The Proprietors of accommodation facilities and Tourism stakeholders in Kigezi region, decried of unstable electricity supply which they say, has gravely affected their tourism-related businesses. By its vast natural endowments, scenic views and good weather conditions, Kigezi region attracts a big number of tourists.
It has thus given birth to several tourism-related businesses such as hotels, speed-boats, zip-lines among others. However, the proprietors complained of unstable power supply leaving them at the mercy of generators hence extra expenses.
Nicholas Byegoma, the managing director of Arcadia lodges said, business owners have been burdened by unstable electricity supply since the year began which has greatly affected their businesses and lost a lot of funds over daily power outages.
The proprietors expressed their concerns during the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) stakeholders’ engagement which was held at Arcadia lodges in Kitumba sub-county, Kabale district.
The meeting between UTB and the Kigezi Tourism cluster stakeholders aimed at reviewing the performance, analysing the challenges as well as finding the solutions in a move to promote tourism in Kigezi region.
“Since the year began, I have been using fuel worth shs25m every month, and yet still meeting electricity bills,” Byegoma intimated. He asked the government to prioritize the industry sector saying, Tourism is a low-lying fruit that has already proved to be much importance to Uganda’s economy.
Similar concerns were echoed by Parite Twinomujuni, the proprietor of Hawks Eye at Lake Bunyonyi, noting that unreliable power supply has forced tourists to dodge facilities in this part of the country, in preference to other areas like Rwanda.
Ivan Mbabazi Batuma, the Chairperson Kigezi Tourism Sector, noted that Kigezi area contributes a big part of revenue taxes totaling 65%, but wondered why the government has continuously left them behind in solving the issue of electricity in the region.
The UTB board Chairperson, Daudi Migereko revealed that the most critical issues they have been dealing with, is to encourage local investment in the Tourism industry. He pledged to have the concerns forwarded to responsible offices.
Other issues raised include, poor state of tourism roads and poor attitude of locals towards the sector, as a result of less direct benefits.
The Kigezi Tourism Cluster Platform (KTCP) is a consortium of various Tourism Stakeholders in the Kigezi Region, covering the districts of Kabale, Kanungu, Kisoro, Rukiga, Rubanda, and Rukungiri district, all in Southwestern Uganda.
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