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The Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities has asked for Shs10 billion to buy a helicopter to improve security and conservation in national parks.
The request appears in the ministry’s Budget Framework Paper for the 2026/2027 financial year. The sector minister, Tom Butime, presented it to the Committee on Trade, Tourism and Industry on January 27, 2026.
The ministry’s undersecretary, Godfrey Sseremba, said the aircraft would support aerial patrols, wildlife monitoring and animal rescue missions. He said it would also help during animal counting exercises.
Sseremba said the ministry currently hires helicopters, which is costly and unreliable. He said the lack of a dedicated aircraft has made operations slow and difficult.
“This money is for buying a new helicopter, not maintenance. It will help in conducting patrols, surveillance, and rescue of animals that have been ensnared by poachers,” Sseremba said.
Members of Parliament backed the proposal, citing tourism’s role in the economy. The committee heard that tourism earned Shs12.2 trillion in 2025.
Officials said about 1.65 million tourists visited Uganda last year. MPs said protecting wildlife remains key to sustaining the sector.
However, MPs raised concerns about Uganda Airlines. They warned that problems at the national carrier could hurt tourism growth.
“The issues being reported about the airline are likely to affect tourism. Do you have any measures in place to cater for foreign tourists?” committee chairperson Sylvia Nayebale asked.
The State Minister for Tourism, Martin Mugarra, said Uganda Airlines has helped increase tourist numbers. He said the airline now flies to 17 destinations.
“Uganda Airlines now flies to 17 destinations and in 2025 it contributed about 27 per cent of our tourist traffic. There will be challenges if the carrier does not operate smoothly,” Mugarra said.
He warned that failure to stabilise the airline could weaken Uganda’s tourism gains.
