The National Tourism Events Organisers Federation (NTEOF) has petitioned Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, seeking inclusion in the government’s Shs10 billion support package for event organisers, saying tourism event operators were left out despite their significant role in promoting Uganda’s tourism industry.
In a petition addressed to the Prime Minister, the federation expressed concern that its members were not included among beneficiaries of the recently announced intervention aimed at supporting the events sector.
“While we commend the Government of Uganda for supporting the events industry, we are deeply concerned that tourism events organizers under NTEOF were not included among the beneficiaries of this intervention,” federation president Peter Sebulime said.
The petition comes shortly after Nabbanja convened an urgent consultative meeting with event and concert promoters to review the utilisation of the initial Shs3 billion already disbursed and to establish a framework for the release of the remaining Shs7 billion.
The government support package is intended to strengthen Uganda’s entertainment and events industry, but NTEOF argues that tourism-focused events have been overlooked despite their wider economic impact.
The federation, which brings together 45 major tourism event organisers, said its members host some of Uganda’s most prominent festivals, cultural events, sports tourism activities and community tourism experiences.
Its leadership includes Aly Allibhai as vice president and Amos Wekesa as chairman.
According to the petition, member events generate an estimated Shs70 billion annually through tourism spending, hospitality, transport, entertainment and job creation, particularly for young people.
The organisers argue that tourism events have consistently complemented government efforts to market Uganda internationally, attract investment and stimulate local economies across the country.
“Tourism events have consistently complemented Government efforts to market Uganda, attract investment, create jobs for young people, and stimulate local economies across the country,” the petition reads.
While welcoming government recognition of tourism as a driver of socio-economic transformation under the ATMS strategy, the federation said tourism events remain excluded from targeted support programmes for the sector.
“We respectfully request that NTEOF be recognized and included in the current Shs10 billion allocation and in all future government interventions targeting event organizers,” the federation said.
It warned that the current arrangement risks giving the impression that the entire events sector is adequately covered, while a significant segment remains excluded.
“We are particularly concerned that the current arrangement may create the impression that all event organizers in Uganda are adequately represented and benefiting from government support, when in reality a significant segment of the industry remains excluded,” the petition states.
The federation has called on the Prime Minister’s office to review the matter and ensure fair representation in current and future government support initiatives.
It reiterated its commitment to working with government to promote Uganda as a tourism destination and contribute to national development through events-led economic activity.
