Deputy Speaker, Thomas Tayebwa has pledged enhanced authorities dedication to Uganda’s tourism sector vowing elevated funding and prioritisation to rework it right into a key financial driver.
Speaking because the chief visitor on the Ekkula Sustainable Tourism Awards 2024 held on the Sheraton Hotel in Kampala on Friday, 15 November 2024, Tayebwa acknowledged the sector’s resilience regardless of inadequate authorities help.
“Even with restricted funding, you’re doing an amazing job. You are travelling all around the world, advertising our nation and delivering a masterpiece that’s attracting many individuals to this lovely nation of ours,” he stated.
Tayebwa stated that within the subsequent monetary yr, the federal government will deal with tourism as a precedence, recognising its immense potential to spice up Uganda’s economic system.
He famous that tourism, alongside agriculture, minerals and science and expertise, has been earmarked as a spotlight space underneath the “ATM” sectors, geared toward exponentially growing nationwide income.
“We have resolved to make tourism a precedence. Last monetary yr, the sector introduced in $1.4 billion. But we envision tourism contributing $50 billion by 2050. This requires heavy funding, and the federal government is able to step up,” Tayebwa acknowledged.
The Deputy Speaker highlighted key areas of funding like advertising, branding and infrastructure growth.
He revealed plans for extra airports and aerodromes, together with partnerships to construct an airport in Kasese underneath a public-private partnership.
“It is excessive time we got here in. If we’re to exploit a cow, we should feed it. We can’t obtain a lot by merely giving speeches. We at the moment are strolling the speak,” he added.
The Ekkula Sustainable Tourism Awards celebrated achievements within the sector, with President Yoweri Museveni receiving the Ekkula Sustainable Lifetime Achiever Award 2024 for his function in selling tourism.
Eliot Mugisha was awarded the sustainable tourism youth championship equally for his function in selling tourism in Uganda.
As Uganda goals for financial transformation, Tayebwa assured the tourism neighborhood that their efforts would now not go unsupported.
“The subsequent billionaires will come from tourism. We are dedicated to creating this sector a high contributor to our economic system,” he stated.
He emphasised the necessity to enhance Kampala, typically the primary level of contact for worldwide guests, describing it because the “sitting room of the nation.” Tayebwa underscored the significance of cleanliness, infrastructure and fashionable utilities to make the capital extra welcoming.
“We can’t have a grimy Kampala or one with potholes and count on individuals to understand our nation. The second you land in Entebbe, the expertise have to be transformative. We have invested closely in decongesting town, and this should mirror in its total look,” he stated.
