Uganda: 2016 Was a Great Year for Uganda’s Tourism Industry

OPINION

By John Ssempebwa

Dear Ugandans and all foreigners resident or working in Uganda, it is with great pleasure that I wish you all a more pleasant 2017 full of memorable trips that you will enjoy while visiting new and improved sites all over Uganda, the undisputed Pearl of Africa.

Last year, Uganda Tourism Board made giant strides for our country, the Pearl of Africa; I am pleased to inform you that we have refined our marketing strategy. In 2016, for the first time in Uganda’s history, on your behalf, we hired three firms to market the Pearl of Africa in United States, United Kingdom and Germany. These firms are devotedly operational under our vigilant supervision. Uganda is increasingly receiving continued coverage worth millions of dollars in leading media houses in these markets.

To be exact, Uganda has already received media publicity worth nearly $4 million. A lot more is expected by the end of 12 months for which the firms were hired. From this intervention, we expect tourists from US to increase from 49,414 in 2015 to at least 60,000 in the year 2017; tourists from United to increase from 40,851 in 2015 to 60,000 in 2017 and tourists from Germany to increase from 9,585 in 2015 to at least 15,000.

 

John Ssempebwa(Black shirt) and the Ham Mukasa family

I wish to encourage every business involved in tourism to expect and harness this increased interest from these markets.

Special care should be given to receiving German tourists that may not be very fluent in English. Taking short courses in the German language may come in handy at this time. On the international scene, we shall continue attending major exhibitions alongside our tour operators to link them to their established counterparts in wisely-selected markets. We are also working closely with Uganda’s foreign missions in key source markets to publicise the Pearl of Africa and to link our tour operators to tour operators from established markets where we have foreign missions.

On the domestic front, we appreciate the increased interest from all Ugandans in tourist sites all over Uganda. Ugandans are surely rediscovering the Pearl of Africa. During the Christmas period, we closely observed as Ugandans and expatriates filled tourism sites all over Uganda. We appreciate the lead role played by outstanding domestic tourists such as Rotaract and Rotary, rally fans, sports fans, culture enthusiasts, The Slayers, Mr Dibo and friends, Mr Kyamutetera and many others. Going forward, we shall continue supporting domestic campaigns including Tulambule and others. We strongly wish to encourage the private sector to design such initiatives that will encourage more Ugandans to explore Uganda.

For the first time in Africa, we hosted Africa’s first ever birding expo at the Botanical Gardens Entebbe. This exposed Uganda as the world’s premium birders’ destination, boasting of 50 per cent of Africa’s bird species and 10 per cent of the world’s species. This expo will continue to grow and be Africa’s and Uganda’s signature birding event.

 

Travel Freaks, a local domestic tourism initiative at Sipi Falls

I invite you all to grace the Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo to experience all the tourism sites that exist all over Uganda, albeit in one single venue. Entrance to the expo will be free of charge for all of you. We have organised the country into 13 tourism destinations namely Busoga, Far Eastern, Lango, Acholi, West Nile, Bunyoro, Toro, Rwenzori, Kigezi, Greater Ankole, Ssese Islands and Buganda; most of our domestic interventions will aim at promoting these unbelievably gifted destinations.

We continue to regulate the tourism industry to improve the quality of service you receive. So far, we have classified 61 hotels all over the country; five of which have received five star rating. This exercise is continuing and we encourage all tourist accommodations to have their facilities classified as it shall amplify their credibility.

The service is currently done free of charge. We also worked closely with KCCA to train waiters and cooks of the different hotels in and around Kampala in order to increase service quality in the highly competitive industry. We have trained tour operators as well. We shall continue training staff employed by tourism facilities such as accommodation facilities, tour operators, tour guides, and many others, free of charge.

We thank our partners in the private sector, Uganda Tourism Association, Uganda Hotel Owners Association, Association of Uganda Tour Operators, TUGATA, the association of Travel Agencies, Tour Guide Associations such as USAGA and UTGA, as well as our partner agencies such as UWA, UWEC, Ngamba Island, HTTI, Civil Aviation Authority and many others for the continued collaboration. We pledge unwavering commitment to collaborative efforts in promoting destination Uganda.

In 2017, our major effort will be placed on strengthening

our brand promise – The Pearl of Africa. Building a strong national destination brand will require the involvement as well as the support of every Ugandan and Ugandan institution including Parliament, police, army, sports teams, media houses, Opposition, boda bodas, etc. We shall be at your door step to guide you on how best you too can participate and benefit from a stronger destination brand.

Our commitment to promoting Uganda as a world class travel destination continues. We wish to assure you all that we have transformed into a result-oriented organisation dedicated to increasing the numbers of both foreign and domestic visitors to our tourism sites as well as regulating the tourism enterprises to ensure high quality of services.

Whereas there is still a lot of room for improvement, rest assured that we are on the right track as an agency of the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities guided by the minister Ephraim Kamuntu, State Minister Godfrey Kiwanda alongside the Permanent Secretary Ms Doreen Katusiime.

Finally, we encourage individuals that know about or possess undeveloped sites, as well as communities that own or live nearby sites associated with rich heritage to contact us for assistance and guidance. Uganda has more than wildlife – it is blessed with centuries-old stories that have to be told and sold. Do not hesitate to seek guidance on how best to convert your rich heritage/history into dollars. Together, we can tap into tourism to create jobs for our especially rural populations.

Mr John Ssempebwa is the deputy chief executive officer, Uganda Tourism Board.

( Adapted From Daily Monitor)

http://allafrica.com/stories/201701060011.html

OVER $7000 COLLECTED FOR MMAMBA CLAN CULTURAL HERITAGE CENTRE

 

Virgo Ssempebwa-Munting(white pants), Managing Director Gorilla Tours and Nature lodges  receives an artpiece as a token of appreciation for supporting the construction while she shakes hands with the  fallen legislator and  DP Secretary General, Mathias Nsubuga

The Government has set out to identify and make an inventory of exceptional tourism potentials in different cultural institutions in Uganda.

The move is aimed at protecting culture and promoting the growth of the tourism sector in different parts of the country.

Uganda Tourism Board deputy CEO John Ssempebwa said there are many tangible and intangible cultural heritages with rich history that have never been developed.

He was officiating at a fundraising ceremony for the development and construction of the Mamba (lung fish) Clan Cultural Heritage in Nkajja, Wakiso district.

Ssempebwa said Uganda’s tourism sector currently depends on mainly game parks because many potentials have not been developed.

“We are working with the line ministries to begin on inventorying all these untapped tourism potentials ranging from traditional dances, games and tombs among others.

“Tourists mainly come to Uganda to see animals because these heritage sites have not been developed,” added Ssempebwa.

John Ssempebwa, Uganda Tourism Board CEO  and frontman of the Mmamba Dinner on NTV

The Kasubi tombs in Buganda, still undergoing reconstruction after a major in 2010, are a world heritage site.

“We are going to start with supporting the Mamba clan as a model heritage site. We shall be identifying and inventorying these things, and develop them into tourism heritage sites to promote tourism in different parts of the country,” said the UTB boss.

It is expected that employment will be created, cultural norms promoted and safeguarded as well as raising of awareness of the intangible cultural heritages.

The head of Mamba clan, Gabunga Mubiru Zziikwa, asked all clan members to support the initiative to safeguard their norms for the future generations.

“Many of our people need to know where they came from and know what makes them unique in the kingdom,” he said.

Jonathan Nsubuga, the architect of the site, said they need about sh4bn to kick-start the project.

The facility is to be designed in a Mamba (lung fish) shape with a heritage landscape, portraits of the Buganda kings from their clan and previous clan leaders.

Former MP for Buikwe South, also a clan member, Dr. Lulume Bayiga said Ugandans think tourism is about animals, forests, mountains and lakes.

“We need to change this mindset. The Kabaka’s lake is popular not because it is big; but just the history behind it.

“When the minister launched ‘Rolex’ (rolled chapatti containing eggs and vegetables), many laughed but every tourist who enters Uganda wants to taste this delicacy. Now what if our heritage is documented and sites developed, how much can we earn?” said Bayiga.

The tourism industry fetches about sh1.5b annually. Lulume said all cultural institutions can develop their cultural heritage is to tap into the tourism industry.

Out of  the sh25m they managed to collect at the event, Gorilla Tours Managing Director, Virgo Ssempebwa contributed Sh5m.

http://www.newvision.co.ug/new_vision/news/1442378/gov-identify-distinctive-tourism-potentials

 

FORGET THE LRA,THE NORTH IS TOURISM PACKED

Content is just a commodity without story telling! Once upon a time, Nyipir( commonly pronounced as Gipir),Labongo and Tiful were happy brothers. Their father Olum was proud of them. One morning, Nyipir borrowed Labongo’s sharp spear to go hunting. He wounded an elephant( I hope he wasn’t poaching large mammals in Murchison Falls NP. Lol) The big 5 animal ran away with the spear.

Back at home, Labongo was furious at Nyipir. He asked him to go and search for his hunting tool. During the search, Nyipir met an old lady who offered him beads of luck. Fortunate he was, the spear was found and returned to Labongo. Sooner than later, Labongo’s son swallowed Nyipir’s bead. In an act of revenge, Nyipir killed Labongo’s son to get his bead. This caused a rift which led to Nyipir & Tiful to move with their followers including Lendu & Okebu to the highlands in the West of the Nile and their descendants are believed to consist of the Alur. Meanwhile, Labongo remained on the eastern bank of the Nile giving birth to the Acholi and his descendants.

This is a popular legend from Northern Uganda told to us in primary school . How it is narrated doesn’t matter,but what makes meaning is how these two forefathers in Northern Uganda brought forth the descendants in West Nile & central North.

Northern Uganda comprises of Agago, Gulu, Amuru, Lamwo, Nwoya, Kitgum, Pader, Lira. Despite the turmoil it has suffered in the past orchestrated by the LRA, Northern Uganda is full of country rolling grasslands with scattered trees, streams and rock formations.

NORTHERN UGANDA

NATURAL ASSETS

• Murchison Falls in the area of Nwoya district
• Mountains & Peaks ( Matoko, Ogilis, Nappno in Agago, Ator in Gulu etc)
• Hills ( Kalongo hills in Agago, Gurugu hills- the site famous for lamogi rebellion of 1911)
• Rock formations in Agago
• Caves ( Guruguru caves in Amuru, Paimol in Agago, Kilak in Amuru , Odora in Nwoya)
• Hotsprings ( Amuru hotsprings)
• Waterfalls ( Aruu falls in Pader)
• Forest Reserves ( Kilak in Amur, Agoro Agu in Lamwo, Nyange Napore in Kitgum)
• Wildlife Area ( Tim Padwat in Lamwo, Lipan in Kitgum)
• Savannah Landscape at the Larubi Escarpment in Gulu.
• People ( Acholi & Langi in Northern Uganda )

( Baker’s Trail)

CULTURAL ASSETS

• Traditional dances( Acholi Bwola- often performed by older men & women; Larakaraka- Is a courtship dance that is performed during weddings)
• Legends, story telling, music and poetry ( Story of Gipir & Labongo, Music and dance festival held annually from late November to January)
• Art and Crafts ( pottery and baskets )
• Royal heritage ( Rwot Palace; the Acholi Kingdom H/Q’s in Gulu
• Events ( Coronation Anniversary for Lawii Rwodi( paramount Chief) held on 15th January each year)
• Historical Sites ( Bifo- home of Nyipir & Labongo in Nwoya, Samuel Baker Fort at Patiko in Gulu, Stone chambers of Fort Patiko in Gulu, Kangai Village in Lira – Where Omukama Kabalega & Kabaka Means were captured by the British in 1899, Ngetta hills- Barlonyo Memorial site )
• Religious Sites ( Wipolo Martyrs shrine in Agago , Daudi Okello & Jildo Irwa Martyrs shrine in Agago. Each year on 20th October, hundreds of Pilgrims flock this place, Agung- Prayer point after missionaries crossed the Nile in Nwoya, Keyo-First Missionary station in Amuru)

BUILT ASSETS

• Built heritage ( Gulu Museum, Gulu peace monument )
• Lodges( High end , mid market) eg Lira Hotel, Acholi inn, Golden Peace hotel etc
• MICE facilities

TOURISM MANAGEMENT

• Lango & Acholi Tourism Cluster supported by Uganda Tourism Board. They have  the authority to identify Tourism potentials of the region in partnership with UTB for both National and International market

This write-up is dedicated to Miss Tourism Northern 2014,Nora Atim( R.I.P) who passionately desired to leave her footprint in the Tourism of Northern Uganda. One day, her desire will come to life. VIVA TO THE A-TEAM

CAPITAL FM STAFF EXPERIENCE NGAMBA

The chant of the beautiful weaver birds coupled with the waving winds slapping the waters is a memorable melodic combo you cannot afford to ignore as you step foot at the Ngamba Island.

A breath of virgin less polluted cool air that could slip a spiritual yogi into mantras and the thick green vegetation is an ultimate break from the city’s chaos.

Sounds of the excited chimpanzees booing and screaming on top of their voices are not an experience you would trade for anything else. This and much more is what Ngamba Chimpanzee sanctuary is all about.
A quick talk through the rules of the approximately 100 acre Island that is home for the 42 chimps is what our tour guide Okello Amos takes though on arrival.
Though these animals have a likeness to humans, there is a reason they are in the wild. The animals have up to five times the human average strength and that is why we have to be keen while we visit them. Any slight misunderstanding may cause a fatal fight.

At that point, I listened to Amos carefully to hear the safest of the safety measures. He told us the poor hairy beings cannot swim. “If attacked just step back in the lake about two to three steps into the lake. I just thought he could add about 200 to 1000 steps.

The approximately 100 acre Island was secured by Uganda wild authority in 1997 to save chimps from being poached by hunters especially from Congo, some of the saved Chimps could not readopt jungle life so they were picked up and brought here. The chimps are indentified individually by name.
Now if you thought the Museveni and Besigye politics was bad think twice. You probably have not heard of Chimps Eddy and Mika. They have been at each other, struggling to be the leader of the 42 chimps at Ngamba. The rivalry is way too serious than you can ever imagine.

Okello told us that like any other community, every chimp community always has a leader who is the known as the Alpha male. The hierarchy continues to the alpha female and to the rest. You can never imagine how much power head chimp has until meal time.
My team was invited to observe the 11am feeding, it seemed like the chimps had bad appetite on the first food throw. But Okello said that was a sign of respect to the Alpha male. He picks food first. The second throw would be mistaken for a climax in a traditional folk song. All chimps excitedly pick up, gather their food and munch away in amazement.
It is hard to believe especially for human time bad keepers that these animals, without watches, sand timers or gongs are always at feeding spot on the dot of time. “We do not signal them, they are accustomed to the system and as soon as we get here with the food, we find all of them gathered ready to feed.” Said Musawo Byron.
Byron added that the chimps’ diet is largely made of fruits and vegetables and an egg for the protein supplement. Ideally, when the chimps are completely in the wild, they feed on monkeys, termites and other bugs for protein in addition to fruits and vegetables around the forests.

Our tour guide Amos revealed that Ngamba forest is ideally enough for a maximum of two chimps but the special Island now has more than 40 chimps. This means a plan has to be devised to contain all of them in the forest happily. He explains that the chimps come back to the cages at night in order to for the forest to survive. They are also fed four times a day for which each chimp is fed with food measuring up to 10% of its weight. This is the recommended feeding quantity. This in turn reduces the pressure on the forest.

Most of the food that the chimps feed on is bought from the communities around as means to support their survival and to help them understand the importance of the sanctuary. Communities are also encouraged to make crafts from local materials in their Islands which they bring to Ngamba for sale to the Sanctuary visitors.
They are given a percentage of the money and the other percentage is used by the sanctuary to help better these communities’ services. For example, before the sanctuary, they were no schools in these Island communities but at least they now have one school that serves the entire community of about 30,000 people.

Okello revealed that the chimps like humans also suffer from a wide range of diseases including, pneumonia, Ebola and many other ailment s. Some of these do succumb to death and he showed me a place where some of them had been laid to rest. “It is for this reason and many more that we discourage close contacts with the chimps,” added Okello.
Quick facts;

• The chimpanzees on the Island are not allowed to breed. In fact they use birth control implants to curb reproduction. But these are not hundred percent effective so sometimes the chimps conceive. Indeed one of the chimps, Kyewunyo had given birth to a now four month playful baby chimp.
• Chimps like human beings, have distinct features and can be told apart.
• The tallest chimp is called Eddie and has been nicknamed boatman after it took over fisher men’s boat.
• Since the death of Zakayo, Eddy has been an aspiring new alpha male but the surfacing of Mica made his leadership less obvious. Okello said they will soon be announcing the new head chimp after they have exercised their democracy. It is possible that the two chimps are campaigning.
• Mother chimps are accorded some special care to take care of their babies.
• The Island was secured by Uganda Wildlife Authority to save chimps in 1997.
• To reach Ngamba Island, one has to go through Waterfront beach in Entebbe. The journey on water is about 24Km which will take you about 45 minutes depending on the weather conditions.
• Ngamba Island is ideally and NGO with partners from all over the world that help fund the day today running of the Island. Okello clarified that government was part of the Island but their main contribution is in the policy making therefore we often call upon individuals and interested organizations to fund the running of the Island. There is a “wall of fame” for individuals and organizations that have contributed to the sanctuary.
• The Island is more of an educational center than a recreational center.
• For foodies, I am afraid to say you may need to pack your bites as the Island doesn’t offer much. In fact they discourage fishing on the Island so you may not have the pleasure to fish later on eat your freshly caught fish. On arrival at the Island, you will be served a cup of tea or coffee with a simple snack. The shop sells some few long shelf life snacks like crisps, roast nuts and soda.

For people interested in camping and staying on the Island, there are a limited number of people allowed at a time because of the limited space available for camping activities. Meals are also provided on special arrangement for the campers.

Chimpanzees are one of the World’s most famous and celebrated wild animals. At a small fee anyone can go see these amazing creatures to Ngamba Islands and support the sanctuary. The chimps are the pride of the Pearl of Africa worth seeing .

http://capitalradio.co.ug/tag/chimpanzee/

THE IMPACT OF QUEEN OF KATWE TO UGANDA’S TOURISM

 

Queen of Katwe

 

 

A few days ago, Disney  unveiled the first image from The Queen of Katwe, the biographical drama about a Ugandan chess prodigy starring Lupita Nyong’o, David Oyelowo, and newcomer Madina Nalwanga.

The movie Directed by Mira Nair and based on Tim Crothers’ book, the film stars Nalwanga as Phiona Mutesi, a young girl from the slums of Kampala who chases her dream of becoming an international chess champion.

Uganda Tourism players should focus on the immense returns where we never invested.  Queen of Katwe expected to be released this year is a product of Walt Disney Studios. This implies it will be screened on the Disney Channel with an average of 1.23 million viewers ( Big deal for Uganda’s Tourism and slum Tourism if i mention Katwe!)

According to the latest reports, Disney’s Disney Channel has beaten Viacom’s Nickelodeon for the first time in total viewership for 2015. Disney Channel averaged 1.23 million viewers, beating Nickelodeon by 30,000 viewers.  Overall, it is positive news for Disney Channel, which currently has a 90% penetration among the U.S. pay-TV households and generates $1.5 billion in annual subscription revenues, according to our estimates

Disney followers

http://www.forbes.com/sites/greatspeculations/2016/01/04/media-notes-disney-channel-beats-nickelodeon-in-total-viewership-for-the-first-time-in-19-years/

The Director of the movie is celebrated in Asia, America and beyond. Popular for movies like Kamatsutra, mooson winds and vanity fair.

Mira has https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mira_Nair

The cast comprises of Lupita Nyongo who has garnered over 2.5 million followers on Facebook and 418.5K followers on twitter.

The production company Walt Disney has 13 million followers and Disney as a company has 36 million followers.

It is now time we brace ourselves for the role of the filming industry in the promotion of Uganda’s tourism.

THE POWER OF BARCA CELEBRITIES IN PROMOTING UGANDA

 

 

The idea of Uganda Tourism Board to use the Barcelona legends to promote Uganda as a preferred destination of choice is a big step in the right direction. This will perharps increase traffic to the Pearl of Africa.

The Jamaican tourism board is one of the beneficiaries of sports celebrity endorsement. Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt was part of the Jamaican tourism campaign in 2010 and 2013 and it yielded positive results.

The Barca players appeal to an international audience that is tech-savvy. The local demographic of 25+ years can afford a trip, and grew up marveling at the skills of Puyol, Patrick Kluivert, Edgar Davids.

According to a global Canadean consumer survey, which was conducted in 48 countries with more than 50,000 respondents, over 27% of the global population have an interest in celebrity culture.

As we prepare to flock Namboole Stadium, which according to the Domestic tourism study receives over 140,000 persons annually , it is important to take a look at the Barca legends, and verify the magnitude of the visit.

 

NO.	NAME	AGE	COUNTRY	BARCA YEARS	HONOURS
1	LUDOVIC GIULY (Currently plays Dor Monts dor Azergues	39	FRANCE	2004-2007
2	EDGAR STEVEN DAVIDS ( Has 437 K followers on twitter)	42	NETHERLANDS	2004	List of FIFA 100  World’s greatest footballers alive
3	GIANLUCA ZAMBROTTA (Has 47,215 followers on twitter)	38	ITALY	2006-2008	Decorated as the knight of the order of Merit of Italia in Republic
4	FRANCESCO COCO	38	ITALY	2001-2002	Coco is a top celebrity in Italy
5	ANDERSON LUIS de SOUZA (DECO)	38	BRAZIL/PORTUGAL	2004-2008	2006 FIFA World Cup Golden Ball; UEFA Club football player(2006)
6	LUIS GARCIA (Has 279,000 followers on twitter)	37	SPAIN	1994-1997
7	JUILIANO BELLETI (Has 1.04 million twitter followers)	39	BRAZIL	2004-2007	2002 World Cup winning Squad
8	JESUS MARIANO	49	SPAIN
9	JUILIO IGLESIAS ROUGET	43	SPAIN	1990-1995	UEFA European U-16 in 1988
10	ALBERT TOMAS SOBREPRERA	44	SPAIN
11	Lluis CARRERA FERRER	43	SPAIN	1990-1995	UEFA CUP WINNER 96-97; SUPER CUP 97
12	ROGER GARCIA JUNYENTE	38	SPAIN	1994-1999
13	OSCAR ARPON OCHOA	40	SPAIN	1994-1995	CURRENT MANAGER CA RIVER EBRO
14	SANTIAGO ESQUERRO MARIN	38	SPAIN	2005-2008
15	BARJUAN ESCLUSA SERGI	43	SPAIN	1988-1993
16	ALBERT LUQUE MARTOS	37	SPAIN	1991-1997
17	SIMAO SABROSA	36	PORTUGAL	1999-2001	MEDAL OF MERIT /Order of the Immaculate Conception of Vila Vicosa (House of Braganza)
18	PATRICK STEPHEN KLUIVERT (Has 795K followers on twitter)	39	NETHERLANDS	1998-2004	UEFA EURO 2000 Golden Boot , FIFA 100, Netherland All time top scorer 2003-2013
19	GAIZKA MENDIETA ZABALA	41	SPAIN	2002-2003	UEFA Club Football Awards: Best Midfielder 1999–2000

# 8 IS A DESTINATION YOU MUST NOT MISS IN 2016

 

Leaving no stone unturned, the Business insider picks 12 emerging destinations adventurers and trendsetters will love in 2016 and # 8 is going to make you smile!

The top 12 destinations in 2016

12: Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska

11: Japan

10: Gabon

9: Guyana

8: Uganda

Half the world’s wild mountain gorillas inhabit Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Trekking to see them is a wildlife experience of a lifetime. The larger-than-life, humanlike gorillas and chimps induce an indescribable affection for nature. Uganda sits on the corridor of migration, it’s national parks, Queen Victoria and Kidepo Valley, attracting much wildlife. Gushing Murchison Falls, Jinja’s source of the River Nile and Explosion Crater Lakes turn the landlocked nation into a lush oasis.

Head to Ngamba Island Chimp Sanctuary, an island in Lake Victoria, crossing the equator on the boat there, to meet orphaned and rescued chimps living in a pristine island paradise.

Why Now? The country aims to become middle-income by 2040, a plan incentivized further by the Pope’s recent landmark visit.

7: Iran

6: Taiwan

5: Madagascar

4: The Artic

3: Mongolia

2: Papua New Guinea

1: Kyrgyzstan

Details:http://www.businessinsider.com/emerging-travel-destinations-for-2016-2015-12?r=UK&IR=T

2015 WINNERS -UGANDA TOURISM AWARDS

 

Solomon Oleny-Best Tourism Journalist 2015

Find out who clinched victory at the Tourism Excellence Awards night in Victoria ballroom at Kampala Serena Hotel on Friday.

LIST OF WINNERS

• Best Luxury Hotel-Chobe Safari Lodge
• Best Midrange Hotel – Bunyonyi Overland
• Best Budget accommodation -Red Chilli Hostel
• Best Campsite– Ntoroko Game Lodge
• Best Homestay -Tinka’s Homestead
• Best Tour Operator Local– Great Lakes Safaris
• Best Tour Operators International -Matoke Tours
• Best Airline -Brussels Airlines
• Best Cultural Centre -Igongo Cultural centre
• Male Personality -Amos Wekesa
• Female Personality – Babra Adoso
• Best Supporting Agencies -UNDP and World Bank
• Tourism Initiative -Ishasha community Initiative
• Tourism TV Program– Uganda Ekuula
• Conservation Personality -Archilles Byaruhanga
• Conservation group -Uganda Wildlife Education Centre
• General Safari Guide -Deogratius Muhumuza
• Best Tourism Digital Media– Diary of a Mzungu
• Tourism Journalist– Solomon Oleny
• Best Tourism Destination – Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
• Best Tourism Print Media – The New Vision
• Best Print Magazine – The Eye

THE BRIEF STORY OF THE UGANDA JEWS

Joab Jonadam explains to tour operators about Abayudaya

 

The history of the Abayudaya/Judaism begins in 1919 by a muganda man who travelled from Buganda with the British colonialists and conquered the eastern part of Uganda. The man had been promised Kingship of Eastern Uganda.

 

Many years later, he was disappointed by the colonialists who gave him 20 square miles and the rest to be owned by them. When he arrived from Buganda, he was christian. On realising he had been disillusioned, he began reading the Bible and criticizing Christianity as a form of revenge.

In the Bible, the Old testament commands a male child to be circumcised on the 8th day of his birth, but Christianity does not abide by that. Secondly, Christians honour the first day of the week-Sunday, when he discovered the seventh day as Saturday, he went up in arms and preached against Sunday. This led him to fall apart with the Christian colonial masters and he formed his own religion.

The locals of the area where he lived had read the bible. Whenever he called upon people to circumcise and honour the Saturday, they refered to the faith practices as Jewish. He later mobilized the masses and they became Jews. Semei Kakungulu died in 1928, and Samson Mugombe took over.

In 1970’s when the reign of Idi Amin was activated, the Jewish practices were abolished and the land were present day Abayudaya live was taken over by Christians. The sons of the founder father Semei Kakungulu had converted to Christianity.

In 1980, the grandchild of Mugombe called Joab Jonadam, who is currently the caretaker organised a group of youths and revived the faith. They were arrested and imprisoned because the local leaders were Christians and Muslims. Fortunately, the Special District Administrator( SDA) currently known as the RDC rescued them and they stood firm on the ground were the faith was born.

Among the youths who were tortured is Rabai Garshom Sizomwe who was trained in America for five years. He can now speak and write Hebrew.

The jews do not eat Pigs, camel, fish without scales and entirely believe in the old testament. They therefore, believe Jesus has never appeared on earth.

For Further Information about this faith-based attraction and research about the ABAYUDAYA, Contact

Joab Jonadam -0702 222 570

LIST OF UGANDA TOURISM CLUSTER HEADS PUBLISHED

Deputy CEO Uganda Tourism Board John Ssempebwa explains that clusters are meant to produce greater synergies through their geographical nearness. He cites an example of EETN of Eastern Uganda which  comprises of Hotel owners, tour operators, Safari guides, rangers, restaurant operators, car hire service providers, entertainment groups, tourism beauty Queens, students among others.

A Tourism cluster is a geographical agglomeration of companies, suppliers, service providers and associated institutions in the field of travel and tourism, linked by external factors and complementary of various types.

According to the Quality Assurance team at UTB, the clusters come with benefits such as; identifying and mapping tourism products and services in the cluster, increase turnover by offering joint product, protecting mutual interests based on sustainable and Competitive principles,  positive development and competitiveness in tourism promotion.

L-R-Fred-Oloka-UCOMA-Chairperson-and-John-Ssempebwa-launching-the-Community-Museums-Publication (Credit: Chimpreports)

OFFICIAL  TOURISM CLUSTER HEADS 2015
	REGIONAL CLUSTER	HEAD	PHONE	EMAIL
1	ACHOLI	AWAN TONNY	0784 143 004	komaaton@gmail.com
2	BUGANDA	SSEBULIBA GODFREY	0705 700 367	christsebuliba@gmail.com
3	BUNYORO	APOLLO RWAMPARO	0779 520 866	jrwamparo@gmail.com
4	BUSOGA	EDWARD BALIDDAWA	0772 502 121	edward.baliddawa@gmail.com
5	EASTERN/ EETN	ISAIAH WEBOYA	0758 210 111	gm@mbaleresort.com
6	ANKOLE/ GANTONE	MATSIKO KAHUNGA	0772 447 891	bukanga@yahoo.com
7	KARAMOJA
8	KIGEZI	NICHOLAUS BYENGOMA	0772 824 718	ampumrest@gmail.com
9	LANGO	MUGABE ALELE	0772 628 462	dmugabe5@gmail.com
10	RWENZORI	MUHUMUZA MOSES	0750 769 079	musacot@gmail.com
11	SSESE	KIKOMEKO SUSAN	0783 459 421	joyce@sseseislandsbeachhotel.com
13	WEST NILE	MOSES AKUMA	0754 133 144	777iga@gmail.com

For Details:

Contact John SSEMPEBWA

DEPUTY CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

 UGANDA TOURISM BOARD

Plot 42 Windsor Crescent, Kololo

P.O. Box 7211 Kampala, Uganda

Tel: +256 (0) 414 342 196/7

E: jssempebwa@utb.go.ug 

W: www.visituganda.com