Kenya has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening regional tourism and fostering people-to-people connections within East Africa. This follows the flag-off of a group of 697 pupils and 23 staff members from Hillside Nursery and Primary School, Naalya, by the Kenyan High Commissioner to Uganda, Ambassador Joash Maangi, for an educational excursion to Mombasa, Kenya.
The delegation, comprising Primary Seven finalists, was officially flagged off at the Kenya High Commission in Kampala before departing for the coastal city. During their visit, the learners will travel aboard the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) and explore iconic sites such as Fort Jesus, the Marine Park, and other landmarks that define Kenya’s vibrant coastal heritage.
Speaking at the ceremony, Ambassador Joash Maangi commended Hillside Nursery and Primary School for maintaining a long-standing tradition of exposing Ugandan learners to Kenya’s cultural, historical, and geographical richness.
“First and foremost, I want to thank Hillside Nursery and Primary School for choosing Kenya as the destination to celebrate the end of their primary schooling days,” Ambassador Maangi said. “Kenya and Uganda are each other’s most important tourism partners. Kenya provides Uganda with the highest number of tourists from any country, while Uganda gives Kenya the second largest number of visitors after the United States.”
Ambassador Maangi revealed that Kenya is targeting 300,000 Ugandan visitors by the end of 2025, up from 270,000 the previous year, noting that the Hillside school group contributes meaningfully toward that goal.
“This group alone adds nearly 700 visitors to our total. We are pleased and optimistic that such exchanges will help us meet our target,” he added. “It’s a wonderful experience for the young ones to appreciate East Africa and to grow up knowing that Kenya is their home—just as young Kenyans view Uganda as theirs.”
Mr. Fredrick Batulabudde, the Deputy Head Teacher of Hillside Nursery and Primary School, highlighted that the annual excursion has been a school tradition for over 15 years.
“A lot of what our learners study in social studies will now come alive during this trip,” Mr. Batulabudde said. “They will visit historical and geographical sites that will deepen their understanding and inspire them as they move on to secondary school.”
Uganda remains Kenya’s leading African source market and second globally after the United States. In 2019, Kenya received 215,894 visitors from Uganda, marking a 5.4% increase from the previous year.
Africa continues to be Kenya’s largest source market, contributing 975,883 arrivals in 2024, or 40.8% of all international visitors. Within the East African Community (EAC), Uganda accounts for 31.7% of all African arrivals, followed by Tanzania (28.5%), Somalia (11.4%), and Rwanda (9.2%).
Strong bilateral ties and open-border policies have facilitated this growth—Ugandans can travel to Kenya using only a national ID or residence permit. Moreover, enhanced air connectivity through Kenya Airways, Jambojet, RwandAir, and Uganda Airlines—which launched a direct Mombasa route last year—has improved accessibility.
The Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) has further intensified marketing efforts in Uganda through digital campaigns such as #TugendeKenya, aimed at showcasing Kenya’s diverse destinations and cultural experiences.
Kenya’s long-term objective is to position itself as the destination of choice for Ugandan travellers while promoting reciprocal tourism across the region.
In closing, Ambassador Maangi emphasized that beyond boosting numbers, such initiatives are building lasting regional bonds.
“We are not just building numbers; we are building relationships. These young learners are the future of East Africa’s unity,” he said.