Ugandan tourism sector at its peak, will survive political shocks

Ssempbwa (right), flanked by Wekesa, Karuhanga and host Iguma (left)

The Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) is confident that the country will ride out the storm created by the recent political fallout following the elections in Arua Municipality.

"Our tourism is now on a stronger foundation, and cannot be shaken by shocks like the one we have been going through," said John Ssempebwa,deputy Executive Director Uganda Tourism board.

He was speaking on The Radio One 90.00fm talk show Spectrum on Thursday. MP Gerald Karuhanga, and Amos Wekesa of Great Lakes Safaris were the other guests on the evening talk show moderated by Gabriel Iguma. 

The panel discussed the implications of poor management of Ugandan political disagreements and the governance situation and its potential to destroy the gains that have been made in many sectors, including tourism.

This follows the recent Arua elections, that descended into chaos after the President's convoy was reportedly pelted with stones on the even of the vote. Four legislators including Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine were detained, and have now been charged with treason. There was unrest in Kampala and several towns across the country, with angry supporters battling police and the army.

UTB still expects record year

"For the first time in Uganda's history this is gonig to be best ever for tourism because of our new marketing strategy," boasted UTB's Ssempebwa. " Had we not brought in this new strategy, the shocks would have impacted us."

He explained that " A few years ago, the marketing strategy was mainly about going for exhibitions. We changed that, we do not rely on expos as the major marketing thrust , we rely on firms, marketing experts resident in in the large markets of UK, US and Germany."

Ssempebwa said from these countries, they have already this August received more tourists than they did the whole of last year.

'We are better than Rwanda'

"Our strategy is based on a strong foundation that is even more effective that that of a country down there that put money in a football team that is always losing," he said, referring to Rwanda's deal with Arsenal.

"Marketing in tourism targets awareness, interest, desire and action," he said, stressing that the Arsenal deal only gives Rwanda awareness.

"Our strategy is we have agents who wake up US, UK Germany daily to talk to tour operators, consumer groups." It is more effective, he said.



Tourism and insecurity cannot coexist

While Amos Wekesa, owner of Great Lakes Safaris agreed with UTB on the increased numbers of visiting tourists, he warned that tourism and insecurity cannot coexist.

"If we have challenges like this it affects business", and said " Uganda has never experienced the opportunities it has had this year.

He revealed that there was growth worldwide in the tourism sector. (see story below).

He said UTB should be doing even more to market "Brand Uganda", and to fight the effects of the recent political protests, officials should be in the field talking to international media, instead of being in Kampala studios.

"We have overcome these things before. A two week shocker we will recover from," responded Ssepembwa, adding that "Let's stop sending out negative message, let's recoup and this year will be the best Uganda has ever seen in tourism."

Resolve succession issues

MP Karuhanga narrated his ordeal in Arua and in court, and said all the political problems created out of the Arua elections could have been avoided.

He said they all have to do with an unclear succession plan by the president, and warned that unless Uganda learnt from its history of turmoil, all sectors, including tourism will suffer.

OO: Bobi Wine would have been more comfortable in Makindye

Four Gangsters at today's show. They were joined by MP Ssekikubo
 and Lydia Wanyoto

A heated discussion on the recent events on the political scene on The Capital Gang on Capital 91.3Fm in Kampala on Saturday ended with government spokesman saying, tongue-in-cheek, that detained legislator Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine is missing the much more comfortable detention facilities in Makindye.

Bobi Wine's lawyers have accused security forces of torturing him after his arrest and detention after the Arua elections. He was first charged with possessing guns in the military court, but on Thursday the case was dropped, and he was instead charged for treason in a civilian court, and detained in Gulu till next week.

CAPITAL GANG VIDEOS

Mugisha Muntu statement

FILE PHOTO: Mugisha Muntu (left) and Bobi Wine

Former Forum For Democratic Change (FDC) president Maj. Gen (Rtd) Mugisha Muntu has spoken out on today's riots in the city that followed the arrest of legislator Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine.

Here is his full statement 


While we continue to pursue all possible means to #FreeBobiWine, I would like to urge the men and women in uniform to choose right over might and desist from being used as pawns in the unjust and highhanded torture of Ugandans. Find below, my message to them.

#CountryBeforeSelf

STATEMENT

Fellow Ugandans,

Over the past several days, we have seen an escalation in violent confrontation of civilians by security forces. Our sources have also confirmed to us that there are on-going efforts to pressure police officers in Arua to testify that they found our colleague, Hon. Robert Kyagulanyi with arms, contrary to their sworn duty to effect justice and truth. 
As a former Commander of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces and now retired service man, I would like to take this opportunity to speak directly to our country’s security forces:

Your sole purpose in the army and police is to serve the people. It is to them, and not any government, past or present, that all power belongs. As one that has served under authority, I know what it means to be faced with a choice between obeying an order from above and doing the right thing. I know what it means to be caught between serving your Commander-in-Chief and serving those that choose your Commander-in-Chief. It is hard to choose to do the right thing, especially when such noble action would likely be rewarded with harsh treatment and doing the wrong thing holds the promise of state protection. But you need to remember this; before you wore that uniform, you wore with honour the badge of citizenship. And it is that badge that you will retire to sooner or later. You had better make decisions in uniform that will ensure your safety when you are out of it. If you choose today, to side with those oppressing the people, you will not only have failed in your duty to serve and protect, but you will also have thrown away your conscience as a citizen. 

The people giving you unlawful orders are no more human than you are. And sooner or later, you will be a civilian, just like the people you are being asked to torment and treat unjustly. The people of Uganda recognise the work that you do to keep the country stable and safe. We recognise your sacrifices for the sake of peace. Both home and abroad, you have served humanity with distinction, helping stabilize the region and ensure law and order are kept at home. It is not you that the people of Uganda have an issue with. As Hon. Kyagulanyi quite rightly put it, ‘we are not fighting you, we are fighting for you’.

I have said I know how hard it is to be in the position you are in today. But I also know how satisfying it is to choose right over wrong. There is nothing more rewarding, nothing more fulfilling, than leaving the army and finding that you do not need a gun on your shoulders to live peacefully with your neighbours.

As you go about your duties, ask yourselves the same question I have asked fellow servicemen over the years; if you willingly break the law to protect those in power against the law, what makes you think you will have the protection of the law when those in power leave? And they will one day leave, just as surely as the sun rises and sets. 

I urge you to choose right over might.

God bless you.

MUSEVENI statement

President Museveni. FILE PHOTO

President Yoweri Museveni has penned another missive explaining how and why the Arua elections ended violently, and concluded with the arrest of several including Kassiano Wadri who won the election, and popular Kyandondo legislator Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine. 

In his fourth social media missive in one week, he blamed the opposition for resorting to violence to help them win elections and attached a video from the recent elections.

HERE IS HIS FACEBOOK POST

****



Fellow Ugandans, thank you for your responses following my most recent post on events that followed the by-election in Arua Municipality. 

The problem in Arua was caused by Bobi Wine's group together with Kassiano Wadri, who attacked me, a useless action because I am protected and I can defend myself. 

The more serious issue is these chronically indisciplined people attacking women and children, destroying people's property etc. 

Who is Bobi Wine or anybody to beat our people and for what? Watch the videos of Jinja and Bugiri, which are attached to this post. Should that happen in Uganda and why? 

If the Army had not intervened in Arua, a lot of people would have been killed by this Bobi Wine group. They had gathered stones, knives and there were reports of even guns. 

Why is it that we have never heard of any incident where the NRM supporters have ever attacked the Opposition supporters? Do you remember how the Bobi Wines were attacking the other MPs in Parliament? Are we to allow them to attack the Wanainchi in similar ways? 

How about assaulting soldiers or policemen? Do you remember the policeman, Ariong, who died from a stone throw? The security forces should be commended for saving mass deaths in spite of the fact that many of them were not equipped for anti-riot. 

Nevertheless, they managed to subdue, without shooting these violent characters who were trying to attack them as you saw their conduct in Parliament. I will study more the issue of the driver who died. 

Hon. Zake's story is that he colluded with nurses to escape from the hospital in Arua where he had been taken after his violent confrontation with the security forces. 

The Police has not moved to rearrest him because he resurfaced in a hospital in Kampala. Let him recover, the charges still await him. Resisting arrest is disobeying a lawful order. It is punishable by a sentence of imprisonment for two years.

Those who pretend to support the Opposition are misleading them by failing to advise them to stop intimidating and attacking Ugandans. The Ugandans, led by us, will resist them. 

The limited counter-attack in Arua of arresting and putting in lawful custody the perpetrators that are suspected to have attacked people, like it happened in Jinja, Bugiri etc, should send a warning to those who are in the habit of miscalculating. 

This group has been putting on red to signify their intention to shed blood; and they have been putting on Army red berets to signify their intention of using military means. We have ignored those threatening signals. 

However, to threaten Ugandans by words and to actually attack them by stones, clubs and guns, will not be tolerated. To rape women because they are NRM, or, indeed, raping any woman, qualifies one for a death sentence in the Law Courts of Uganda. 

To destroy property by throwing stones is not acceptable. To disenfranchise Ugandans by importing illegal voters from other areas is tantamount to treason because it overthrows the power of the people in the given area to elect their leaders. 

If you do not see these as problems, then you are a fascist. The Security forces must be commended because they saved mass deaths by dispersing these misguided people without using rifle fire, considering the fact that many of them were not equipped for anti- riot duties notwithstanding. 

The Regional and District Police Commanders, who should have anticipated the actions of these groups, since they had done the same in Jinja East and Bugiri, have been suspended. The DISO has also been removed. To show the bad faith of Bobi Wine and Zaake, they were changing hotels- from Hotel Royale to Pacific Hotel etc. Why were they hiding? 

Kassiano Wadri, on the other hand, who should not have been in the company of such violent people, did not change residences and did not engage in hand to hand combat with security forces, from the reports I got. 

His mistake may be to organize and participate in such a violent procession and to import illegal voters. The court will decide according to the evidence. Stop supporting impunity, stop supporting election cheating, stop supporting violence whatever side you are on. 

As already said above, I am investigating the circumstances of the driver of Bobi Wine who died. Five people were also reported in hospital with gun- wounds. We shall get the circumstances of those cases. 

In certain circumstances, the Police can use live bullets if they are not equipped with anti-riot equipment and the rioters are on the verge of killing innocent people. That is also possible. 

The question is: "Why do you riot? Why not use legitimate and peaceful ways of expressing your opinion?" When they stoned my car, what was the reason? If they could be so reckless to attack me, how would they spare the poor Wanainchi? Good enough, my protection force did not respond immediately. 

They delivered me to the helicopter and went back to rescue the Wanainchi, which they generally did in spite of the circumstances. That is why no local mwanainchi was killed by the hooligans. They did not have enough time to do the damage they intended. 

Another unfortunate incident was reported in Mityana where, again, a riotous group connected to the same Zaake and Bobi Wine was threatening the town. The anti- riot police, this time, I am informed, non- lethally dispersed the group. 

However, some two Policemen, who were on their own, fired aimlessly and some of the bullets caught innocent travellers that were not even part of the riot, killing one person. This action is condemned by me and the Police leadership. The culprits have been arrested and will be charged, maybe, with criminal negligence or manslaughter. 

Nevertheless, the original Kavuyo was caused by the rioters which, then, precipitates other mistakes to happen. I think the last time gun shots were heard in Mityana may be in 1985 when the 5th Battalion under Kashaka, defeated the poor Karimojong youth that had been imported by Lutwa to fight the NRA. 

RELATED POSTS

MUSEVENI: We shall not allow violence in elections - https://t.co/erc6JARC7p pic.twitter.com/Jlrd1FPq89

— The Independent (@UGIndependent) August 19, 2018

MUSEVENI: Why should a Ugandan be beaten or intimidated on account of politics? #Arua #Politics https://t.co/dskt0XxzRw FILE PHOTO pic.twitter.com/ydo2Unp43N

— The Independent (@UGIndependent) August 17, 2018

MUSEVENI: There was no harm on the old man with a hat - https://t.co/9z3PEgP0uE pic.twitter.com/S3n6X6tlBa

— The Independent (@UGIndependent) August 15, 2018

 

What happened in Arua?

Journalist Sabiti on Capital Gang Saturday. PHOTO @capitalfmuganda

NBS journalist Joseph Sabiti has said the recently concluded election in Arua does not say much about the organisational abilities of either NRM or FDC as individual merit remains a key factor, in parliamentary elections in the municipality.

"If you look at the voting patterns of elections since 1996 in the municipality, you will notice that they vote for example for Besigye, but the bulk of the MPs have been NRM. So individual merit is a big big factor....what you project as a person, other than the political party," he said.

"The biggest issue in Arua is power, and Wadri understood that best."

He was explaining the reasons why Kassiano Wadri won easily, in an election that ended not only in the defeat of the NRM and FDC candidates, but put focus on the district after one person was shot dead in post-election skirmishes, and five MPs, including Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine detained.

*****


Sabiti explained the circumstances that led to the arrest, throwing new light on a case that has seen the legislators charged with treason, and Bobi Wine, who is reported to have been assaulted, facing the court martial.

Sabiti was speaking on The Capital Gang on Capital 91.3Fm in Kampala on Saturday. 

******

Welcome to #TheCapitalGang.

Join the Studio Live coverage on Facebook. pic.twitter.com/0ZpaQPlgV3

— Capital FM Uganda (@capitalfmuganda) August 18, 2018

Always a pleasure hosting the nation’s great thinkers on #TheCapitalGang.

Same time, same place.

See you next week.

CATCH-UP on what you missed in today’s edition on our Facebook page. pic.twitter.com/yY8VEtPprN

— Capital FM Uganda (@capitalfmuganda) August 18, 2018

LIVE: Katuntu speaks out on FDC

Katuntu on the show today. PHOTO CAPITAL FM MEDIA

Member of Parliament for Bugweri Abdu Katuntu has said the differences in the Forum For Democratic Change (FDC) are not about recent elections nor about money.

He said the party simply has two tendencies, and like in aviation, is currently facing turbulence. 

Katuntu said the party and its 'captains' now face three possibilities - the "FDC plane" will either ride through the turbulence, crash land or have an outright crash.

The debate, he said, should be "has the FDC reached the tipping point" in the turbulence? 

Katuntu also dismissed reports that there is a fight over who controls or gives out funds in the party.

"Every body says it is (the conflict) about money, money, money, money. The other day I was making a formal calculation how much money I have put into the party. I contribute monthly, and I have done it from 2007, monthly, religiously... it is a contribution in millions...formally every month," he explained. 

"This (disagreement in FDC) is not about money to some of us, it is about trying to build a party..... but the country is so cynical that nobody does anything in good faith or for the country, 'they all do it for money', which actually is not correct."

Katuntu was speaking on The Capital Gang on Capital 91.3Fm in Kampala on Saturday. HERE BELOW, THE CLIP

VIDEO: KATUNTU RESPONSE TO EARLIER ANALYSIS BY GANGSTERS

EARLIER VIDEO


CONCLUDING VIDEO FROM SATURDAY'S CAPITAL GANG

VIDEO: How it came to be Munyagwa Mugati gwa Bata

Nanfi on The Capital Gang today

Lawyer Anne Mary Nanfuka has said that Forum for Democratic Change's decision to select Mubarak  Munyangwa to replace Abdu Katuntu as chair of the powerful COSACE (Committee on Com­mis­sions, Statu­tory Au­thor­i­ties and State En­tre­prises) is a final sign that the party is "dead".

Discussion was heated on The Capital Gang on Capital 91.3Fm in Kampala on Saturday as the gangsters tried to explain the changes to the standing committees of parliament by the opposition FDC.

Katuntu called it a purge, saying he will consult with colleagues who have been dropped by FDC President Patrick Amuriat. "If it was a reshuffle, there would be nothing wrong with it, but this does not seem to be a reshuffle. It is a purge!" he said. 

THE VIDEO