Mbale, Uganda: The Ministry of Tourism on Friday, April 25, 2025, concluded a two-day training program aimed at equipping hotel owners and tourism stakeholders in Eastern Uganda with better skills to boost the region’s tourism sector.
The workshop, held at Courts View Hotel in Mbale City, drew participants from the Bamasaaba cultural institution, tourism officials, local governments, and hoteliers from across Eastern Uganda.
Delivering the keynote address at the event, Mbale District Chief Administrative Officer Mr. Luke Lokood emphasized the critical role tourism plays in the economic development of any nation. “Tourism significantly contributes to the GDP of a country. Eastern Uganda has enormous potential, and it’s time we harness it fully,” he said.
Commissioner Atugonza from the Ministry of Tourism’s Counter-Terrorism Division underscored the need for stronger collaboration between the tourism sector and the Tourism Police to guarantee the safety of visitors and service providers.
“We encourage closer collaboration between the tourism sector and hotel community. Security is key in growing confidence among tourists, both local and international,” Commissioner Atugonza noted.
Speaking on behalf of hotel owners, Mr. David Okello Kiro, General Manager of Courts View Hotel, encouraged fellow hoteliers to take the training seriously and prepare their facilities to attract guests from across Uganda and beyond.
“We recently hosted kings from Nigeria and Ghana during the Imbalu circumcision ceremony. Our region is ripe for global attention, and as Courts View Hotel, we are proud to be a big brand here,” Kiro said.
Among the key participants at the workshop were Steven Masiga, spokesperson for the Bamasaaba Cultural Institution, Commissioner Atugonza from the Ministry of Tourism, Mbale City Tourism Officer Winnie Nambuya, and Deputy Mayor of Mbale City Hon. Kakai.
The Ministry hopes that strengthening the capacity of local hotels and improving collaboration on security will position Eastern Uganda as a prime tourism destination, leveraging its rich cultural heritage and growing infrastructure network.
If you would like your article/opinion to be published on Uganda’s most authoritative anews platform, send your submission on: [email protected]. You can also follow DailyExpress on WhatsApp for realtime updates.
