The National Resistance Movement (NRM) has achieved monumental landmarks on its social contracts with the people as demonstrated in the NRM Manifesto 2016-2021.
The tourism sector excelled with a rating of 92% for the tourism sector; out of 17 commitments, 15 commitments were significantly achieved and two partially achieved. This is according to findings released during the Manifesto week which commenced yesterday Tuesday 4th May.
Some of the commitments include; Design and construct a high level bridge at Murchison Falls, additional scenery for the tourism promotion and the achievements; The exclusion zones in Protected Areas were reduced and private investors encouraged to invest in tourism facilities in the Parks. Since 2016, five concessions were renewed for various tourism activities, 8 new concessions were awarded and signed for accommodation development in Lake Mburo National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park and Murchison Falls National Park and Contract negotiations ongoing for concessions with 9 companies for accommodation in PAs.
Other achievements include; Feasibility studies commenced and development will be informed by the feasibility studies outcome and the Bridge on the Nile near completion linking southern and northern sectors of the National park.
According to the Ministry of Tourism, one of their objectives was to support the design and re-development of Kabaka’s Lake in Kampala as an international urban tourism site and the related achievement. The Ministry and Buganda Kingdom have conceptualized the Buganda Cultural Heritage Circuit that will include the Lubiri, Kabaka’s Lake and Kasubi Tombs
However, the development phase has been hampered by COVID-19 and will commence when resources become available.
UWEC
Another directive that the tourism ministry has set out to achieve was to Establish and operationalize an international and domestic tourism circuit on Lake Victoria by supporting the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre (UWEC) to establish a marina on Lake Victoria. In line with this the following have so far been achieved; Pier restaurant and beach established at UWEC.
Animal exhibits/enclosures designed and constructed and old ones renovated at UWEC
A boat procured to support the tourism circuit in terms visitor experience along the circuit,
CCTV Cameras and Radio Call system installed to enhance security of tourists and animals at UWEC plus Electric fencing of Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary was supported.
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Sports
Another directive for the tourism ministry was to Invest in and promote sports to enhance the marketing of Uganda when our sportsmen and sportswomen excel. And as a result, UTB has embarked on promotion of the Pearl of Africa as Sports tourism destination through international media exposure, Joshua Cheptegei as a Sports Tourism Ambassador and athletes who excel are recruited and or promoted within Uganda Wildlife Authority ranger force.
Supporting the media
The Tourism ministry was also required to Support the media to play an effective positive role in the promotion and marketing of tourism within the country and abroad. This is expected to minimize negative and sensational reporting in the media. And this are the achievements thus far, a sector working group was established with a subcommittee on media and crisis management to enhance media engagement.
The media has been supported to undertake familiarization trips to various tourism sites to appreciate the potential as well as understand the risks of negative media on tourism.
In order to reach out to more Ugandans, domestic tourism promotional videos were produced and aired through various media platforms.
Challenges encountered
COVID-19 pandemic has hit the Sector hardest leading to heavy losses of revenue and jobs and Encroachment on Conservation Areas and cultural heritage sites
Other challenges that the tourism sector encountered include; Invasive Species infestation of wildlife habitats due to climate change, Human Wildlife Conflicts due to recovery of wildlife populations
Negative travel advisories due to disease outbreaks and isolated cases of lawlessness and Limited financing due to competing national needs.
