Museveni calls for peace to boost tourism
On Friday, Uganda joined the rest of the world to celebrate the World Tourism Day 2024 in Kasese District.
President Yoweri Museveni, represented by the Minister for Tourism, Wildlife, and Antiquities, Tom Butime, emphasized the critical role of peace in boosting sustainable tourism, urging the private sector to foster harmonious living, particularly in regions affected by conflict.
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He highlighted the importance of collective responsibility in ensuring peace for inclusive economic growth.
Museveni called on the public and private sector to actively contribute to maintaining stability, which is essential for the growth of tourism.
"The private sector must play its part in fostering peace and harmonious living," he said, emphasizing that sustainable tourism relies on peaceful environments.
Kasese, renowned for its rich cultural heritage and natural beauty, including the majestic Rwenzori Mountains, has long attracted both local and international tourists.
However, past conflicts and disease outbreaks have severely impacted the tourism sector in the region.
Erifaz Muhindi, the District’s LC5 Chairperson, affirmed that peace has largely returned to Kasese, with the major rebel group the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) already contained. He highlighted the recently concluded Thelunji Festival, a community-led initiative aimed at promoting domestic tourism, and the Rwenzori Marathon, which has successfully attracted both local and international visitors.
"We now have peace in Kasese, apart from a few isolated pockets of the ADF," said Muhindi. "Events like the Thelunji Festival and the Rwenzori Marathon are helping to showcase our region and boost tourism."
Godfrey Kabbyanga, the State Minister for ICT and a native of Kasese, noted that the security threats previously posed by conflict in neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have diminished, allowing businesses and tourism to thrive.
"There are no more threats from the DRC routes," Kabbyanga stated, stressing that improved security has significantly boosted tourism business in the region.
Private sector player Francis Kithula echoed the sentiments of the local leadership, highlighting the potential of Kasese as a major tourism hub.
The leadership also took the opportunity to appeal to President Museveni for further development in the region, including upgrading Kasese Airfield into an international airport to enhance business and tourism opportunities.
"Elevating Kasese to city status and transforming our airfield into an international airport would significantly boost both business and tourism," Kithula noted.
The celebration of World Tourism Day in Kasese underscores the region's potential as a prime tourism destination and highlights the importance of peace and security in fostering sustainable economic growth.
