The king of Toro, Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukiidi IV, was full of admiration for the tourism potential that his kingdom holds during his 26th coronation anniversary at Karuzika royal palace in Fort Portal, recently.

Toro is a kingdom gifted by nature. It is blessed with abundant wildlife, rare birds, breath-taking landscapes, waterfalls and caves, snowcapped Rwenzori Mountains, scenic crater lakes, impenetrable forests, incredible weather, a unique culture and very hospitable people,” he said.

The king said tourism is a powerful vehicle for economic growth, job creation and improved livelihoods if its vast opportunities are well-tapped.

Tourism enthusiasts walk past one of the creator lakes during the independence day trek

 He said promoting tourism is important for the integration, empowerment and generating income for rural communities and people in the informal sector because it employs a high proportion of women and young people.

To strengthen the role of communities in tourism, the King emphasised the need to promote green and domestic tourism, develop cultural tourism products, develop the cottage industries, conserve the cultural and natural heritage, strength tourism business ecosystem and harness digital technologies to support the tourism ecosystem.

THE TOURISM CITY

Last year, the Fort Portal Tourism City became operational. Its creation, according to the tourism actors, also contributed towards the growth of the trade in the region.

Richard Toro, a tour operator, said the elevation of Fort Portal into a tourism city has created awareness about the potential of tourism. Gerald Nelon, a tourism actor, said people from different regions of the country are now visiting Fort Portal.

However, Aubrey Price, the director Ndali Tourist, said calling Fort Portal a tourism city has negatively affected them.“It actually puts off some tourists who would like to enjoy an exclusive place that no one knows about” Aubrey said.

DOMESTIC TOURISM ON THE RISE

Aubrey said although the tourism sector has in the past two years suffered the effects of COVID-19, domestic tourists have kept the sector going. He attributed the growth in domestic tourism to restrictions on international travel.

 “Ugandans who usually travel abroad have not been able to move due to COVID-19 restrictions, they instead travelled upcountry with families and friends,” he said. Chris Muhumuza a tour guide, at Mahoma Falls in Kasenda Town Council, said the increase in local tourism has created more opportunities for the tourism sector players.

 “New tour companies have been formed to cater for the increasing number of tourists in the area. Whereas the international tourists travel during winter, the local tourist are constant all year round,”Muhumuza said. Toro said honeymooners have also started flocking to the area.

TAKING THE BULL BY THE HORNS

A group of energetic from Fort Portal have taken it upon themselves to promote and create awareness about the tourism potential in Toro. They do community engagements about tourism in addition to physically visiting some of the major tourist attraction sites in Toro.

Bashir Mwanguhya, a tourism promoter in Fort Portal, said due to the effects of COVID-19

that saw a huge reduction in the number of international tourists, they came up ideas on how promote domestic tourism.

Mwanguhya said whereas the idea of trekking to tourism sites was initiated by only nine people, the number of participants has grown.

PROTECTING THE WILDLIFE

The Uganda Wildlife Authority has established a collaboration partnership with all law enforcement agencies and departments of Uganda in a move aimed at protecting the wildlife.

George Owoyesigire, the acting Commissioner for Wildlife Conservation at the tourism ministry said the collaboration partnership between the Uganda Peoples Defence Forces, Police, Uganda

Revenue Authority, Immigration department, Internal Security Organisation, External Security

Organisation, among others, will help to create a strong intelligence network that is aimed at curbing activities of poaching and illegal animal trafficking.

 Illegal wildlife trafficking involves the harvesting, accessing or trading in wildlife without a permit or licence. Owoyesigire said in the recent past, there has been increased incidents of poaching targeting large mammals and pangolins in Uganda. “Illegal wildlife trade has highly organised criminal groups that operate internationally. They deploy locals who destroy wildlife in order to deliver the products to them.

We must, therefore, unite, establish a very strong intelligence network inorder to curtail the illegal trade,” Owoyesigre said. Pontius Ezuma, the Chief Warden for Queen Elizabeth National Park, said illegal wildlife trafficking is one of the biggest challenges threatening the tourism sector. “Uganda is blessed to be home to many animal species, but they are becoming endangered.

TRAFFICKING

Owoyesigire said wildlife traffi ckers have in the past been using Uganda as a trafficking route. “Some people have been poaching in other areas and passing through Uganda, but because our laws are now strong, coupled with increased intelligence, wildlife traffickers have begun to run away” he said. UWA has, according to Owoyesigire, established a wildlife court to in addition to the strong penalties provided for in the law.

THE AMENDED LAW

Owoyesigire said the amended Wildlife act of 2019 allows for licensed wildlife trade.

“The legal animal trade is practised on selected species, especially those that are not

so endangered. Unfortunately, some still hunt without licences” he said. Other benefits or incentives for wildlife utilisation provided for in the amended wildlife act include hunting, farming and animal breeding, education, awareness and research, resource access, among others. “The new law allows individuals to rear wild animals as pets, as well as, breeding some of the selected animal species for trade and export. All these activities must, however, be regulated” Owoyesigire said.

CHANGE OF TACTICS

Moses Olinga, the programme manager, International Fund for Animal Welfare, said illegal wildlife traffickers have changed tactics.

Olinga stressed the need for continuous training of the law enforcement staff to keep them updated on what they do their work.“We identified a gap in enforcement always seen a gap, especially when law trained enforcers are transferred to other areas of operation,” he said.

CORRUPTION

Sarah Ayesiga, the Kabarole Resident District Commissioner, warned the trainees against corruption, challenging them to be fighting illegal cross boarder wildlife trade.

“It is so hurting when an animal that fetches a lot of revenue for the country is killed by a poacher and its products transported on a major highway that has several security checkpoints,but no one is arrested,” Ayesiga said. She called on the law enforcers to be more vigilant stressing that illegal trafficking of animal products negatively affects the country.

PROFILING TOURISM ROUTES, SITES

Tourism actors have embarked on mapping, profiling and documenting tourism trails, routes and sites in the area. So far, over 10 tourism trails and sites have been profiled. Mwanguhya said the trails that pass through the community range between 5km-30km.

He said mapping tourism trails will promote domestic tourism and also encourage local investment in the sector.

“Tourists will now be able to walk to their destinations other than using vehicles,” Mwanguhya, said. “The tourists who walk will interact with the community.

This can help them develop business ideas around the tourism business and conserve the environment,” he said. Tinka Tukahiirwa, a tourism promoter, said the trails lead to attractions such as creator lakes, hills, mountains, valleys, rivers, among other geographical features. Tinka said the mapped tourism trails and sites will be displayed in major hotels.

“Fort Portal is endowed with a lot of features that have over time not been visited by tourists because they have been using motorized transport. By walking to the destinations, the tourists will enjoy the cool breeze climate,” he said. Gloria Twebaze, another tourism player, said some of the already mapped tourism trails include the Fort Portal City trail, the Toro Tea trail, the Toro culture exploration trail, the Toro Kokasemera trail, among others.