Kasese residents urged to enrol for tourism

Residents of Kasese have been asked to embrace the free tourism courses funded by the Government to boost the tourism industry as well as earn a living. 

The call was made on December 15, 2023, by the staff and management of the Uganda Wildlife Research and Training Institute (UWRTI) in Katwe Kabatooro town council Kasese district. The call follows the low enrolment numbers of trainees from Kasese district at the institute.

UWRTI director Robert Baluku revealed that out of 600 trainees currently at the institute, Kasese has only 20.

Trainees of Uganda Wildlife Research and Training institute exhibiting their research skills at Rwenzori square in Kasese Municipality as residents looks on.

Robert added that the Government has injected a lot of money into the institute and increased its staff to ably equip trainees with courses such as diploma in wildlife and natural resource management, a diploma in tourism management and certificates in the respective programmes but the juicy opportunities are enjoyed by foreigners.

As part of the awareness programmes, the trainees and management of the institute have embarked on matching in the busy towns of the district.

Benard Tumusiime, the registrar of the UWRTI, Katwe said although they train the learners' potential tourism skills such as the behaviour of all wild animals, hospitality, research and many others given the strategic location of the institution inside the Queen Elizabeth National Park. It is from here that the trainees can easily have access to all the animals for practical studies.

Parents speak out

Todozio Kabugho, a parent, said they were unaware of the whereabouts of the institution, the mode of operation and the requirements for one to join the institute.

Lukas Bwambale Buhaka, another parent, attributed the low enrollment of trainees from Kasese to poor performance in science subjects, which is a key requirement to join the institute. 

 LC3 chairperson 

Kasese Central division LC3 chairperson Safari Martin urged the Kasese residents to consider skills training institutions because they provide long-lasting opportunities.