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KAMPALA - Parliament’s committee on trade and tourism is to sermon officials from the Ministry of Tourism Wildlife and Antiquities, to further justify funding requests for some of their priority areas in the financial year 2024/24.

One of the requests from the tourism sector in this budget cycle is the upgrade of some tourism sites to further attract tourists.

This was revealed to New Vision by the chairperson of the committee Mwiine Mpaka in a telephone interview on Saturday, February 10, 2024.

Mpaka, who is leading committee members on a countrywide tour of tourism sites, said that they have so far visited Lake Mburo National Park, Uganda Wildlife Research Institute, Queen Elizabeth National Park, and Kitagata Hot Springs before proceeding to the Kasese area.

For Kitagata, the team demanded to know how the sh2.8 billion that was requested by the ministry is being utilised.

Mpaka, who is leading committee members on a countrywide tour of tourism sites, said that they have so far visited Lake Mburo National Park, Uganda Wildlife Research Institute, Queen Elizabeth National Park, and Kitagata Hot Springs before proceeding to the Kasese area. (New Vision/Files)

“Basically, we are visiting tourism sites across the country to understand the need for funding for the priorities that were presented. For the case of Kitagata Hot Springs upgrade, we shall meet officials from the Ministry to look at details considered in procurement of contractors, Bill of quantities among others,” said Mpaka.

Members of the committee for example demanded to know the progress made on the upgrade of Kitagata Hot Springs, which has already been allocated sh2.8b but to date, only 20% of the work has been done.

In response, commissioner for tourism Vivian Liaz told the team that part of the money has been used to secure the site, and construct the administration block, shops, and toilets. He added that the money at hand would not be enough to construct the other infrastructural needs of the site.

The team is accompanied by the Minister of State of Tourism Martin Mugarra Bahinduka.

Uganda surpassed the sh92.8bn tourism revenue projected for the 2022/2023 financial year.