Tourism month launched: Minister calls for increased local participation

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Ugandans have been urged to participate more in domestic tourism so that they can explore the many beautiful things their country offers.

While launching the tourism month at Fairway Hotel in Kampala, tourism state minister Martin Mugarra Bahinduka said Uganda is endowed with a lot of beautiful things but there is little tourism enthusiasm by natives.

This year’s World Tourism Day in Uganda will be celebrated in Kasese district, at the Nyakasanga grounds under the theme “Tourism and Peace”.

A robot in the press conference room. The robot will be part of all he activities of the tourism month. (Photo by Ignatius Kamya)

Bahinduka said the choice of celebrating this year’s Tourism Day in Kasese was a great one as the region has a lot of great attractions like mountains and game parks, which would excite many Ugandans.

He added that Kasese resonates well with this year’s theme because of the security challenges it went through in the past, and seeing that now it’s a peaceful place. “If you fail to travel to Kasese, take time with your families to visit other places,” advised Bahinduka.

A number of activities have been lined up in the days leading up to September 27.

Among them is the Kampala Schools Engagement Week at Makerere University Business School (starting this Friday)), Miss Tourism Grand Finale at Serena Hotel (on Saturday), Annual Tourism Program Review at Hotel Africana, Kampala (Thursday, 19th), an exhibition of cultural enterprises at National Theater (24th and 25th), Kasese schools’ engagement (25th) and the Cross-Cultural Foundation Heritage Kaboozi at Butikkiro in Mengo (26th).

Others are the Tourism games at Kilembe quarters (26th), the Peace Conference at Rwenzori International Hotel (26th), medical camp and trade exhibitions at Nyakasanga grounds (26th-27th), exploration of Rwenzori Mountain and commissioning of the new equator monument at Kikorongo (28th-29th).

Tourism state minister Martin Mugarra Bahinduka (middle) together with Miss Tourism finalists and other members of the tourism board. (Photo by Ignatius Kamya)

Elias Byamungu, the Chief Administrative Officer of Kasese district assured tourists of reliable security. James Musinguzi, the executive director of Uganda World Life Conservation Education Center said they want to use tourism to promote peace within the country. He encouraged people to engage in peace-making activities right from their families.

There was also an unveiling of a robot which will move with the tourists.