Kigezi guides get tips on cultural tourism

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Tour guides in the Kigezi sub-region have been urged to embrace cultural literacy as a powerful tool to enhance visitor experiences and promote the region’s rich heritage.

The appeal came during a cultural guiding training workshop held at Kirigime Guest House in Kabale ahead of Uganda’s national celebrations for International Museum Day (IMD), set for May 18, 2025.

The training, organised by the Uganda Safari Guides Association (USAGA) and the Africa Institute of Tourism and Field Guiding, aims at equipping guides with practical knowledge to interpret and present local culture with authenticity.

This year’s IMD will be hosted in Kabale District under the global theme, "The Future of Museums in Rapidly Changing Communities." The event will explore how museums and cultural custodians can adapt to shifting social, technological, and environmental landscapes.

Culture beyond sightseeing

Herbert Byaruhanga, Director of the Africa Institute of Tourism and Field Guiding, and lead facilitator at the workshop, called on guides to go beyond traditional tour scripts and focus on cultural narratives.

“We are here to help our guides appreciate that tourism is more than wildlife and landscapes. Culture tells the story of who we are. If we ignore it, we lose a key part of our identity,” he said.

Herbert Byaruhanga, the Director of the Africa Institute of Tourism and Field Guiding, addressing participants in a cultural tourism guiding training in Kabale. (Photo by Job Namanya)

Byaruhanga emphasised that the Kigezi sub-region is home to numerous untapped cultural tourism products, from traditional dances and cuisine to crafts and folklore.

“Many tourists today are not just looking to see—they want to feel and engage. They want to learn how millet is pounded, how the “ekizino” dance energises communities, or how the Bakiga brew “omuramba” from sorghum,” he added.

Showcasing Kigezi’s intangible heritage

The workshop included sessions on responsible tourism, community engagement, and the protection of intangible cultural heritage.

Guides were taught about cultural ethics, including respectful conduct at sacred sites, involving elders in guiding, and understanding gender roles in traditional settings.

One example highlighted was “ekitome”—a communal storytelling tradition around the fireplace, once a staple of Bakiga homes.

“These stories hold wisdom, humour, and identity. If guides learn how to retell them properly, they create powerful experiences for visitors,” said Byaruhanga.

Participants attending a cultural tourism training in Kabale. (Photo by Job Namanya)

Call for professionalism

Garassiano Katto, a senior official from USAGA, underscored the need for professionalism and continuous learning in the tourism industry.

“Culture is a critical part of our national identity and a strong tool for destination branding. Tour guides are often the first point of contact for tourists. What you say and how you present your community matters—it shapes the image visitors take home,” Katto said.

Katto noted that guides have a responsibility to preserve and present cultural information truthfully and respectfully.

Participants reflect on new insights

Participants lauded the training as timely, especially as the tourism sector rebounds from the effects of COVID-19.

Freeman Ahwera, a guide and reigning Mr Tourism Kigezi, described the workshop as a “revelation.”

“I have realised that culture is not just an add-on—it is central to the tourism experience. With this training, I now feel more confident guiding tourists through our traditions, folklore, and way of life,” he said.

Mary Abigail Kyirahabwe, a student at Kabale University, said the training helped her discover new ways to present cultural content.

“This workshop has been eye-opening. I used to know things like “obusheera” (traditional porridge) and “enturire” (porridge fermented with honey), but I never imagined how I could turn that into a structured experience for tourists,” she said.

Robert Tumwesigye, a Kabale-based guide with five years’ experience, said the training reignited his interest in the oral traditions and history of the Bakiga people.

“We often focus on mountains and lakes, but there is a treasure trove in our language, music, and oral literature. This training has challenged me to start documenting folk songs, riddles, and indigenous knowledge systems,” he said.

Kabale ready for IMD celebrations

With Kabale selected to host this year’s IMD, organisers believe the region is well-placed to demonstrate how local communities can lead in cultural preservation.

Kabale is known for its scenic landscapes, such as the terraced hills of Kyanamira and the tranquil waters of Lake Bunyonyi, as well as its vibrant traditions, from “ekizino” dance performances to ancestral clan practices.

According to Katto, trained guides will be at the frontline of activities during IMD 2025, which will include heritage walks, panel discussions, exhibitions, and storytelling events.

“This is not just a one-off event. We are building a movement that empowers local people to take charge of their narrative and benefit economically from their cultural wealth,” he said.