Tell people about Uganda's tourism - Religious leaders

Religious leaders have called for a mass sensitisation of Ugandans on the country's potential as a world class tourism destination.

 

The leaders who were being flagged off for an in country tourism visit, yesterday, said that most Ugandans live in the same areas where potential tourism sites are located but cannot see its relevancy until when they are educated on the importance of tourism.

 

"We need sensitisation for Ugandans to understand tourism. Majority of the people do not know these things," Joshua Were, the overseer of the national fellowship of born again churches said.

 

He told the Ministry of Tourism and antiquities and the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) that instead of talking in boardrooms, they need to move out and explain the benefits of preservation of tourist sites to the local communities.

 

"We are willing to market the country but we do not have the information. Religious leaders have large congregations if you give them this information, they will be able to convince them to participate in domestic tourism," he said.

 

Were, stated that there is need for information on tourism and tourism advertisements to be translated in the local languages for people who are interested in investing in the sector but are barred by language.

 

Bishop Herbert Buyondo, who stood in for Pastor Joseph Sserwadda, said that they do not know what to say or sell when it comes to tourism in the country due to lack of information on these sites.

 

Sheikh Muhammed Ali Waiswa, the deputy Mufti, noted that Ugandans too need to appreciate their country and fight to defend it at all costs.

 

"Despite the harsh environment in other countries, people there love their country. You cannot mess with their country or you will be deported immediately but Ugandans do not know their country," he said.

 

The religious leaders were today taken on a two day tour of some of the countries sites including sites in Busoga and Buganda region. They will visit the Murchison falls, go for a boat cruise and visit national parks.

 

They will be staying at Pakuba safari lodge in Pakwach district, will dine and Kabalega Diner along Gulu- Kampala, Highway and will depart for Kampala on May 25, 2018.

 

Ephraim Kamuntu, the tourism minister, said that the tour is to bring the different faiths on board in the marketing of the country's tourism potential.

 

He noted that by visiting the sites and knowing the country's tourism sites, the religious leaders will be in position to domestically and internationally market the country.

 

"We believe that before you tell the world about your country, you should know it. It is good to know how the country is gifted," he said.

 

He told the religious leaders that after the visit, they should incorporate what they have seen in their sermons and also when they travel out of the country.

 

Kamuntu said that the religious sects should invest in religious tourism and be able to earn from it.

 

"Tourism is the fastest growing sector in not only the world but Uganda. If you can invest in it then you can turn around your institutions," he said.

 

John Ssempebwa, the deputy chief Executive Officer UTB, said that they need to partner with these religious leaders to promote domestic tourism in the country.

 

He said this can be done through having their religious meetings at the different sites and marketing the country to foreigners who visit the churches.

 

Micheal Mukhwana, the Provost of All Saints Cathedral, Nakasero, promised  that they will be good tourism ambassadors for the country.