Zari falls for western jazz

TOURISM PEARL OF AFRICA WESTERN UGANDA

During the launch of Zari, last week, as the ambassador of tourism, eyebrows remain raised in equal volumes of praise and criticism.

Boasting a following of more than 4.5million fans on social media, minister of state for tourism Geoffrey Kiwanda says Zari is one of the people promoting tourism in Uganda.

"I have trotted the globe far and wide, but it is amazing the wealth of beauty I left behind, surpasses what I find out there," confided Zari. "There is the cultural music, dances, dress code, scenery and organic food."

 
Adding that, everything is mind blowing right from the roadside market in Lukaya's nyama choma (roasted beef) dealers, the mountainous scenery and the hospitality out there.

"My challenge is to encourage my followers, on social media, across the world to get on their heels - Uganda is waiting," stressed Zari. "The menu has reptiles, mammals, birds and the people."

Asked why pick on Zari as an ambassador Kiwanda beamed with smiles of satisfaction.

"We have gone digital in marketing destination Uganda," reveals Kiwanda. "Already we are harvesting the fruits as responses on social media are shooting higher from different corners of the world."

Kiwanda recalls how he triggered similar sentiments when he popularized the Rolex mixed grill. It reportedly drew negative and positive responses, but Uganda as a destination gained.

Critics have not spared the ministry the barbs, saying while Kenya is launching KQ Airlines flights to sources of tourists like New York, all Uganda is doing is plough resources in celebrity Kanye West, Kardashian, Zari and Irene Mubiru.

However, the ministry is optimistic that their startegy will yield results and prove critics wrong.