The Kenya Association of Travel Agents (KATA) on Thursday hosted a warm, laughter-filled farewell for Consul General of the Republic of Uganda – Mombasa, H.E Paul Mukumbya, marking the end of a four-year tour that has quietly and sometimes humorously reshaped how Kenya’s coastal tourism engages with its neighbour to the west.
A Diplomat with an East African Passport in Spirit
KATA CEO Nicanor Sabula spared no praise as he described Mukumbya as “a true citizen of East Africa”. The kind of diplomat who sees borders as suggestions and collaboration as a sport. Under his leadership, Sabula noted, the synergy between Uganda and the Kenya Coast grew with a momentum rarely seen in official processes.
From promoting joint initiatives to knocking on industry doors with the persistence of a seasoned marketer, Mukumbya earned admiration across Kenya’s travel and tourism sector.
Sabula pointed to the Uganda-Kenya Coast Tourism Conference as one of the greatest milestones achieved during his tenure: an event that showed the region what cross-border collaboration can look like when driven by enthusiasm instead of protocol.
Uganda–Kenya Coast Tourism Conference
This conference not only brought together industry leaders from both countries but also delivered measurable outcomes, including new tourism packages, revived destination interest, and strengthened private-sector partnerships.
Ambassador Paul emphasized that these gatherings were intentionally different. “We do not organize talk shows,” he noted—an unmistakable nod to the industry’s habit of hosting endless panel discussions that yield little beyond good photo opportunities.
He championed sessions that were practical, real, and relevant, tackling issues such as immersive tourism, cultural heritage, and smart tourism. The result was a forum known more for action than rhetoric, where ideas translated into pilot projects, marketing collaborations, and genuine market growth across both sides of the border.
“You Can’t Promote Tourism from the Boardroom”
In his characteristically candid and good-humoured style, Mukumbya thanked KATA for its support, while offering a reminder that could easily double as a tourism industry proverb.
“You can’t promote tourism from the boardroom,” he said, laughing. “If you’ve never felt the ocean breeze in Watamu or bargained for tilapia at the Coast, what are you promoting?”
He emphasised his belief that Kenya’s travel and tourism private sector must take greater charge of driving collaboration and opening up regional travel routes. During his four-year tenure, he made a habit of engaging businesses directly, sometimes showing up unannounced, other times armed with data, and always with the promise that “East Africa is bigger than our comfort zones.”
Opening Uganda’s Eyes to the Kenyan Coast
When he first arrived, many Ugandans only knew Mombasa as the place where their goods passed through the port. Places like Malindi, Kilifi, and Watamu were virtually unknown.
Today, those destinations are among the most searched coastal holiday spots for Ugandan travellers, clear evidence of the consulate’s hands-on marketing.
Mukumbya attributes this success to a simple philosophy: avoid the traditional tourism “talk shows” where panellists repeat what everyone already knows.
Instead, he championed practical, real, and relevant discussions on topics like immersive tourism, cultural heritage, and smart tourism, ideas that resonated with both travellers and industry professionals.
Trust Earned, Not Declared
Perhaps Mukumbya’s most lasting legacy is the trust he built with Kenyan travel and tourism stakeholders.In an era where cross-border cooperation can be lost in paperwork, the Uganda Consulate under his leadership became a reliable partner. Responsive, accessible, and unafraid to push for regional solutions.
As he prepares to leave his post, both countries stand better connected, with growing intra-Africa travel numbers and stronger private-sector partnerships to show for it.
The farewell may have marked the end of Mukumbya’s coastal chapter, but judging from the warm applause and the jokes he effortlessly delivered, his impact will ripple through the region’s tourism corridors for years to come.
