'Promote indigenous foods to boost tourism''

By Prossy Nandudu

Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) has been asked to promote indigenous food to boost tourism as well as financing communities leaving around tourism sites.

Most indigenous foods are attached to tribes that conserve them, according to Fredrick Kabuye of Buganda Cultural Development Foundation (BUCADEF).

“When tourists visit Uganda, they should be exposed to almost all the cultures and traditions including their foods in one package,” said Kabuye.

He said that different communities have different attachments to food and vegetables which provide an opportunity for them to sell and earn a living.

“We should note that the value of indigenous foods is a sure way of wealth creation and this is an areas that can promote the sector,” said Kabuye

He was presenting a paper titled ‘The Role of culture in conservation and promotion of indigenous foods’ at UMA show grounds on Friday; during the 5th annual food fair.

The fair was running under the theme “Healthy soils and Indigenous food systems for sustainable livelihood”

The fair was organized by the Participatory Ecological Land Use Management (PELUM), a regional network of civil society organizations promoting the sustainable use of natural resources for improved livelihoods.

He said that the issue of protecting indigenous food is serious because most of the indigenous food define one’s identity and are served on many occasions during certain rituals.

“Such information will be good news to those visiting our country and they will be willing to pay an extra fee to enjoy the foods served in different restaurants and hotels surrounding tourism sites which is an added income to the locals,” said Kabuye.

He however noted that indigenous food are faced with a challenge of westernization which portrays them as backward especially among the young people.