Tourism
Tourism, technology and a little rain in Mbale
By 10:00 am, the sun was doing its own bit of tourism promotion, baking everybody beneath a hot Elgon sky.
The Imbalu dance is performed during Sunday's celebrations. (Credit: Titus Kakembo)
By: Titus Kakembo, Journalist @New Vision
MBALE - By 8:00 am, people were already queuing at Mbale Secondary School for the World Tourism Day celebrations.
Security was tight.
Like me, some men flinched as officers carried out the usual checks, particularly when their hands ventured towards sensitive areas.
By 10:00 am, the sun was doing its own bit of tourism promotion, baking everybody beneath a hot Elgon sky.
Even boda bodas had to surrender some of their freedom.
Photo moment of students with President Museveni. (All Photos by Titus Kakembo)
Those approaching from Pallisa Road were stopped before reaching the gate and directed to another entrance along the road leading to Kumi Highway.
The gathering brought together diplomats, ministers, politicians, private-sector players, cultural leaders, accredited journalists and schoolchildren.
There was another rule: no drinking water or soft drinks could be carried into the venue. Ushers later came to the rescue, serving bottled water to thirsty guests.
Once inside, however, the sweltering heat was soon forgotten.
The exhibition area had turned into a small museum of Uganda's technological past.
Police displays included telegraphs, old telephones with round metal bells and fax machines, equipment that once represented the height of modern communication but now looks almost archaeological in the age of WhatsApp.
Nearby were reminders of a less electronic Uganda: cultural baskets, mats, winnowing trays, mortars, hoes and grinding stones.
They looked simple, but each told a story about how communities worked, ate and lived before smartphones became extensions of human hands and minds.
Hotels were busy selling their own stories, displaying accommodation, cuisine and spa services.
Tour guides perhaps had the easiest sales pitch of the day.
They pointed visitors towards Sipi Falls and its spectacular views, scenery that cannot be copied, downloaded or manufactured.
Photographs of abseiling at the falls did the rest.
For adventure lovers, the message was clear: Sipi was waiting
Pian Upe also had its admirers.
A group of pretty young girls hopped into a van, apparently ready to trade the conference atmosphere for birding, wildlife and an encounter with the culture of the Karimojong.
On the stage, pupils competed with older women to tremble their shoulders or backsides and spin their pelvic girdles to the music. This is the season for the Imbalu slit.
Nearby were reminders of a less electronic Uganda: cultural baskets, mats, winnowing trays, mortars, hoes and grinding stones.
They looked simple, but each told a story about how communities worked, ate and lived before smartphones became extensions of human hands and minds.
Hotels were busy selling their own stories, displaying accommodation, cuisine and spa services.
Tour guides perhaps had the easiest sales pitch of the day.
They pointed visitors towards Sipi Falls and its spectacular views, scenery that cannot be copied, downloaded or manufactured.
Photographs of abseiling at the falls did the rest.
For adventure lovers, the message was clear: Sipi was waiting
Pian Upe also had its admirers.
A group of pretty young girls hopped into a van, apparently ready to trade the conference atmosphere for birding, wildlife and an encounter with the culture of the Karimojong.
On the stage, pupils competed with older women to tremble their shoulders or backsides and spin their pelvic girdles to the music. This is the season for the Imbalu slit.
Uganda Development Bank was meanwhile making its own pitch, reminding potential customers that its services extend across central, eastern and western Uganda.
Then came the formalities.
The city mayor and religious leaders blessed the occasion before tourism minister Tom Butime invited President Yoweri Museveni to the podium.
The President's tent was enclosed by glass security barriers, a sharp contrast to the open exhibition, where visitors wandered freely among baskets, old telephones, hotel brochures and tourism photographs.
Museveni delivered his speech.
Then he left.
And just as his motorcade disappeared, the heavens opened.
A heavy downpour swept across Mbale.
After spending the morning baking in the sun, the World Tourism Day crowd suddenly found itself searching for shelter.
Perhaps Mbale had saved one more attraction for last.
Rain.
No ticket required. No tour guide needed. And certainly no brochure could have prepared anyone for it.
Then came the formalities.
The city mayor and religious leaders blessed the occasion before tourism minister Tom Butime invited President Yoweri Museveni to the podium.
The President's tent was enclosed by glass security barriers, a sharp contrast to the open exhibition, where visitors wandered freely among baskets, old telephones, hotel brochures and tourism photographs.
Museveni delivered his speech.
Then he left.
And just as his motorcade disappeared, the heavens opened.
A heavy downpour swept across Mbale.
After spending the morning baking in the sun, the World Tourism Day crowd suddenly found itself searching for shelter.
Perhaps Mbale had saved one more attraction for last.
Rain.
No ticket required. No tour guide needed. And certainly no brochure could have prepared anyone for it.