Uganda's Ministry of Tourism put digital tools and AI at the centre of its World Tourism Day 2026 conference. Here is what was said and why it matters to operators.
· 5 min read, by the Quest team
The Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities held the World Tourism Day 2026 Thematic Conference at the National ICT Hub in Nakawa, Kampala. The theme was "Digital Agenda and Artificial Intelligence to Redesign Tourism", and the event marked the start of preparations for World Tourism Day celebrations in Mbale City.
What the government announced
As reported by Nile Post (opens in a new tab), the plans include:
- AI-powered CCTV surveillance for wildlife tracking and park security.
- Digital content hubs for destination marketing.
- Predictive analytics to monitor visitor data and promote lesser-known attractions.
- Work with the Ministry of ICT and security agencies on digital tools for tourism management and conservation.
- A partnership with UNDP to build digital skills among young people, tour guides and conservationists.
An open door for developers
The message to builders was direct. In the speech delivered on behalf of the Permanent Secretary, the ministry said artificial intelligence and digital frameworks are "more than just marketing megaphones" and that "the tourism sector is open for your innovations". It also pointed out that small and medium tourism enterprises have limited access to digital platforms and payment systems, and asked developers for solutions in digital booking, payments, translation and preserving indigenous stories.
Where Quest fits
Quest is a digital tool for the part of the sector that sells trips: the tour operator. Pricing a safari accurately, quoting quickly, and selling on your own website are all problems of access to good digital tools. That is the gap Quest closes for operators, from first enquiry to confirmed booking.
Quest took part in this workshop. Read more about the platform on our features page or see how operators are using it.
Source: Nile Post: Uganda unveils AI push to transform tourism, conservation (opens in a new tab)