POATE: hosted buyers explore Uganda's tourism gems

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A team of 70 hosted buyers from different countries (source markets) across the world, began their five-day tour to different parts of Uganda, visiting various tourist attractions.

A team that arrived in the country on May 17, 2024, was welcomed by Lilly Ajarova, the chief executive officer for Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) at Speke Resort Munyonyo in Kampala before setting off on Saturday.

Lilly Ajarova, the Chief Executive Officer for Uganda Tourism Board welcoming a group of over 70 hosted buyers upon their arrival at Speke Resort Munyonyo on Friday. (Photo by Julius Luwemba)

The trip is part of the arrangements for Uganda's signature tourism event dubbed Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo (POATE) which will take place at the Speke Resort Convention Centre at Munyonyo from May 23-25 this year.

Organised by UTB, the eighth edition of POATE has been organised under the theme “Sustainable Tourism”. It serves as a nexus for fostering collaboration among local and international stakeholders in the tourism sector.

The hosted buyers came from countries such as Turkey, South Africa, India, Poland, Mexico, Netherlands, Kenya, USA, Japan, and the UK among others. One of the groups was taken through Lake Mburo National Park to Queen Elizabeth National Park and will conclude with an expedition of trekking for mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Another group was taken for Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale National Park from where it will head for a safari trip to Queen Elizabeth National Park, visit Igongo museum and return to Kampala.

A third group left for Jinja where members will participate in several adventure activities including white water rafting, tubing, bungee jumping, zip-lining in the Mabira forest, Quad biking and conclude with a trip to Namugongo Martyrs' Shrine and the Uganda Museum. The fourth team also visited Queen Elizabeth National Park through Mubende and Kasese and was later scheduled to head out to the Buhoma sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for gorilla trekking.

Priority for the fifth group was given to a tour of Kampala where members were taken for a tour of the Uganda Museum on Saturday morning, Gaddafi National Mosque, Rubaga and Namirembe cathedrals, before they visited Kasubi Tombs and Nakasero Market.

They were to proceed to the Kampala golf course and Namugongo Martyrs' Shrine on Sunday. After another night in Kampala, the group will head out to the Uganda Conservation Education Centre (UWEC) for a behind-the-scenes experience before sailing to Ssese islands (Kalangala district). From Ssese, the hosted buyers will visit Ngamba Chimpanzee Island before returning to Kampala.

The sixth group comprises hosted buyers who are interested in the meetings, incentives, conferences, exhibitions and events (MICE). It headed out to the Murchison Falls National Park, settling at Sambiya lodge before embarking on a game drive on Sunday morning. En route to their journey to Murchison, the buyers visited Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary in Nakasongola district where they had a close-up moment with the 41 large mammals at the 71 square kilometre ranch.

One of the hosted buyers trying to capture a close up with the rhino at Ziwa sanctuary. (Photo by Julius Luwemba)

After the Sunday morning game drive to catch a glimpse of the wild residents of Uganda's biggest national park, the group was scheduled to check out Pakuba and Paraa lodges before embarking on an afternoon boat cruise to the top of Murchison Falls. During their stay in this part of the country, the MICE-hosted buyers will also participate in chimpanzee tracking in Budongo forest, community and cultural experiences among other activities. 

Each of the groups will spend five days combing the destined areas before returning to Kampala on the eve of POATE.

The hosted tour operators who run big companies and the international media persons are expected to sell Uganda's tourism products to the rest of the world as well as create itineraries and bring in a number of tourists after POATE.