Govt taps into Amin's history to boost tourism

Government has started identifying sites that relate to former President, Idi Amin Dada, to turn them into tourist attractions for the country.

Stephen Asiimwe, the Uganda Tourism Board executive director, said they are looking at the schools he attended, his former residences and other such places because ever since they elevated the scene of the Entebbe Raid, which happened 40 years ago into a tourist site, more tourists are visiting the country.

Idi Amin Dada was the third president of Uganda, ruling from 1971 to 1979.

"We decided to identify certain products we can sell, and we decided to start developing particular products under Idi Amin but we are still in the product development stage" Asiimwe said.

"Where was he born? Where did he go to school in Bombo? And the different things he did. The tour operators especially tour guides have been trained in that area" he added.

Asiimwe made the remarks while announcing the Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo which will take place between 17-19 February at Sheraton Hotel under the theme "Tourism is for Everybody's Business".

He added that during the Expo the East African tourism portal which will market the tourism destinations of Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda, will be launched.