Ekkula Pearl Of Africa Awards 2018 committee released the nominees list this morning at the Uganda Media Centre. Honourable Kiwanda Godfrey Suubi, State Minister for Tourism Wildlife and Antiquities announced this while officiating the Awards Ceremony that will take place on 29th March 2018, Pearl Of Africa Hotel in Nakasero where stakeholders in the Tourism fraternity will be awarded for their efforts rendered towards the Industry.
Ekkula is a Luganda word that translates ‘’Beauty of our Country’’ hence the natural beautiful sceneries gifted to us by God.
Uganda’s tourism sector is experiencing steady growth in terms of the number of employment as well as contribution to GDP. Tourism has without doubt become everybody’s Business as many Individuals, Companies and Associations are increasingly playing key roles to boost the sector.
While regional clusters playing different roles are getting more involved in tourism initiatives like, Boda Boda Tours, Tulambule Weekend Escape ,Sports Tourism, Food Festivals like Rolex festival, City Festivals like Kampala City Festival, Mbarara and Jinja Festival, Cultural festivals like Bayimba, Nyege nyege Cultural Festivals among others have and still increase on the numbers of tourism participation than ever before.
Performing Artistes have also contributed a tremendous role in lifting the Ugandan flag high and these include; the music artists using music as a medium of tourism promotion, Writers, Photographers, poets, Comedians to mention but a few.
This year’s Award ceremony theme ‘CELEBRATING TOURISM IN CULTURAL DIVERSITY’ is aimed at seeing the different cultures offer the best traditions interms of food, entertainment, traits, norms that seem so interesting contemplating tourists.
Having gone through a nomination process for this year’s 26 categories, below are the different categories.
BEST CUISINE RESTAURANT.
2k Restaurant
Haji and Haji
Baguma restaurant
Victoria cafe’
BEST PRIVATE CULTURAL CENTER.
Nshenyi cultural village
Igongo cultural center
Koi Koi cultural centre.
Ndere cultural centre
BEST TRAVEL MAGAZINE.
Pearl Guide
The eye magazine
View uganda
African secrets
BEST WILDLIFE CONSERVATION CENTER- (PRIVATE)
Kavumba Wildlife education & research education
Ziwa rhino sanctuary
Ngamba chimpanzee sanctuary.
Camps crocs
BEST TOURISM BLOGGER/BLOG.
Sarah Kagingo/Soft power
Charlotte Nagawa-diary of a muzungu.
Joy Lydia Apolot-tour East Africa
Ryan Nathan Atiluk X-rated
Exceptional tourism photographer
L-Joe experience
Ivan Sebuma
Herbert Byaruhanga
Edward Echwalu
FINEST TRADITIONAL DANCE TROUPE
Rockies Troupe
The Planets
Kika troupe
Crane performers
BEST TOURISM PROMOTIONAL/CULTURAL FUSION SONG
Nzira Nago by Maro
Tumunonye-Navio
Home to Africa- Good Lyfe and PJ powers
Nsambila Nyuma Nga Janzi by Irene Namatovu
TOURISM DESTINATION OF THE YEAR
The Ssese Islands (kalangala)
White Nile Rafting (Jinja adventure city)
Murchison falls/ Budongo forest
Bwindi Impenetrable-Western Uganda
BEST ECO/COMMUNITY FRIENDLY SAFARI LODGE
Rain Forest Lodge
Park View Safari Lodge (Queen Elizabeth)
Pakuba Safari Lodge (Murchison falls)
Serenada Eco Lodge
MOST ACTIVE TOURISM CLUSTER.
Busoga Tourism Initiative
Kigezi Tourism cluster
Karamoja Tourism cluster
West Nile Tourism cluster
Outstanding Museum.
Igongo Museum
Kikonyongo Money museum
Bishop Nkoyo museum
great lakes museum
EXCEPTIONAL TOURISM JOURNALIST
Denis Segoa
Pamela Amia
Edgar Batte
Herman Kalanzi
BEST SUPPORTING CORPORATE COMPANY
Marasa Africa/Madhvani
MOVIT PRODUCTS
Aerolink
Vision Group
MOST USER FRIENDLY TOURISM ASSOCIATION
U.H.O.A
TUGATA
A.U.T.O
USAGA
MOST ADVENTUROUS RECREATIONAL CENTER
Extreme Adventure Park- (BUSIKA)
Mabira Forest Zip-line (JINJA)
Kavumba Wildlife Recreation Center – (WAKISO)
Supreme Adventure Park- (KABALE)
BEST SUPPORTING AIRLINES (ECONOMY CLASS)
RwandAir
Ethiopian airways
Egypt air
Qatar airways
BEST SUPPORTING AIRLINES (BUSINESS CLASS)
Brussels Airlines
Fly Emirates
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
South African Airlines
OUTSTANDING TOURISM PERSONALITY
Maria Balyomujura
Barbrah Adoso
Naminya Saleh
Ivan Batuma
TOURISM EVENT OF THE YEAR
Nyege Nyege
Rolex Festival
Kampala City Festival
Uganda International Cultural Fair
BEST TOURISM AMBASSORDOR
Anne Kansime-(Comedian)
The Ghettho Kids-(Dancers)
Alex Masiko (Kick Boxer)
Jacob Kiplimo (Athlete)
BEST SUPPORTING HOTEL
Pearl of Africa Hotel
Hotel Africana
Imperial Royale
Serena Hotel Kampala
BEST SERVICE/LUXURY STANDARD HOTEL
Pearl of Africa Hotel
Serena Hotel Kampala
Speke Resort Hotel Munyonyo
Kampala Sheraton Hotel
YOUNG TOURISM ACHIEVER’S AWARD
Naminya Saleh (Casa lodges)
Nakitende Irene (African secrets)
Carol Amutuhaire (Gorilla link tours)
Donald Champion (The African encounters)
TOP TOURISM INVESTOR
Wild Places Africa
Ruparelia Group
Marasa Africa Lodges
Uganda lodges
To Vote visit www.brandambassadors256/ekkula
