President Museveni has received the Uganda Tourism Association (UTA) Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his leadership and contribution to the growth and transformation of Uganda’s tourism industry.
The award was presented during the Uganda Tourism Association Annual Tourism Banquet in Kampala, which brought together tourism stakeholders, government officials and development partners to celebrate achievements and discuss ways of strengthening the sector.
Museveni was represented at the event by his daughter, Diana Kyaremera Museveni, who received the award on his behalf from Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities Permanent Secretary Doreen Katusiime.
In his acceptance message, Museveni thanked the association for recognising the efforts of the government in developing tourism as one of Uganda’s strategic economic sectors.
“I thank the Uganda Tourism Association for recognising our efforts in transforming the tourism sector. Tourism remains one of Uganda’s strategic economic sectors, and we must continue protecting our natural resources so they can benefit both current and future generations,” Museveni said.
The President commended private sector players for complementing government efforts through investments in hotels, tour operations, conservation initiatives and destination marketing.
“The private sector has played a critical role in increasing both domestic and international tourist arrivals through sustained investment and promotion of Uganda as a tourism destination,” he said.
Museveni also assured tourists and investors that Uganda had contained the Ebola outbreak and was undergoing the mandatory 42-day surveillance period before being declared Ebola-free.
“Uganda has effectively contained the Ebola outbreak. We are now in the mandatory observation period, and I want to assure all visitors that Uganda remains a safe destination for tourism and investment,” he said.
State Minister for Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities Suzan Nakawuki described tourism as one of Uganda’s fastest-growing sectors, contributing to employment creation, foreign exchange earnings and economic growth.
“Tourism is one of Uganda’s leading economic sectors. It creates jobs, earns foreign exchange and supports communities across the country. Government remains committed to creating an enabling environment for the industry to thrive,” Nakawuki said.
The minister also appealed to foreign governments and diplomatic missions to review travel advisories that she said create negative perceptions about Uganda and affect efforts to attract international visitors.
“We appeal to foreign missions to review travel advisories that create negative perceptions about Uganda. Our country remains peaceful, secure and ready to welcome visitors from across the world,” she said.
Nakawuki reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting the sector through infrastructure development, favourable policies, investment promotion, skills development and destination marketing.
The annual Uganda Tourism Association Tourism Banquet recognises individuals and institutions that have made significant contributions to the tourism sector while providing a platform for networking and partnerships aimed at building a competitive and sustainable industry.
This year’s event highlighted the growing partnership between government and private sector players in positioning Uganda as a leading tourism destination in Africa.
