Uganda is slated to host the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Committee conference in July 2020.
This was revealed by Ofwono Opondo, the executive director, Uganda Media Centre, on Tuesday, at a media briefing on cabinet resolutions taken on Monday.
The conference will provide an opportunity for Uganda’s conservators and heritage practitioners , policy makers and researchers to foster a free exchange of ideas and provide an appropriate platform to discuss and disseminate new concepts and advance the preservation and promotion of heritage in Uganda”, he said.
He added that the conference will provide an important platform for policy dialogue and advocacy on heritage preservation at a global and national level.
Ofwono said: “The conference will increase foreign exchange earnings, since over 2,500 guests are likely to arrive in the country and each is likely to spend over US$ 900, hence generating an estimated $ 2.3 million for the country’s economy. The conference will also boost Uganda’s efforts in marketing the country as a Meeting, Incentive, Convention and Exhibitions (MICE) tourism destination in Africa”
Meanwhile, Ofwono revealed that cabinet had approved the proposal to borrow up to $456.37 million from China Export and Import Bank to finance the Upgrade and construction of the National Oil Roads.
They include: Masindi –Park junction and Tangi junction Paraa Buliisa road; Hoima –Butiaba-Wanseko Road (111 kms) and Buhimba –Bulamagi and Bulamagi-Igayaza-Kakumiro roads.
“The objectives of the project are; to facilitate the efficient development and production of the strategic national oil resources, add to the network of the road infrastructure required for importation of plant and equipment for production from the seaports and movement of construction materials, workers and consumables from other parts of the country and region among others”, he said.
