The new UTB boss promises a quadruple tourists number increase

Uganda is the leading tourism destination in Africa that provides various attractive packages including game viewing, gorilla tracking, primate watching ,boat riding, hiking, cultural tours and many more. These activities make a visitor’s  trip one of those trips that cannot be  forgotten due to the magnificent adventures guaranteed.

For the past few years, the country has received very many nominations including the 2012 nomination as the leading tourist’s destination on the continent. This has made the country to experience an increase in the number of visitors with intentions of looking at the hard-to – find wild animals and unique cultured people. This development is because of the strong management that is provided by UTB in seeing that the country is recognized worldwide. Currently, Uganda attracts about 1.2m tourists per year and 60% specifically come for gorilla trekking tours.

Ever since the introduction of this board (UTB), many executive directors have been selected and the recent one is Steven Asimwe who promised to promote development for the better of the whole nation. He promised to engage the whole country and work with regional partners, the government, conservation groups, media and various cultural institutions to implement his tourism master plan.

Asimwe will be deputized by John Ssempebwa together with whom, new transformations in the tourism sector shall be attained. The new executive director urged the private investors to exploit the existing opportunities in tourism.

The wide collection of attractions have helped to keep this East African country on the international scene including River Nile’s declaration as one of the 7 wonders of Africa and Kidepo Valley National Park’s naming as one of the best in Africa. Another thing that has helped to increase Uganda Safaris through keeping the name on the face of the world is the award won by the tree climbing lions of Ishasha ( in the  National Geographic photo). These lions have not only attracted visitors to Africa,but it has also helped to promote the continent.

This Eat African country is also a bird watching paradise with over 1050 different species among which include rare species that cannot be found elsewhere in the world.

According to UTB official, Uganda the sector is faced with a problem of limited funding by the government compared to its neighbors -Rwanda, Kenya and Tanzania. The current budget to the tourism sector is sh221m which is inadequate to market the country’s products worldwide.

Another problem that is affecting the sector is poaching with statistics indicating Rhinos as the most killed wild animals. This has left Uganda with less than 3500 rhinos, a number that scares the industry. This dangerous activity has prompted the government to train more rangers who will scout the national parks during day and night. Modern equipments have been bought by the government that will help in the monitoring of the parks to see those poachers with intentions of killing the animals.

In her speech, the minister of tourism, Maria Mutagamba urged the rest of the world to help Africa in the fight of poaching because Ivory is mainly sold to European countries.