Why Butime wants tourism body polls deferred
“The association is, therefore, advised to invoke the appropriate provisions of its Constitution and applicable law to provide for continuity of the existing leadership in a transitional/caretaker capacity, pending completion of the above processes and conduct of the subsequent elections,” Butime wrote.
Butime told Biriggwa that his ministry is mindful that deferment of the elections should not create a governance or leadership vacuum within UTA.
Tourism minister Tom Butime wants the forthcoming Uganda Tourism Association (UTA) governing council elections deferred over disputes.
In a letter to UTA president, Yewagnesh Biriggwa, Butime warned that the elections, which had been scheduled for last month, could negatively affect the sector if they were held without completing the necessary governance and institutional regularisation processes.
“UTA is accordingly requested to defer the forthcoming governing council elections and, within 30 days from the date of this communication, submit to the ministry a comprehensive governance and institutional regularisation roadmap, setting out the activities to be undertaken, responsible parties, timelines and milestones leading to the eventual conduct of elections,” reads the letter dated September 4, 2026.
Butime told Biriggwa that his ministry is mindful that deferment of the elections should not create a governance or leadership vacuum within UTA.
“The association is, therefore, advised to invoke the appropriate provisions of its Constitution and applicable law to provide for continuity of the existing leadership in a transitional/caretaker capacity, pending completion of the above processes and conduct of the subsequent elections,” he wrote.
UTA is the national umbrella organisation that brings together tour operators, accommodation facilities, travel agents, guides, and sector associations.
“The transitional leadership should remain accountable to the membership and should principally focus on maintaining institutional stability, implementing the strategic plan and ongoing programmes, completing the identified governance reforms, supporting governance regularisation within member associations and preparing UTA for credible elections.”
For avoidance of doubt, the minister emphasised that the deferment of the elections is not intended to indefinitely suspend the democratic processes of UTA or confer an indefinite mandate upon the current leadership.
“It is an exceptional transitional measure intended to address identified institutional and governance fundamentals and create conditions necessary for a lawful, credible, transparent and representative election.”
Issues raised
The correspondence followed representations from member associations concerning institutional stability, whether required Annual General Meetings (AGMs) and elections had taken place, and whether some officials still held valid mandates.
The wider issue, according to the minister, is that persistent uncertainty over the leadership of constituent bodies could compromise a fresh election at the national level.
“The legitimacy and representative character of UTA necessarily derives from the legitimacy and proper constitution of its constituent member associations,” he wrote.
UTA’s reach questioned
New Vision learnt yesterday that UTA contacted its member associations seeking governance information and supporting records relating to constitutions, AGMs, elections, leadership terms and representation.
The exercise was intended to identify any matters requiring correction before the deferred elections.
Two of the five UTA founding bodies objected. In letters dated September 22, 2026, seen by this publication, Uganda Hotel Owners Association (UHOA) and the Association of Uganda Tour Operators (AUTO) challenged the scope of the umbrella body’s request and stressed that they are separately constituted organisations with their own internal decision-making mechanisms.
UHOA, whose letter was signed by chairlady Susan Muhwezi, pointed to its board, general assembly and governing documents as the proper authorities over its affairs.
“UHOA’s membership of UTA does not confer the latter any governance oversight or regulatory powers over UHOA,” it wrote.