Kampala, (UG):- Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni has been recognized with the 2024 Lifetime Tourism Achiever Award for his role in promoting tourism in the East African community, and the continent at large.
The accolade, awarded to the President by Ekkula Pearl of Africa Tourism Awards was received on his behalf by Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa who presided over the awards gala on Friday, November 15, at Sheraton Kampala.
“This accolade recognizes President Museveni’s exceptional leadership in ushering in a new era of excellence, elevating Uganda into a premier tourist destination renowned for its current peace and stability,” Rt Hon Tayebwa said, as he received the President’s ward on the night.
In his speech as the Chief Guest, Tayebwa emphasized the government’s commitment to prioritizing the tourism sector, setting a revenue target of $50 billion by the year 2050, a projection from the previous fiscal year, in which the tourism industry generated $1.4 billion, even without substantial investments.
“For the current fiscal year, we have allocated Ugx 55 billion to our embassies for the promotion of Uganda internationally,” the Deputy Speaker noted.
“Moving forward, the government will focus on enhancing the marketing and branding of our nation, aiming to digitize the economy and achieve a GDP target of $500 billion by 2050, with tourism playing a pivotal role in this endeavour,” he added.
Tayebwa further highlighted key areas of investment, including marketing, branding, and infrastructure development and revealed that the government plans to establish more airports and aerodromes, including partnerships to build an airport in Kasese under a public-private partnership model.
Additionally, there will be a focus on digital infrastructure in national parks and other tourist attractions to enhance interconnectivity. “It is high time we came in. If we are to milk a cow, we must feed it. We cannot achieve much by merely giving speeches. We are now walking the talk,” he said authoritatively.
The Ekkula Sustainable Tourism Awards celebrated remarkable achievers, both individuals and firms, with Dr Sudhir’s Speke Resort Munyonyo named the Best Sustainable Hotel of the Year and Eliot Mugisha (Rambura Safaris) awarded the sustainable tourism youth championship of the year.
Other winners on the night included; Tourism Honorary Award 2024 to former Tourism Minister Hon Daudi Migereko, Agro-Tourism Eco Lodge of the Year – Emburara Farm Lodge, and Travel Journalist of 2024 won by Gugudde TV’s Kanyesige Edwin. Queen Vanitah won Tourism Ambassador of the YEAR, and Sheraton Kampala as the Most Supportive Hotel of the Year.
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