Ondaba honours the silent heroes of She Cranes Team

By Solomon Oleny

Less than a fortnight back the national netball team, the She Cranes took the world by storm after emerging the eighth best team at the Netball World cup in Sydney in Australia.

In doing this, they drew the world’s attention to Uganda, and thus offering it a priceless opportunity for promoting herself as a top travel destination.

In honour of the silent heroes who facilitated the realization of this achievement, Ondaba an online pro-tourism movement today dedicated the month of September towards the celebration of Mathew Olimi and Joseph Nyanzi.

The two are some of the sports enthusiasts who rallied Ugandans from all over the world to cheer the national team as they defied all odds in the contest that was attended by over 20 countries.

According to Herbert Opio, one of the three-founders of the campaign, the two will be treated to an all-expense paid vacation in Murchison falls National Park's Budongo Eco lodge.  

Started six months with the intent of restoring Uganda's lost glory as a prime tourism destination, the campaign is a social media competition in which Ugandans share eye catching pictures of their fun moments or adventures on social media especially Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

It is open to all for participation.

“At the end of each month, the owners of 3 posts which register the highest numbers of likes walk away with rewards,” Says the 30 year old domestic tourism enthusiast

The crown winners receive a complimentary stay at any of the Lodges under management of Uganda lodges such as Simba Safari Camp in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Budongo Eco Lodge in Murchison falls National Park or Primate Lodge in Kibale forest National Park.

The 1st runners up gets a fully paid adventure experience of choice, as the 2nd runners up settles for a cash prize of sh100, 000.  

In this particular edition, Olimi and Nyanzi emerged as the crown winners not because they scooped the highest number of votes, but rather because of the unconditional support they gave to the team.

Amutuhaire Caroline, a senior administrator with Churchill safaris emerged as the first runners up after a picture of her live encounter with giraffes at Entebbe zoo went viral, garnering over 120 likes.

On the other hand, Ssebuuma Ivan, a nature photographer emerged as the 2nd runners up after pictures taken during his preceding road trip to Masindi garnered 91 likes.

According to Belinda Namutebi, a renowned online marketer, this particular edition of the campaign which has grown from a following of 1,000 to over 200,000-since start registered over 50,000 participants in total.

In his interview with the  New Vision, Amos Wekesa, Executive Director of Great Lakes Safaris, the primary sponsor of the movement confirmed that due to public demand, Ondaba is on the verge of evolving into an independent organization fully mandated to promote Uganda as a one Travel destination.

“That way, its tourism sector will not have to rely on foreign visitors alone for self-sustainability.”Wekesa echoes his optimism

Competition Tip

To stand higher chances of winning the next competition, hashtag the words #Ondaba and I am so Uganda.

That way, your posts garner maximum visibility and thus doubling your chances of scooping the highest number of votes.