By: Boy Fidel Leon
Uganda didn’t just show up in Mauritius with brochures. At the Hennessy Park Hotel in Port Louis on October 3, the first Uganda Tourism Roadshow brought Virtual Reality goggles, the aroma of Ugandan coffee, and a “rolex”, not the watch, but the famous street food wrap that’s become a cultural icon.
Dubbed “From Paradise to The Pearl,” the two-day event organised by the Uganda High Commission aimed to convince affluent Mauritians that Uganda offers experiences their beaches can’t match—gorilla trekking, the source of the Nile, and adventure tourism that puts luxury resorts to shame.
The Ugandan delegation, led by Tourism Minister of State Martin Mugarra and High Commissioner Col (rtd) Fred Mwesigye, designed the event to awaken all five senses.
Through Virtual Reality, Mauritian tour operators could see and hear Murchison Falls, the River Nile, and mountain gorillas at Bwindi without leaving Port Louis. They tasted Ugandan coffee and the famous “rolex” while cultural artifacts lined the tables and Ugandan music filled the air.
“The aroma of our organic products, the feel of our rich crafts and cultural artifacts, and the rhythms of Ugandan music and dance will transport you to the Pearl of Africa without ever leaving Mauritius,” Amb. Mwesigye promised.
In his opening remarks, Amb. Mwesigye emphasised that both countries stand to benefit from a structured cooperation framework.
“While Mauritius is globally known for its luxury beach resorts and marine activities, Uganda boasts rich biodiversity, adventure experiences, cultural tourism, and unique attractions such as the endangered mountain gorillas and the source of the River Nile,” he said.
Minister Mugarra made it clear the partnership works both ways. Before COVID-19, over 1,000 Ugandans visited Mauritius annually. That number has dropped to around 300, with many shifting to destinations like Mombasa.
“We can work together to increase these numbers,” he said, urging increased interaction among tour operators and inviting Mauritians to invest in Uganda’s tourism sector. Uganda’s export capabilities in milk and coffee were also flagged for discussion.
Avihash Teelock, Director of the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority, called the partnership highly marketable but identified a crucial gap: air connectivity. He suggested establishing direct flights between the two nations, drawing on Nairobi’s successful example.
“As Africa’s tourism numbers remain relatively low, fostering sustainable branding partnerships will be crucial for competing with more established destinations,” he said.
Amb. Sookun Rajkumar from the Mauritian Foreign Ministry recounted a recent stay in Kampala for the AALCO Conference. “I was struck by the hospitality and beauty of Uganda, particularly mesmerised by Lake Victoria, which is 65 times the size of Mauritius,” he said, also noting opportunities for fruit exports.
Afrireps CEO Claire Mugabi introduced an 8-day Familiarisation Trip from November 8–16, covering Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, Murchison Falls, Kibale Forest, and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. She emphasised that Uganda presents fresh experiences, allowing Mauritian operators to charge premium prices.
In a separate meeting, Minister Mugarra and his Mauritian counterpart, Junior Tourism Minister Jean Sydney Pierre, agreed to establish a complementary tourism promotion framework. The Ministry of Tourism of Mauritius will initiate an MoU on cooperation between the two countries.
Uganda left Mauritius with more than goodwill. It left with commitments, connections, and a clear message: the Pearl of Africa isn’t competing with Paradise Island. It’s partnering with it.