RE-AWAKENING TOURISM IN THE RWENZORI REGION THROUGH RWENZORI THELUJI FESTIVAL.
From 01st – 04th September 2022, Kasese Tourism Investors Forum organized the inaugural Rwenzori Theluji Festival that is led by the CEO Uganda Tourism Board team Ms. Lilly Ajarova on Sept, 7th joined numerous tourism partners and stakeholders. The festival is attended by Hon. Martin Mugara Bahinduka the Chief Guest State Minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities joined members of Parliament that included Kasese Municipality Kambale Ferigo, former Leader of Opposition Rt. Hon. Winnie Kiiza and Dr Crispus Kiyonga former ambassador of Uganda to China, Kasese district RDC, several government officials, the private sector and media among others.
“Kasese had become the logistical and business hub of Uganda. “Urbanization in Kasese is growing with human resource development increasing because of the existence of Universities where locals can attain skills for development for the growth of both the tourism industry and the district as a whole. Rwenzori region has a lot of untapped Tourism potential, and therefore, Theluji festival has come to reawaken the sleeping giant in particular Tourism in the region,” Hon. Martin Mugara emphasized while launching the expo and the tourism, trade and investment round table.
The government through the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities is implementing the Mt. Rwenzori infrastructure development plan for the period 2021 – 2026 geared towards constructing cold-proof accommodation facilities, 4,000 meters trail, 65 bridges, capacity building services, among several other ventures totaling up to UGX70 billion.
He retaliated government’s commitment to marketing destination Kasese as a preferred tourist spot and argued with the development partners to support the initiative. UTB CEO Lilly Ajarova in her remarks noted that there wasn’t any place on planet earth more beautiful than the Rwenzori region and therefore the need to promote the destination.
What are the benefits of Mt Rwenzori Tourism in Uganda?
Tourism is a multifaceted sector that cuts across the different sectors with a huge multiplier effect. Now that we have everything in the region, we also look forward,
- It promotes a film destination where film producers, scriptwriters and actors from across the world can take advantage of the natural endowments to come up with blockbuster beautiful movies.
- The government recognizes tourism as a leading sector in the development and transformation of Uganda’s economy from peasant to middle-income status, for example, game rangers, guides and porters have been employed.
- Therefore, with the revival of Uganda Airlines has eased the transportation of visitors.
- Telecommunication infrastructure is commonly used since most visitors communicate through emails so the internet in Uganda has been improved.
- Peace and security are one of the main keys that every visitor needs to confirm before his or her travels to Uganda. The safety of the visitors is more important because countries like the Democratic Republic of Congo are less visited due to political wars in the country.
- Improvement of road networks that connect even to the remotest areas of the country including tourism sites and attractions, the task is now up to us to leverage these developments and opportunities therein to benefit from the industry and develop the industry.
Apart from Rwenzori Theluji festival, what else activities did they do while in kasese district?
Cultural diversity expo.
The King of Tooro Kingdom Rukirabasaija Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, accompanied by other climbers reached the highest summit of the Rwenzori ranges. A 10-day Rwenzori Royal Expedition to the Margherita peak led by His Majesty – Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV to draw attention to the impact of climate change has improved on tourism despite the pandemic.
With support from the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife & Antiquities, UNDP and Tooro Kingdom, the Uganda Tourism Board has embarked on the promotion of sustainable adventure tourism under the Campaign – Conserving Mountain Ecosystems – to highlight the beauty and splendor of the Rwenzori Mountain ranges as one of the remaining equatorial glaciers in the world.
The Tusker Lite Mt. Rwenzori marathon.
The Marketing and Innovation Director Emmy Hashakimana at Uganda Breweries Limited officially announced the 800,000,000 financial packages for the festival and marathon. He added saying that UBL has contributed Shs. 800,000,000. Our five-year vision will transform the economy in Kasese and Uganda at large. Tusker Lite is about lighting the way. Tourism and sports are the best intersections at the bottom of the Rwenzori ranges during the marathon. The routes for the marathon are very scenic.
Elizabeth Mutamuliza the Tusker Lite Brand Manager said that there are lots of activities organizers have lined up for people who would like to be part of the event but won’t be running. There will be hikes, bird watching, boat rides on the Kazinga channel and a concert to crown the event.
Amos Wekesa added saying that our motherland is rich in so many ways and this event will cast a spotlight on the many wonders of the Kasese region. This is a great opportunity to explore Uganda.
Tree planting.
Planting trees in kasese is one of the things that have beautified the area with green vegetation which amazed visitors in Uganda. Due to the trees, Ugandan weather has attracted many tourists. Masika Margret a Ugandan tree planter once said that the reason she love trees is because of the support they bring to livelihood and environmental sustainability.
Mboga Johnson the Rwenzori Theluji representative from the Kasese Tourism Forum noted that as the Kasese Tourism Forum, they are excited to have the all partners on board. This festival has been blessed by the Ministry of Tourism and it will be an annual event. They intend to plant 6,000,000 trees within five year period. Before the Tusker Lite Rwenzori marathon, they intend to have a community run as a precursor to the main marathon.
Miss tourism.
“Kasese district delayed to host miss tourism due to the insecurity in the area but thank God government has restored sanity in the area, the reason National events are being held in Kasese.” Mugara said.
At Shiloh gardens in Kasese town, Hon. Martin Bahinduka Mugara the state minister of Tourism declared the winners during the selection exercise the Judge declared Sarah as the first runner-up, followed by Ms Kaija Daphine and Ms Joy among others.
Hon. Godfrey Kabyanga State Minister of ICT hailed all participants for Miss Tourism asking them to sensitize the masses about the beauty of Rwenzori.
A commissioner in the Ministry of Education Mr. Baritazale Kule Benson calls for collaborated effort towards promoting tourism in Kasese and Rwenzori at large
