In a bid to amplify tourism visits in the Elgon region and promote it as a top tourist destination, the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife, and Antiquities, with agencies Uganda Tourism Board, Uganda Wildlife Authority, UWEC, UHHTI, and UWRI, and private sector players, on Tuesday 20th December 2022, officially flagged off a team of more than 300 people to the Eastern Uganda route at the Uganda Museum in the domestic tourism promotional drive dubbed “Explore Elgon.” The official raising of the flag was done by the Hon. Martin B. Mugarra, the State Minister for Tourism, Wildlife, and Antiquities.
The team began the journey en route to Eastern Uganda with stops at Namawojolo, a popular spot for sampling sumptuous roasted chicken and gonja via Mabira Forest, and then stopped at the Jinja Nile bridge for scenic views of the mighty River Nile and picture moments, and then continued to Mbale, Eastern Uganda, where the convoy was welcomed with motorcyclists clad in the Explore Elgon green reflector jackets and a Kadodi treats as a signature welcome to the land of Imbalu at Mbale Courts View Hotel.
The team, led by Hon. Martin B. Mugarra, the State Minister for Tourism, Wildlife, and Antiquities, and celebrity influencers from the entertainment industry undertook a climbing expedition to the summit of Wanale Hill, where they also visited Kawuka Cave, the site of the beginning of the Bagisu tribe’s customary circumcision rituals.
Later in the evening, the Hon. State Minister officially opened Mbale Courts View hotel in the presence of Mbale Mayor Mr Cassim Namugali, area MPs including Hon. Karim Masaba MP for Mbale Industrial city division, Hon. Wambedde Seth MP for the northern division, LC-5 Chairman Mr Mafabi Muhammed, RDC Mr Asumin Nasike, and other city and government officials.
In his remarks, the Hon. State Minister commended the proprietors for such a brilliant idea as the hotel facility caters to a certain class of guests and is an addition to the hospitality sector, creating employment for the youth in the region.
He said, “We look forward to inviting more investors to come and invest in the hotel spectrum in the Eastern region, which is full of untapped tourism potential.” The tourism and hotel industries employ an estimated 90% of the youthful workforce in the country, and therefore, domestic tourism initiatives to promote tourism host destinations are part of the synergies the ministry and agencies like UTB are undertaking to ensure the sustainability of the sector even during challenging times such as the COVID-19 that almost brought the industry to its knees.
Mbale City Mayor Mr Cassim Namugali also praised the ministry of tourism, wildlife, and antiquities and its partners for the initiative, which is aimed not only at promoting tourism in the region but also at creating jobs for the majority of youth and increasing tourism revenues in the Elgon region, which will impact various livelihoods.
He said, ’’ The Explore Elgon initiative is here to showcase what Eastern Uganda, and in particular Elgon, has to offer the world in terms of tourism. The campaign also serves as an invitation to both local and international visitors to come to the land of Bamasaba and immerse themselves in amazing adventures ranging from Wanale hilltop climbing to visiting Mt. Elgon national park and enjoying a lump sum of thrilling tourist life adventures at Sipi, as the region is rich in a bouquet of captivating tourism activities to enjoy’’.
Mbale RDC Mr Asumin Nasike welcomed the initiative, citing it as a great opportunity to showcase to the world Eastern Uganda’s unique natural endowments, culture, circumcision rituals, culinary, beautiful landscapes, and natural sceneries, among others, with a 24-hour operating day and nightlife economy.
Later in the evening, guests among other revellers were taken on a night full of laughter with comedians Madrat and Chiko, Kickboxer Moses Golola, Mbale’s finest local music superstars, DJ Slick Stuart and Roger, plus an exhilarating performance from Queen Sheebah and female DJ Lynda Ddane.
The campaign seeks to tap into the domestic market and create awareness about the Elgon region as an attractive destination worthy to pay a visit by highlighting the beauty and hidden treasures of the country’s prized tourism sites and attractions strewn around the Eastern region, including Mt. Elgon National Park, Sipi Falls, and Wanale Hill as possible tourist destinations.
The Elgon region provides the best opportunities for travellers to see one of Uganda’s best altitudes in the world thanks to its abundance of breathtaking big caldera landscape, heart-pounding Sipi Falls, and breathtaking Wanale Hill.
In Mt. Elgon National Park, there are more than 300 different bird species, including the Tacazze sunbird, Black-collared Apalis, Kite, and Jackson’s Francolin among others. Rock and tree hyraxes, blue monkeys, defassa waterbuck, oribi, bushbuck, duiker, forest hogs, leopards, civets, serval cats, spotted hyenas, and other rodents are just a few of the animals that live in the area.
Mt. Elgon is home to two popular tribes in Eastern Uganda: the Bagisu and the Sabiny, who co-exist in the mists of Eastern Uganda.
Mt. Elgon measures an elevation of 4,321 m (14,177 ft.) and is ranked 17th on the African continent, with its highest peak known as Wagagai.
Prior to the pandemic, Uganda’s tourism industry was growing robustly, contributing 7.7% of GDP in FY2018–2019 and being the top foreign exchange earner for the previous five years. In addition to collectively protecting and conserving the country’s abundant natural resources, the sector employed over 677,000 young people.
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