The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs in charge of Regional Affairs Hon. John Mulimba, called upon partners in the private sector to invest in high-end accommodation facilities especially in the major National Parks and Game Reserves.
He made a call during the second edition of the Kenya – Uganda fam tourism execution event at Four Points Hotel, Kololo in Kampala.
Mulimba highlighted that the two countries possess great potential which needs to be explored and showcased to the rest of the world, thus lauded the organisers of the initiative which aimed at building a strong and vibrant tourism sector in both countries.
“The government of Uganda has embarked on expanding Entebbe International Airport, construction of an airport in Hoima district called the Kabalega International Airport as well as upgrading the existing airfields,” he noted.
In addition, the minister remarked that there are projects to improve the existing road infrastructure leading to tourism-rich areas and therefore, asked potential partners to invest in accommodation facilities.
Clara Ningome Chonga, the minister for tourism for Kilifi County in Kenya, was mesmerised by the good hospitality of Ugandans. “While on the tour in Uganda, we have learned a lot of history of this country from the first kingdom to the latest, the stories about tourism among others,” she reminisced.
“I liked the walk in the park looking for chimpanzees and that’s the place I can walk the whole day and don’t get tired; the fresh air and green environment we can not compare with, in Kenya. I wonder how long it will take for us to have such a forest cover,” she expressed.
The minister of tourism for Kilifi County also praised Uganda’s eco-tourism system accompanied by privacy in the accommodation facilities which she said, enables visitors to relax and talk to nature and God only.
She concluded with an appeal of opening borders in the way of using the country’s currencies than US dollars.
Ambassador Paul Mukumbya, the Consul General of the Republic of Uganda – Mombasa said that the future of tourism is inter-travel tourism which has worked for the Western world. “It’s high time that East Africa mostly Kenya and Uganda pioneer this so that the public can appreciate the available products and resources.”
“This initiative has enabled us to observe the wealth of tourism experiences and products that are available in these two countries which also allows us to ensure that we can grow and travel between the two countries,” he added.
While on the same event, Herbert Byaruhanga the C.E.O of Bird Uganda Safaris and Association of Uganda Tour Operators’ board Secretary appreciated the Kenyan high commissioner and the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) for embracing this initiative and also the testimonies by different delegates on Uganda as the pearl of Africa.
“East Africa is going to develop with the help of the business community and therefore I beg you once again, not to go home and sit but instead to publish all the nice photos and data about our products and resources on social media so that we make our region shine,” he concluded.
Kenya’s tourism stakeholders’ visit to Uganda aimed at boosting cross-border tourism focused on building linkages that will encourage tourists from Kenya to explore adventure, business, leisure, and cultural attractions that the Pearl of Africa has to offer.
Uganda is Kenya’s second biggest source market for tourists. In 2022, 150,900 Ugandans visited Kenya. Out of these, 22,200 visited the Kenyan Coast, up from 10,100 in 2021. Likewise, Kenya is Uganda’s leading source market for tourists. In 2022, 376,294 Kenyans visited Uganda, an increase of over 40,000 tourists from the 326,387 Kenyans tourists who visited Uganda in 2021
About The Author
