Commonwealth meet to sell Kampala

64TH COMMONWEALTH PARLIAMENTARY CONFERENCE 2019

With all eyes on Uganda, every international meeting provides great opportunities to the host nations in terms of infrastructure, political, economic and social development.

According to the Uganda Branch Representative for Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Africa Region Hon. Jalia Bintu, hosting conferences of this magnitude has both tangible and intangible gains for the host country and its people.

"Broadly, the return on investment is evident in terms of democratic governance; physical infrastructure; improved capacity to host major events, boost to the economy (tourism and hospitality; foreign exchange, investment, among others), and the local population," she says.

"Hosting CPC will put Uganda on the radar of over 53 countries that belong to the Commonwealth. This will open up opportunities for investment, tourism, education and other benefits. Uganda will also position herself as a competent host for similar or even bigger international conventions, thus securing future returns on the investment when entrusted to host other major events," Bintu adds.

In terms of democratic governance and parliamentary excellence, Bintu the vice-chairperson of the organising committee, says the value returns may not be immediately tangible, but they cannot be denied.

"The peer-to-peer nature of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association forms an accountability network for legislators in the member states. They hold each other to the basic principles of democracy, human rights, rule of law and transparency through topics chosen for discussion," she says.

MPs say the infrastructure invested in when tasked with hosting a major conference goes on to serve through the decades. Infrastructural gains manifest in the transport sector, construction of hotels and many others.

Stop over at ##Musandamo village, #Ntoroko District, along #Bundibugyo- #FortPortal road.#VisitUganda pic.twitter.com/NbR4xvvuig

— Yoweri K Museveni (@KagutaMuseveni) August 3, 2019

Hotels

Records indicate that Apolo Hotel now the Sheraton Hotel was built to host the 13th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference (CPC). For this Conference, Hon. Paul Amoru, the Chairperson of the Media and Publicity Sub-Committee, says Parliament has selected and accredited 20 hotels to provide accommodation for participants.

"The Government has already invested a lot in the infrastructure. Roads have been upgraded to ease movement of the delegates. The Government has already invested sh3.7b in the health sector, including buying ambulances and renovating major hospitals such as Mulago Hospital," he says.

Amoru says with the CPC on the horizon, the Government gets to check on these previous investments, ensuring that they still meet the standards for international delegates.

In terms of tourism, the organisers and the state minister tourism Hon. Godfrey Kiwanda, believes that the conference is bound to sell Uganda's image abroad as the best tourism destination. Uganda's unique tourism sites and attributes have been praised by international media and industry gurus.

"Visiting Uganda presents the perfect opportunity to explore what the country has to offer in terms of wildlife safaris, adventure, sport, food, culture and entertainment. We are going to use the conference to showcase the country's unique tourism attributes such as good weather, mountain gorillas, and friendly people, among others," Kiwanda argues.

After the tours, Kiwanda says the delegates will become Uganda's ambassadors to the world, to change the negative image created by the past dictatorial leaders.
"The biggest challenge is that little is known about this beautiful country. These people have followers on their social media sites and we believe that during their tours, they will be posting these positive images," Kiwanda says.

🇺🇬 Gender and Labour Minister Hon.Janat Mukwaya with guests from UAE visited @UWEC_EntebbeZoo yesterday and appreciated the efforts #UWEC puts in Wildlife Conservation Education.

You to can support conservation education programs as well as support animal welfare#GetInvolved pic.twitter.com/rY9n34LJUe

— Tourism Uganda (@Tourismuganda) July 2, 2019

Tourism sites

According the CPA programme, the guests will tour selected sites around Kampala City; the Source of the Nile, Kagulu Hill and the Equator. The organisers have, however, asked the delegates to add extra days to their itinerary for such purposes.

Amoru said the adventurous ones might go out to explore on their own, but that the conference programme also includes excursions to selected sites.
"It is hoped that visitors will spread positive messages about Uganda to the world and even be motivated to make return leisure trips," he said.

Amoru said Ugandans also stand to benefit since the conference will among others discuss issues of gender and equity especially for the women, youth and marginalised.

"The gender and equity message will be about inclusion of all marginalised persons, including persons with disabilities in social economic and cultural spheres and not least their own governance. Similarly the youth round-table will open doors for young people mostly Ugandans, to raise their concerns for consideration by the larger CPA," Amoru says.

Kampala state minister Benny Namugwanya says the conference will market Kampala not only as a city, but as a destination for international conferences.
"For a city like Kampala to host an international conference, will go a long way in raising Kampala's international standing, again greater international acceptance and change perception," she says.

Namugwanya said the profile will be important for obtaining economic benefits, such as attracting tourists to major tourism sites, for example, Lake Victoria, Kabaka's Lake, the man-made lake and the Kasubi Tombs.


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