UTB, Jinja authorities partner to develop tourism in the city

Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) and Jinja Authorities have concluded plans to develop the city as a gateway tourism destination in Eastern Uganda.

The plans are as a result of the recent meeting between UTB, Jinja City Council officials and the Private Sector.

Running under the theme, “Showcasing Tourism Potential for Jinja City”, the meeting chaired by Acting Jinja Town Clerk – John Gulooba Choli, was attended by the UTB Delegation led by board Chairman – Hon. Daudi Migereko, Vice Chairperson Mrs. Susan Muhwezi and Jinja City officials.

The Stakeholder engagement meeting highlighted the challenges faced by the tourism sector in the city as well as strategies that will mitigate the hurdles ahead of revamping the tourism industry.

The meeting  comes at a time when UTB is profiling Entebbe-Kampala and Jinja City to identify potential tourism sites in the areas, discover tourism opportunities therein, and potential investment areas that could spur economic development.

Mr Gulooba presented key issues affecting the tourism sector in Jinja and the Busoga region at large which included limited government funding towards tourism activities, and inadequate tourism infrastructure.

In his remarks, Hon. Migereko acknowledged the sorry state of the infrastructure in Jinja and added that there was an urgent need to develop a sound maintenance program for key access roads to tourism hotspots such as Bridge Street and the Source of the Nile. Furthermore, the UTB Chairman highlighted the need to curate, authenticate and standardize the information shared by tour guides at these attractions for an exceptional tourism experience by travelers.

UTB’s Tourism City Development Plans have earmarked the development of Jinja as a gateway tourism city in the financial Year 2022/23. The plan dubbed the Entebbe- Kampala- Jinja Project will highlight the available tourism and investment opportunities in the three cities but also position them as model cities for tourism development across the country.

Ms Lilly Ajarova, UTB CEO added that the Board had recruited three consultants to profile the cities, showcase the available tourism and investment opportunities as well as the enhancement of existing services. She also noted that the tourism opportunities in the Jinja City such as adventure and cultural tourism would position Uganda as a unique destination for an adventure of a lifetime.

In particular, Ms Ajarova pointed out white water rafting, tubing, bungee jumping, cycling, horse riding and other adrenaline sports tourism activities that are unique to Jinja City. She was pleased that the UTB Delegation would experience these tourism products while in the city.

On her part, Mrs. Muhwezi, UTB Vice Chairperson noted that there was a need to engage all tourism sector stakeholders ahead of the development and implementation of the plans in collaboration with the city authorities.

She also mentioned that the Government of Uganda is discussing the taxation issues faced by the tourism sector so that the country remains competitive ahead of recovery.