Tourism students urged on anti-terrorism role

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JINJA - Students pursuing courses in tourism and hospitality have been asked to always remain conscious and guard against acts of terrorism, which is a major threat to the industry and Uganda's economy at large.

Tourism minister Tom Butime warned that attacks on the sector targeting workers and tourists have devastating effects on the sector.

He said that as a result of conflicts and turbulent regimes, Uganda’s tourism sector had almost collapsed until the National Resistance Movement (NRM) government came to power in 1986 and started efforts to revive it.

Butime said the government attaches great importance to tourism due to its immense contribution to the economy.

The training of intake 13 involved 53 students of the Uganda Hotel and Tourism Training Institute (UHTTI) in Jinja city. (Photo by Charles Kakamwa)

His remarks were in his speech read by the director of tourism at the ministry, Basil Ajer, during the pass out of students upon completion of paramilitary training at Gadaffi Barracks in Jinja on Friday (August 15).

The training of intake 13 involved 53 students (22 females and 31 males) of the Uganda Hotel and Tourism Training Institute (UHTTI) in Jinja city.

According to Amos Akankwasa, the chief instructor at the Non-Commissioned Officers Academy (NCOA) at Gadaffi Barracks, the three-week exercise involved taking students through intensive drills, martial arts, firearm handling as well as political education.

“The course not only instills discipline and military skills, but also leadership and survival skills,” he said while urging the students to always remain focused. He added that success is built through discipline, hard work, sacrifice and positive attitude.

Moses Kanene, the deputy principal of UHTTI, said paramilitary training was included in the curriculum of tourism students purposely to reduce their vulnerability to attackers while in the line of duty.

“We realized that these people require skills to defend themselves and protect visitors of the country,” he said.

Peter Jordan Mugema, one of the trainees, said the course was worth taking. Apart from physical fitness, he said he learnt skills for self defense and protection of the vulnerable.