Uganda Hotel and tour operators have been urged to provide quality services in order to attract more tourists , writes Eddy Kirya.

Mr. Baguma Balinder, a commisioner in the Ministry of trade and tourism told participants in a workshop at Metropole Hotel in Kampala that the Tourism Act 2008 would stregthen the Hotel and tourism industry unlike the old law.

He also added that the industry had lagged behind due to the lack of awareness of Uganda as a major Tourist destination.

The workshop was sponsored by the UK’s department of International development and the University of Strathclayde Business School.

By Eddy Kirya
Uganda Hotel News

Apiculture experts from Africa are meeting in Africana Hotel, a Uganda Hotel to formulate a platform that will unlock investment opportunities, and a share of $3 billion (Shs 5.1 trillion) global market.

A three-day forum, dubbed Apitrade Expo 2008 the first of its kind and a brainchild of ApiTrade Africa, a non-profit making member based organization registered in Uganda and Tanzania has been called to spearhead the sector in Africa through trade, writes Eddy Kirya.

The first event is taking place at Hotel Africana from October 22 to 25.The event will be held every 2 years from this moment on.

Ms Florence Kata, the Executive Director, Uganda Export Promotion Board (UEPB) said; “Honey and its products are one of the sector’s (UEPB’s) five year strategy to increase exports earning to $5 billion up from the current $3 billion by 2012 for the country through diversification”.

Kata further emphasised that engaging in the activity will work along way to alleviate poverty, amongst the people in rural areas who take up this economic activity.

By Eddy Kirya
Uganda Hotel News

Residents of Arua in uganda are beginning to position themselves to tap into the windfall of tourism in the area after the Minister of State for Tourism Serapio Rukundo said the government plans to revitalise tourism in the area.

Tourism in the area known for its cultural sites suffered a setback during the two decade rebel-insurgence in northern Uganda. The district now depends on small-scale enterprises and other social services for revenue, writes Eddy Kirya.

Mr Andama Ferua, the Arua District Chairman, said the political turmoil and lawlessness which prevailed in the district in the 1980 did not spare the tourism industry. He also said. “Arua district was are sadly losing much income from tourism.”

Cultural sites were vandalised, and other potential tourism sites such as mountains were not properly maintained. The tourist areas lack international class amenities such as modern hotels, restaurants, and entertainment. The frail tourism industry has in the past attracted attention of scholars and researchers but mainly for academic purposes.

He said there was need to have to restock Ajai Game Reserve with white Rhinos if the government is to realise the full potential of tourism in the area. He remains optimistic that since peace has returned to the area, the wildlife resource will recover from the ecological imbalance.

By Eddy Kirya
Uganda Hotel News

The land where the multimillion dollar Kampala Hilton Hotel in Uganda is being constructed in Nakasero, Kampala has been advertised. The sale is aimed at recovering about Shs4.5 billion ($2.5m) to pay for legal services rendered to AYA Investments (U) Limited. The bailiffs were last week ordered by the High Court to sell AYA’s immovable property to pay their attorneys who helped secure funding for the construction of Kampala Hilton Hotel, writes Eddy Kirya.

“It is hereby ordered that the interest of the judgment debtor (Aya Investments) is prohibited from transferring or changing such property in any way, and all persons from taking any benefit from such transfer,” said High Court Registrar Roe Byaruhanga in the October 21 order.

The High Court registrar’s order arises from the May 20 judgment in which the court ordered AYA Investments to pay Mr Muzamiru Kibeedi of M/s Kibeedi and Company Advocates fees amounting to $275,000 as fees for the services and US$373,500 as VAT

By Eddy Kirya
Uganda Hotel News