The directive follows a petition by the National Tourism Events Organizers Federation (NTEOF), which asked Parliament to intervene over what it described as unfair exclusion of tourism event organisers from the programme.
In a letter dated July 3, 2026, and signed by Clerk to Parliament Adolf Mwesige Kasaija, the Ministry of Tourism was asked to address the concerns raised by the federation.
"This is therefore to forward to you the said letter for your appropriate action," Kasaija wrote in a letter addressed to the Permanent Secretary of the ministry.
The intervention follows a petition dated June 29 by NTEOF president Sebulime Peter, who argued that tourism event organisers contribute significantly to destination marketing, domestic tourism promotion, employment creation and economic growth but were not considered in the government support package.
NTEOF said tourism events, including festivals, marathons, cultural celebrations, destination marketing campaigns and community tourism initiatives, are an integral part of Uganda's tourism sector and should benefit from government interventions targeting the events industry.
The federation has also petitioned several government institutions, including the Office of the Prime Minister, Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, State House Anti-Corruption Unit, Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Uganda Tourism Board and Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development.
In a submission to the Permanent Secretary and Secretary to the Treasury, Ramathan Ggoobi, the federation requested that disbursement of the Shs7 billion be halted until all eligible event organisers are considered.
NTEOF argued that releasing the funds before resolving the concerns would undermine transparency, accountability and equitable access to public resources.
The federation also asked the State House Anti-Corruption Unit to investigate allegations that the allocation process may have been manipulated to benefit only three SACCOs.
It requested that no funds be released until the process is independently reviewed to establish whether it was conducted fairly.
According to NTEOF, tourism event organisers have repeatedly attempted to engage relevant government offices but have not been given an opportunity to present their concerns.
The federation also petitioned the Office of the Prime Minister to temporarily suspend the disbursement of funds pending consultations with all stakeholders.
It further sought an urgent meeting with the Minister of Local Government, Balaam Barugahara Ateenyi, arguing that the presidential directive behind the support package was intended to benefit the wider events industry rather than a single category of organisers.
NTEOF said tourism events have helped promote Uganda as a destination while supporting musicians, creatives, hospitality businesses and other players in the tourism value chain.
The federation says it represents 45 tourism event organisers from across the country involved in festivals, sports tourism events, destination marketing initiatives and community tourism programmes.
The organisers welcomed Parliament’s intervention, saying it could help ensure government support reaches all eligible participants in the events industry through a transparent and inclusive process.