Theodore Roosevelt’s Legacy and Its 2025 Expedition to Unlock Tourism Potential

In June 2025, the Theodore Roosevelt East African Sustainable Development Initiative will unveil the highly anticipated Theodore Roosevelt Expedition 2025.

This landmark event aims to celebrate Uganda’s untapped heritage and position East Africa as a prime destination for heritage tourism by launching the Roosevelt East African Heritage Trail.

The monumental initiative is not merely a nod to history—it is a vision for sustainable development, promoting conservation, tourism, and community involvement.

By leveraging the story of former US President Theodore Roosevelt’s 1909 expedition to East Africa, stakeholders hope to ignite a new era of tourism growth in Uganda, blending cultural heritage with eco-tourism opportunities.

The new trail will draw inspiration from Roosevelt’s famed 1909 journey to East Africa, where he collected over 11,000 specimens for the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Natural History.

During his expedition, Roosevelt visited Uganda’s Buganda and Bunyoro Kingdoms, explored eco-tourism gems like the Ajai Wildlife Reserve, and experienced East Africa’s political, cultural, and natural landscapes—an experience that left an indelible mark on the former president.

“Theodore Roosevelt’s journey is not just a story of scientific discovery; it’s a profound cultural interaction that can now fuel East African tourism,” says Joshua Ssentongo, director of Business Development and Strategy for the Theodore Roosevelt East Africa Sustainable Development Initiative.

Ssentongo added that the project offers a unique opportunity to showcase Uganda’s untapped potential in the heritage tourism market, especially to American travelers who hold Roosevelt in high regard.

Roosevelt was drawn to Buganda’s culture of political procession, royal decorum and military ceremony.

Upon his arrival that December, the former president watched as chiefs and royals — donning locally-crafted barkcloth and flowing robes imported from the Indian Ocean World — moved in and out of the capital, negotiating labor, power and state resources.

It was a kingdom with wide roads interlocking government posts, military frontiers, markets, banana groves, farms, mines, smelting sites and estates.

A Heritage Economy on the Horizon

The initiative aims to tap into the billion-dollar American heritage economy, drawing inspiration from successful cultural tourism projects in the US For instance, Texas’ Hill Country Trail generates $2.7 billion annually—a clear indicator of the economic power of heritage tourism.

By creating a Roosevelt Heritage Trail that links key sites like Murchison Falls National Park and Ajai Wildlife Reserve, Uganda hopes to boost international visitor numbers and stimulate local economies.

“By promoting sites Roosevelt visited, Uganda can position itself as a prime destination for history and nature enthusiasts, particularly from the U.S.,” Ssentongo adds.

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In line with Roosevelt’s legacy of community interaction, the project will prioritize local involvement.

Dr. Jonathon Earle, director of African History and Expedition for the initiative, stresses that the stories of Uganda’s ancient leaders and cultural practices must be woven into the trail.

“Roosevelt was fascinated by the political and cultural sophistication of the Buganda Kingdom, and it’s essential that we continue to share those stories with the world,” Earle explains.

By engaging local communities, the project aims to preserve cultural traditions and empower residents, turning Uganda’s heritage into an active, participatory experience for visitors, he added.

Stakeholders like Herbert Byaruhanga, a tourism consultant, stress the importance of packaging these stories.

“We need to profile our products, taste them, and publicize them effectively to compete globally,” he said.

The Theodore Roosevelt Expedition 2025 will culminate in the release of a documentary highlighting Roosevelt’s journey and its enduring legacy linking it with the value of Uganda's rich cultural and natural heritage.

This film aims to do for Uganda what Out of Africa and Gorillas in the Mist did for Kenya and Rwanda—elevate the nation as a must-visit destination.

By weaving history, culture, and conservation into a compelling narrative, Uganda has a chance to redefine its tourism landscape.

Roosevelt’s legacy, rooted in exploration and respect for African civilization, offers a bridge between the past and future, promising to draw the world’s eyes to the Pearl of Africa once again.

The Roosevelt Heritage Trail will not only provide economic benefits but also support conservation efforts by increasing awareness of Uganda’s natural treasures.

The Roosevelt Expedition 2025 is poised to redefine Uganda’s tourism landscape, offering a fresh narrative that links the country’s rich history with its bright future.

As the country prepares for the Theodore Roosevelt Expedition 2025, the initiative aligns with Uganda’s broader efforts to promote eco-tourism and sustainable development.