Guma Alex Tibanyendera, one of the best-ranked private tour guides in Uganda, earned quite a reputation as a tour guide. He has a degree in Business Administration and Tourism from the Makerere University of Uganda. Known as the “GUMA OF UGANDA,” which means “strong” in the local language, he and the other local guides such as Roger Muyingo, Ronald Bwambale, Gillian Josephine P’ochen, etc. are the faces representing the country before the visitors.

As the country is building its dream to reach the milestone of a sustainable economy, it needs to use every potential sector. Tourism being one of the most promising, let us explore the unfathomable potential of Uganda in tourism. The story of Guma resonates with the rise of Uganda as a tourism potential country rooted deep yet unexplored to date.

Uganda is rich in natural resources and has astonishing beauty lies throughout the whole country. Often called the “Pearl of Africa”, it possesses great natural and cultural diversity. Uganda is god gifted from the highest mountain ranges to the source of the longest river in Africa. It is like the creator has decorated the country with his own hands. Having such resources and natural beauty, Uganda possesses high potential in tourism and its related industries. The country offers eco and cultural tourism, has half of the world’s population of mountain gorillas, 10 national parks, and more attractions followed by the interests of a huge number of tourists.

Contributing a small portion of the total GDP, tourism is peeking to rise as a mammoth and also making Uganda the next destination for adventure seekers. However, the country is harnessing a lot less than its true potential. Thus, the opportunities are far beyond its reach. Nevertheless, Uganda’s promising sector does need some rework and attention to contribute more to its GDP, create a large job market, and drive economic benefits.

• Uganda is rich in natural beauty, vast landscapes, and wildlife. The country is considered as one of the few to hold significant potential in tourism
• Home to the longest river in Africa and the highest mountain ranges, it puts little effort into capturing tourist attention
• Tourism in Uganda can turn the country’s economic balance to its original course and boost its speed to reach a sustainable economy

Do you know that the World Tourism Organization has ranked Uganda as one of the most promising destinations for tourists? And, Lonely Planet ranked the country #1 in “Top Countries & Travel Destinations 2012” in 2012.

Sitting in Eastern Africa, Uganda is a landlocked country that shares borders with Kenya in the West, South Sudan in the South, Congo in the East, and Rwanda and Tanzania in the North. 81.8% of the country is covered by land and the rest is occupied by water. Though it is landlocked, Uganda is fertile and has a favorable climate with open access to water bodies. Many lakes and rivers flow through the heart of Uganda.

Looking at the tourism sector, the seven wonders in the country are the primary sources to bring in tourists. Mountain gorillas, Kazinga Channel, Murchison Falls, Lake Victoria, snow-capped Rwenzori Mountain, Kibale Forest National Park, and Mount Elgon are the Ugandan pride. Unparalleled safari experiences, long savannahs, primate species, and diverse tribal cultures place the country on the bucket list of millions of tourists.

Tourism resources, those which are natural, don’t need much development but attract more than artificial things. These resources need less attention but require regular inspection, oversee, and management to maintain. Uganda is rich in majestic natural landscapes with a marginal human touch. For those who seek the beauty of raw nature and want to experience top-notch adventure through a thrilling journey, Uganda has it all.

Source: The Kampala Post

The landscapes and wildlife in Uganda control the strings attached to its tourism. Besides, its manifold cultural vibe from multiple ethnic groups that form via vibrant music, dance, and art are well appraised by the whole world. In addition, the government also pushes the limit of managing the flow of tourists every year. Moreover, infrastructure development, investments, and policies have made it a premier tourism destination in Africa.

The effort to leverage its abundant tourism resources is ongoing, thanks to the government for realizing the potential. But to maximize the return at a minimal risk, there should be a strategic approach. The preservation of its nature will be the most prioritized one. Support from the local communities, creating a skilled group to assist the tourists, infrastructure, and facilities will be the next concerns to maximize the economic gain. A perfect balance of strategy to utilize the sector will bring the risks to a marginal phase but will boost the gain by a lot at the same time.

Winston Churchill Uganda in 1907 and became amazed by its radiant nature. He quoted the country as the “Pearl of Africa”. Till the late 1960s, Uganda received a good number of tourists but the road was blocked in the early 1970s for political unrest. Later in the mid-1990s, Uganda managed to restore its condition and again become a top destination for overseas tourists.

Tourism in Uganda is mainly of adventure, eco, and culture. Popular activities include hiking, mountain climbing, game and bird viewing, cultural experience, etc. The seven wonders are sitting at the top of receiving tourists. Safari experience through the vast savannah, from high peaks to the largest lake, 10 national parks filled with wildlife are the top attractions for tourists to visit in Uganda. Bwindi National Park has almost half the population of mountain gorillas, marking the place as another distinctive space to travel to the country.

If you still wonder about the top places to visit in Uganda, here’s a list of the key destinations you can explore on your next trip to the Pearl of Africa.

• Jinja and Lake Victoria
• Bwindi National Park
• Kampala
• Sipi Falls
• Murchison Falls
• Rwenzori Mountain
• Kidepo National Park
• Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
• Kibale National Park
• Queen Elizabeth National Park

There are hundreds of more for a visit to Uganda!

Africa’s classic wildlife includes the Big Five, birds, monkeys, and anything you can think of. Even if someone is looking for a hiking experience, a close touch of nature, or to go on an adventure, Africa has it all. But narrowing it down to Uganda, it also offers the whole package!

The contribution of tourism to Uganda’s economy can be multiplied by a lot. World Travel and Tourism Council reported that the contribution of tourism to its GDP is about 3.1%. The amount was US$1.60 billion in the 2018-19 financial year. But the country lacks by a lot more than its African mates as the impact of tourism on GDP is higher in Kenya at 5%, Tanzania at 4.8%, and Madagascar at 5.7%.

The Uganda Bureau of Statistics showed a 21% increase in the share of leisure tourists in the period of 17 years (2012-2019). The sector has created 536,600 jobs in 2019, and 321,960 in 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic caused a downfall in tourism but as the world is coming back from the horror, a major uprise is expected. 

The numbers show that there are open rooms available for a lot of development in the tourism sector. The potential is before everyone’s eyes while the government needs to give a bit push each year to unlock the opportunities. With proper plans and policies, development, infrastructure, and skill, the country can head to achieve its economic dream.