Uganda to roll out wildlife-tourism masterplan

By Gerald Tenywa

KAMPALA - Uganda’s wildlife and tourism sector is targeting to harness more attractions such as culture to expand the revenue stream for the communities and the country.  

This is contained in the tourism master plan (2014-2024) to be launched today (Thursday) at Hotel Africana, Kampala during the wildlife and tourism sector review meeting. The master plan was developed with the funding provided by UNDP with consultation from various tourism stakeholders. 

“The master plan emphasizes product development and domestic tourism,” states a statement from the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities. 

The tourism sector has been expanding and is one of the top revenue earners for the country. The development of culture tourism will diversify Uganda’s tourism products. Currently, Uganda relies on wildlife attractions particularly Mountain gorillas.                           

The master plan will also enhance communication in the tourism source markets as part of the strategy to increase visibility in order to attract more tourists to Uganda.  

At the meeting, challenges such as poaching, encroachment on protected areas will also be discussed. Oil and gas have also been discovered in the protected including Murchison Falls National Park pose threats as well as opportunities to the sector.