When the story of Busoga’s tourism revival is told, one name stands out above the rest — Hon. Hellen Namutamba.
Described by many as the savior and the brain behind the thriving Busoga tourism sector, the Busoga Tourism and Heritage Ministry head has transformed a once-stalled industry into one of Uganda’s most vibrant tourism destinations.
When she took charge, many of Busoga’s treasured sites were less known, poorly promoted, and largely ignored. The industry was on a sliding door. But under her visionary leadership, Namutamba embarked on an aggressive drive to organize the media, stakeholders, and communities to promote the region’s hidden gems — and the results speak for themselves.
Today, sites such as the Source of the Nile, Kagulu Hill, Bishop Hannington Shrine, Igenge Palace, Itanda Falls, Kalagala Falls, John Speke Monument, Mpumuire Hill and Busiira Heritage Hill, among others, are now significant landmarks attracting local and international tourists to the region.
At the centre of this revival is the now-famous Kagulu Rock Challenge, which under her stewardship has grown from a local activity into a must-attend national event that draws thousands of climbers, tourists, and media attention to Busoga every year.
Hon. Namutamba has also been instrumental in supporting the annual international festival ‘The Nyege Nyege’, which has become a top-notch marketer of the region’s tourism because of the large number of visitors it attracts from across the world. Through the festival, Busoga is showcased globally as a hub of culture, music, and adventure.
She has equally transformed Miss Tourism Busoga into a big and attractive event, now receiving wider media coverage and bigger participation than ever before, giving young women a platform to become tourism ambassadors for the region.
When it comes to tourism, Busoga is now a force to reckon with, and many credit this turnaround to Namutamba’s passion, consistency, and hands-on leadership.
“Namutamba is a woman made of her own salt in tourism. She deserves recognition,” Wansolo said of her.
“It is my prayer that one day she will be Minister of Tourism. The way she is promoting tourism in Busoga is at a very high level,” Lydia Naisikwe said.
From forgotten sites to world-class attractions, from small local events to international festivals, Hellen Namutamba has put Busoga on the tourism map.
She truly deserves an international award for her tourism promotion excellence!
