tayebwa, the newly appointed Honorary Consul of The Bahamas to Uganda, has pledged to strengthen tourism cooperation between the two countries, with a focus on destination marketing, investment and attracting high-spending international visitors to Uganda.
Rukundo made the commitment on Thursday evening in Kampala after presenting her letters of credence to Foreign Affairs Minister Hon. Amb. Adonia Ayebare.
She said Uganda could draw valuable lessons from The Bahamas, a Caribbean nation that has built a strong tourism industry despite its relatively small geographical size and population.
According to figures she cited, The Bahamas attracted more than 12 million international visitors in 2025, generating approximately US$5.27 billion in tourism receipts. Uganda, by comparison, received about 1.6 million visitors and earned an estimated US$1.62 billion during the same period.
Rukundo said the disparity highlights the need for Uganda to strengthen its international tourism marketing and learn from countries that have successfully positioned themselves as leading destinations.
“We hope to bridge the gap between The Bahamas and Uganda. We hope to promote tourism… With this relationship, we hope to attract more people to come and visit Uganda,” she said.
She identified destination branding, hospitality, resort development, visitor experience management and international tourism investment as key areas for cooperation. The partnership will also seek to connect tourism operators and government agencies in both countries to facilitate knowledge exchange and investment opportunities.
Rukundo further revealed plans to help Ugandan tour operators develop complementary tourism packages that showcase the unique attractions of both destinations, potentially creating new opportunities for travel between the two countries.
“We are looking at how we can have the private sector get into The Bahamas and vice versa. With the ministry’s support, we are assured we will be able to achieve this,” she said.
Ayebare Expresses Confidence in New Honorary Consul
Foreign Affairs Minister Ayebare expressed confidence in Rukundo’s ability to strengthen bilateral cooperation and help Uganda benefit from The Bahamas’ tourism experience.
“The figures speak for themselves; we will count on you to tap the best practices from them. Uganda will benefit immensely from your representation,” Ayebare said.
Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa welcomed his wife's appointment, praising her business experience and ability to execute projects.
“The public doesn't know that she is the mover behind the scenes, running the businesses. I know her potential when it comes to execution,” he said.
Tayebwa said Rukundo had expressed interest in helping Ugandan tourism operators attract high-spending visitors by promoting the country's distinctive attractions, including mountain gorillas and chimpanzees.
He noted that The Bahamas offers valuable lessons not only in attracting large numbers of tourists but also in targeting affluent travellers who spend more during their visits.
Tourism Investors Call for Greater Focus on Lake Victoria
Tourism investor Amos Wekesa said Rukundo could help Uganda unlock more value from its natural attractions, particularly Lake Victoria.
He argued that developing water-based tourism could significantly increase tourism earnings while diversifying the country's tourism products.
King Ceasar Mulenga, the Honorary Consul of Vietnam to Uganda, also welcomed the appointment, expressing confidence that Rukundo would strengthen commercial and diplomatic relations between the two countries.
“I have no doubt you will strengthen trade and people-to-people bilateral ties between our two Commonwealth nations,” he said.
The proposed cooperation comes as Uganda seeks to expand its tourism earnings by improving destination marketing, attracting investment and promoting its wildlife, cultural heritage and natural attractions to international visitors.
Through stronger links with The Bahamas, Uganda hopes to identify practical strategies for attracting more visitors, increasing tourist spending and expanding opportunities for businesses in the tourism sector.