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Tag: Ministry of Tourism

  • Photos: Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo ends on a high with Grand Festival!!

    Photos: Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo ends on a high with Grand Festival!!

    After three days filled with various conferences, exhibitions, and showcases, the 9th edition of the Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo concluded on Saturday with a vibrant music and cultural festival at the Lakeside Gardens, Speke Resort Munyonyo, marking a grand climax to the event that commenced on May 21, 2025, and wrapped up on May 24, 2025.

    The festival, organized by the Ministry of Wildlife and Antiquities, was headlined by the singing trio Jackie Chandiru, Lillian Mbabazi, and Cindy Sanyu from Blu *3, Renowned ‘Binyanyanya’ DJ Suuna Ben, Winnie Nwagi, comedy duo Madrat and Chiko, Aliddeki Brian, Abeeka Band, Crane Performers, DJ Tony, and Alpha Otim.

    Salvado Idringi, Adele Kiele, and Sheilla Gashumba were the hosts during the festival.
    The activities started with a boating regatta experience at Lake Victoria for some guests before DJ Tony kicked off the day with deejay mixes that took the audience to the first performance from the Crane Performers. Their showcase delved into the different Ugandan cultures exhibited in dance and music.

    Brian Aliddeki’s distinctive musical style, blending traditional Ugandan rhythms, melodies with contemporary sounds, especially on songs like Empaako Ya Niwooha, Akasilikiro, and Njagala Nkwagale, excited mostly the foreigners in attendance.

    At 6 pm, Abeeka Band took to the stage, and their 45-minute performances didn’t seem enough for the crowd, who sang along to every cover that the band did. Their set was so good that they returned to play for an extra five minutes as requested by Salvador and the audience.
    Madrat and Chiko came next, with skits centered on their travels in Uganda and abroad. They did so well that they left the audience roaring with laughter.

    IGC, a pioneering Ugandan fashion label co-founded by Katende Godfrey, was the official fashion curator for the expo, and during the closing ceremony, they showcased a unique perspective focusing on sustainability and heritage.
    This showcase presented original outfits that reimagine Lubugo (barkcloth), tracing its evolution from traditional fabric to modern fashion.

    Regarded as the pioneer of Acholitronix – a mixture of electronic music and Acholi traditional instruments, Otim Alpha tapped into a new audience, and his traditional Acholi ‘Larakaraka’ music excited some people in the crowd, especially those who are familiar with that language.

    Winnie Nwagi’s set brought people close to the stage, and she put up a splendid performance with songs like Gyangu, chekecha, matala, musawo, magic, okubye nyo, fire dancer, Amaaso with Vinka, Malaika, and Batuleke.

    “I have hosted events before, but last night I was in awe … during the day, we had a lot of classy people .. you know the wareva type, at night during Suuna set .. all I saw was kubakubakubakuba .. I got goosebumps .. never seen anything like that … this man is who he says he is .. I’ve allowed,” Salvado tweeted after Suuna Ben’s set.

    Suuna Ben’s session didn’t last more than 40 minutes, but it left everyone, including the bazungus, looking like they were possessed.
    Shortly after his performance, BLU *3 took it away, reminding the audience with their throwback songs like Nsanyuka Nawe, Hitaji, Mutima Gwange, Where You Are, and Sanyu Lyange, among others.

    The Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo (POATE) is an annual event showcasing Uganda’s unique attractions, promoting the country as a prime destination for tourism investment, partnerships, and cultural exploration.
    This concept brings together tourism operators, travel agents, hospitality stakeholders, and investors from around the world, creating a platform to promote Uganda’s brand as “The Pearl of Africa.

    The pearl of Africa tourism expo was sponsored by the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Uganda Tourism Board, Uganda Wildlife Authority, Skills Excel, Uganda Tourism Association, Uganda Wildlife Research and Training Institute, Uganda Waragi, IGC (Official Fashion Curator), Talent Africa Group, Uganda Airlines, KCCA, PSFU, UN Global Pulse, Lemala Wild Waters, Speke Resort Convention Center and was organized by Talent Africa Group, Uganda’s leading 360 events Management Company.

  • Explore Uganda Tourism Campaign Goes To The West

    Explore Uganda Tourism Campaign Goes To The West

    Ugandans turned up in numbers for the #ExploreWest tourism campaign that kicked off on Wednesday 12th April running till Sunday 16th April 2023.

    Organized by the Ministry of Tourism and its partners, the 5-day event aimed at boosting local tourism in the Western region of Uganda after the Covid-19 pandemic was kicked off at the Uganda Museum by Hon. Martin Mugarra Bahinduka, the state minister for tourism, officials from the Tourism Ministry Departments and Agencies, Explore Uganda Ambassadors among other people.

    Western Uganda is a region that is known for its stunning natural beauty, diverse wildlife, rich cultural heritage, and vibrant communities

    The trail Caravan set off from the Uganda Museum in Kampala at 10 am stopovers at the Equator in Kayabwe and Lukaya along the Kampala Masaka highway before stopping in Mbarara to view Zebras at Lake Mburo National Park and the long-horned Ankole cows at an authentic farm life at Kimihingo Agro Tourism Farm next to Lake Mburo.

    The agro-tourism program at the farm offers a unique opportunity to learn about sustainable cattle-keeping practices while enjoying the beauty of rural living before s culture evening at Igongo Cultural Centre.

    Kickboxer Moses Golola, Comedians Patrick Salvado, Madrat, Chicco, and Jjajja Bruce among other celebrities were part of the caravan that kept entertaining the crowds during the various stopovers and the entire trail.

    Day 1 was crowned in Mbarara with a stunning Explore West Nightlife Experience at Shooters Bar and Grill where the team lightened up the party with performances by Top Western Uganda singer Ray G.

    Next after Mbarara, Explore West will today Thursday 13th move to Mugaba Palace, Ankole Tea Estate, Kyambura gorge, Katunguru Bridge, and finally a grand entry into Queen Elizabeth National Park where a boat cruise and evening game drives will happen with tourists

    Day 2, will be crowned at Queen Elizabeth Park’s Tembo Canteen with a camp and Comedy Night.

    Explore West

    Since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic and the subsequent easing of the lockdown, Uganda had to refocus its tourism market by targeting the local market.

    Data from the Ministry of Tourism indicate that in 2022, Uganda registered 360,000 visitors to the national parks, up from 320,000 in 2019 before Covid-19 hit the world.

    Uganda Wildlife Conservation and Education Centre registered over 400,000 visitors also during the same period, and in both cases, the majority of the visitors were Ugandans.

    Martin Mugarra, the state minister for tourism earlier this week during the launch of the campaign said Ugandans have appreciated the country’s tourism potential and are now traveling more than foreigners.

    “We believe if this trend continues defiantly, we will be able to sustain this sector,” he said.

    He said the campaign that started with Explore East where Ugandans summited Mountain Elgon and other tourism sites within the region now heads to the West and asked Ugandans to turn in large numbers to explore the region.

    Martin Mugarra, Tourism State Minister

    “This time around we are encouraging Ugandans to travel with us to get the experience to share and talk about it. I think Elgon was a very good experience and success and it has inspired us to go on this campaign.

    The reason why we are concentrating on the domestic tourism campaign is that Covid taught us the only way we can have a resilient tourism sector moving forward, is to focus on the domestic market we are seeing the achievements and we want to thank the Ugandans,” he said.

    Uganda has one of the youngest populations globally, which the minister said will play a big part in determining the future of tourism in the country.

    “We see potential and we have a very young population and we want to encourage them to travel because if you don’t travel now then I don’t know when you will travel,” he said.

    The campaign is expected to head north after the Western tour, with both Murchison Falls National Park and the pristine Kidepo Valley National Park in sight.

    “We are not ending with this Explore West. We shall be doing Explore Northern Uganda before June, and we shall also be doing a mini hike of Mt. Rwenzori just for the domestic tourism component,” Mugarra said.

    What is on offer?

    For travel freaks, the itinerary is thick with wild ventures, ranging from the expansive Queen Elizabeth National Park to the Ankole and Toro cultural sites to wild night parties going deep into the night.

    Vivian Lyanzi, the commissioner for tourism and wildlife at the Ministry of Tourism said, “For a very long time, we thought of tourism as a foreign (muzungu) thing, it’s them who move around. It’s our time to take advantage of this beauty and enjoy it as we are supposed to enjoy it in this very country.

    As we enjoy, one of the greatest values that tourism creates is resource transfer from the tourists to centers and finally communities.”

    The tour presents a very rich April experience that starts with the long Easter break starting next weekend. A few days after Easter, fun lovers will step on the road. All one needs is money for accommodation and feeding, while the ministry and partners take care of your transportation and park access fee, which Uganda Wildlife Authority has waived off during the tour.

     

  • Tourism Ministry, UWA, UTB & Kanungu community to strengthen their working relationship

    Tourism Ministry, UWA, UTB & Kanungu community to strengthen their working relationship

    The Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities-Uganda (MTWA), Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) and the Resident District Commissioner of Kanungu District, together will local community leaders in the Ishasha Sector of the Queen Elizabeth National Park (QENP) have agreed to strengthen their working relationship to protect lions and other animals in the park. 

    This followed a fact-finding meeting, convened, over the weekend by the Minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Rtd, Col. Tom Butime at Enjojo Lodge, to understand among others, circumstances, surrounding the gruesome killing of 6 tree-climbing lions, on the 19th of March 2021.


    The meeting was attended by the Uganda Wildlife Authority Executive Director, Sam Mwandha; the Uganda Tourism Board Chief Executive Officer, Lilly Ajarova, Acting Commisioner for Tourism at the Ministry of Tourism, Wildllife and Antiquities, Dr. Akankwasa Barirega and the Kanungu District RDC, Shafik Ssekandi, Kanungu LC 5 Chairperson, Canon Josephine Kasya, as well as representatives from the police and UPDF as well as local community leaders.

    The meeting resolved to reinforce the working relationship between the UWA rangers, UPDF, Police, and the local councils to make sure, the security of the national park is stronger. They also committed to create awareness through sensitization within the communities to ensure that they appreciate the need to protect wildlife as well as understand how to address conflict.

    The meeting also resolved to do more investigations into the circumstances surrounding the grisly killing to identify all the players involved.

    The UTB CEO, Lilly Ajarova reiterated the need by communities to conserve wildlife, noting its contribution to the tourism sector.


    “As an agency philosophically driven by tourism sustainability, we are in a joint effort with the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife, and Antiquities, Tourism Agencies, Local Leaders as well as the Tourism Police in getting to the bottom of the matter at hand and seek justice for the dead lions and curb the criminals of the offence who will be sentenced accordingly,” she said.

    Queen Elizabeth National Park is Uganda’s biggest park and home to the prized tree climbing lions. With a population of over 500 lions in the country, the cats remain a key attraction to all visiting the park.

    #LoveUganda #VisitUganda

  • Shameful!!!! Kitagata Hot Springs face extinction as government ignores the Tourism potential in them

    Shameful!!!! Kitagata Hot Springs face extinction as government ignores the Tourism potential in them

    The once famous, pure and totally clean Kitagata Hot Springs in Sheema District are facing extinction due to government’s negligence.

    Kitagata Hot Springs were once regarded as the hottest in the country but it has since ceased on having the highest temperature due to floods from the near River stream Sebanga.

    This is how part of Kitagata Hot Springs looks like

    The two hot springs namely; Mulago named after Uganda’s biggest Referral Hospital Mulago due to its healing powers and Ekyomugabe which was used by the then King of Ankore known as ‘Omugabe’.

    Private individuals from the area have convinced the government to allow them develop the springs but all in vain.

    Due to poor management and negligence, the springs are withering away. Forexample, the Mulago hot spring no longer has its natural exit which closed to block water from the nearby stream from entering the springs.

    There is a need to get exavators to open the blocked water ways for the stream so that even if when it rains, water won’t be able to flood into the hot springs.

    During the 2002 flooding of the stream where hot springs exited its water to, water ways were blocked by the debris brought floods and since then, the hot springs have the never been the same always flooding when it’s rainy season.

    The ex. Minister of Tourism Hon. Ephraim Kamuntu is interestingly the area MP and under his regime nothing was done to save the naturally boiling famous water.

    Around 20 years ago, tourists especially Europeans used to come and camp at the hot springs for days but nowadays, the place has been eaten up by papyrus swamps.

    The water is so dirty and full of algae which wasn’t the case back then.

    Due to blocked original exit, the water temperature has slowly reduced from around 98 degrees to at around 60 degrees due to interference of the nearby stream.

    And despite earning government millions of money in tourism, the government has openly neglected the most amazing natural wonders in the world.

    The two hot springs are now shadows of former self, it is so unfortunate to ignore such tourism potential.

    The Hot Springs’ exit was blocked by the nearby stream

    Despite tarmacing of the nearby Highway Kagamba-Ishaka Road nothing has increased on the springs side due to the poor state they are in.

    On top of that, there is poor signage indicating location of the hot springs and most people miss out on them and find themselves already past the place.

    When contacted, Ms Lilly Ajarova, Chief Executive Officer of the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) said developing Kitagata hot springs is still on the agenda pending government funding.

    Lilly Ajarova, Chief Executive Officer of the Uganda Tourism Board ( UTB) said developing Kitagata Hot Springs is still on the agenda pending funding

    Hon. Godfrey Kiwanda, the Minister of State for Tourism when contacted declined to comment on the matter.

    Background of Kitagata Hot Springs

    The springs were first discovered in 1904 by a hunter and they are formed due to water heating from the Earth’s bowels and emerging through the Earth’s crust. This can be termed as an active volcano.

    The hot springs are located on the Ishaka–Kagamba Road, in Sheema South County, in Sheema District, Western Uganda.

    This location is approximately 2 kilometres (1 mile) by road, southeast of the town of Kitagata, one of the urban centers in the district. This location lies approximately 62 kilometres (39 miles) by road, west of Mbarara, the largest city in the sub-region.

    The coordinates of Kitagata Hot Springs are 0°40’42.0″S, 30°09’38.0″E (Latitude:-0.678346; Longitude:30.160556).

    There are two hot springs adjacent to each other. According to the locals, one of the springs was used by the former Omugabe (King of Ankole) and is known as Ekyomugabe. The other spring is believed to have healing powers and is known as Mulago, after Uganda’s largest National Referral Hospital. The water is also used for drinking.

    On arrival to the site one will notice semi-nude men and women bathing in the warm waters of the springs, that possess healing powers.

    Many area residents bathe in the waters as well as thousands from across the country and as far as outside Uganda.

    In days like Saturday and Sunday, you can find as many as 500 people showering the miraculous water.

    The water in the springs used to warm up to above 80 °C (176 °F) but of recent it’s going down.

    The road to this place is still a marrum and before or after Ngaromwenda bridge depending on which direction you are coming from.

  • Nyege Nyege returns with a bang, 4 stages, 300 performers

    Nyege Nyege returns with a bang, 4 stages, 300 performers

    The biggest festival of the year is back and this time it is bigger and better. Being the 5th edition, it aims to bring forth the full force of the Ugandan and East African creative spirit.

    This year, Nyege Nyege returns with a massive lineup North, West, South and East African are all sending their underground music legends to come and represent the best of what contemporary African music has to offer.

    Some of the action at last year’s Nyege Nyege

    Performances, happenings, situations and art installations featuring dancers, acrobats, graffiti artists, fortune tellers, musicians, inventors and rainmakers all come together to create one grand adventure that lasts for four days, right at the source of the Nile.

    Some of the sponsors at the press conference last evening

    This year Nyege Nyege will also put renewed emphasis on the food experience, combining the best of East African cuisine with classic Ugandan street food and delicacies from all over the world, as well as a showcase of unique Boutique brands from the region. This year Nyege Nyege is endorsed by the Ministry of Tourism and the town of Njeru, making it a joint effort to showcase the beauty and hospitality of Uganda to all foreign visitors.

    This year the festival will feature five stages, as well as roving traditional bands and a few dancehall disco shacks outside the festival grounds where surprise acts from the official line up will perform. Music is once again the main topic on the Nyege Nyege program, with over 300 performers coming from over 30 countries, in essence a true celebration of music. This year Nyege Nyege will also explore the spectrum of alternative pop sounds from a new generation of African producers, including Ethiopian EDM sensation Rophnan and Ugandan dancehall Queen Sheeba.

    DJ Shyboi

    Headlining the festival will be Fulu Mziki the legendary eight piece band from Kinshasa will make their first appearance outside of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Dj Diaki, the Balani king of Bamako will bang out his showcase of Mali’s unique sound system culture, Mauritanian synth freak-out masters WZN will perform for the first time outside their country.