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.