A new development plan for improving the tourism sector in Uganda in a sustainable way has been inaugurated in Mbale by the Hon. Minister for tourism, wildlife and antiquities Maria Mutagamba. The development master plan was launched during the celebrations to mark World tourism day in the eastern Uganda, at Maluku grounds in Mbale. This long lasting plan is aimed at helping the ministry to identify and focus on addressing the key challenges that influence the growth of Uganda’s tourism sector ranging from intensification the rigid regime, promotion and capacity building and institutional management.
As she was speaking on the event, the minister said, this ten year development plan will succeed if all the sector players are committed and organized. She also added that the plan is not only focusing on what is already hugely popular like the wildlife such as gorilla attractions but it also focuses on the creation of regional tourism areas to devolve the coordination and promotion of tourism in the key attraction areas like the agro-tourism, culture and faith based tourism. Ms. Ahunna Eziakonwa-Onochie the United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP) Resident Representative also spoke on the event and assured that UN is committed to support the Uganda’s government in growing the tourism sector to transform Uganda sustainably. He was thankful to the government of Uganda who gave the UN a chance to work with them in the preparing the Tourism Master Plan and also the tourism policy which was lately approved by Cabinet.
He also called on the government to fully participate in the tourism sector to ensure wholesome growth and development. Adding on that he also said if the sector is handled in a proper way this will promote opportunities to development of the local economy and poverty eradication, adding on this the Hon. Minister Maria Mutagamba said that it’s very important to engage the local population such as allowing them to participate educate and enhance local governance. There can be no real tourism development if such development damages in anyway she said’’. She appreciated the people of Mbale who are already recognized the potential of tourism through the development of community based tourism activities such as the Imbalu festival which highlighted the exclusive culture of the region attracting both local and international tourists. She was so proud of the region that it was worth visiting due to the fact that it is a God given area with thousands of waterfalls and a true tourism paradise with very beautiful scenery, strong cultural heritage and the delicate eco system of the Elgon.
Mbale also hosted the first ever hot air balloon ride in Uganda and very many tourists, development agencies and the media where at the sight of celebrations to mark the World tourism Day 2014. She urged the local leaders to use these opportunities and use them to attract more tourists to the region and also the entire country. She also asserted that tourism is the most significant economic sectors in the world currently. And tourism today accounts for over 9% of global gross domestic product (GDP) and one in every 11 jobs on the planet. When he was speaking the local council five chairperson Mr.Bernard Mujasi thanked the ministry for bringing the 2014 world tourism day celebrations to Mbale and urged the ministry to support all tourist attraction in the region.
Uganda is one of the few places on earth endowed with immense tourist attractions that range from the rare and endangered mountain gorillas to diverse cultures of the local people. Most of Uganda’s visitors visit the country mainly for gorilla safaris into the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga National Park and that is why it is important to promote the country to prospective visitors by sensitizing them about the different adventures that can be taken. These include chimpanzee tracking, wildlife safaris, mountaineering, community based tourism and more.