Tourism ministry launches Tulambule drive in Mbarara

The ministry of tourism has launched a weekend escape program code-named ‘Tulambule' to promote tourism.

The drive was officially launched by the state minister for tourism Godfrey Kiwanda at Igongo Cultural Centre.

Kiwanda explained that the weekend escape is a program in the ministry of tourism, wildlife and antiquities, aimed at unlocking tourism potentials and to get Ugandans to like and tour their own country.

He said the program will cover the whole country in ten tourism clusters in the next ten months.

Next month he said it will be launched in Busoga region while West Nile, Lango and Acholi regions will follow later.

During the Mbarara launch Kiwanda recruited Members of Parliament in the area and some from other constituencies, local government officials, golfers and corporate to take up the campaign of unlocking the brains of Ugandans to support tourism.

"The best person to tell the story of Ugandan is us Ugandans. We have launched this program basically to unlock the tourism potential of our country. Many operators like Uganda Tourism Board are doing great work but they cannot do it alone that's why we are recruiting other Ugandans," Kiwanda said.

He said their target is to recruit as many marketers on board. He was grateful that many people in Mbarara received and supported the drive.

He said they would use the campaign to let people know that tourism is not only about animals.

The team toured the 1520 AD Eclipse Hill of Igongo Cultural Centre in Biharwe Mbarara district. The 1520 AD eclipse of Biharwe is a monument commemoration of the ‘Biharwe eclipse' which was dated by astronomers and historians to have taken place on April 17th 1520 AD.

Minister Kiwanda and his team also visited Kitagata Hot Springs, Lake Mburo National Park, schools and other places in the region.

On the same day, officials from Uganda Tourism Board, religious leaders in Mbarara and the leadership of Mbarara district including members of parliament from different constituencies held prayers along Mbarara-Kampala Highway.

The prayer which was held in the middle of the road on the side of Igongo Cultural Centre in Mbarara district was led by Rev. Newton Baryaija, the mission coordinator of Ankole Diocese.

"We are saying Lord forgive us, we are standing in the gap asking you on behalf of people driving carelessly, driving under the influence of alcohol, forgive us of our past mistakes so that we can now have our roads safe," Baryaija said in a prayer.

Baryaija was concerned that the accidents were affecting the community and the economy since people especially tourists had begun to fear using Kampala-Mbarara Road thinking maybe there was something wrong on the road.