AT CHOGM 2022 IN KIGALI, RWANDA, UTB UNVEILS THE EXPLORE UGANDA BRAND.
Uganda Tourism Board in partnership with the Uganda High Commission in Kigali where Uganda used the potential of the CHOGM meeting to unveil and explore the Uganda brand under the theme of ‘’Delivering A Common Future: Connecting, Innovation, and Transforming.’’
From 20th to 25th June 2022, Rwanda hosted the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) which are 54 members and most of them a former British colonies. On 21 June 2022, the Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall arrived in Kigali ahead of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). The meeting brings leaders and representatives together however it has been postponed since 2020 due to the Covid pandemic.
The Uganda High Commission- Kigali and UTB hosted an Uganda Night at the Chancery in Kacyiru and unveiled the new Pearl of Africa Destination brand to over half a million potential travelers in the city of a thousand hills as an official opening ceremony. `During the Street Festival that will showcase Uganda’s unique cuisine, culture, and tourism potential in partnership with the Uganda Tourism Association, Uganda’s tourism private sector will also participate in networking opportunities
After Kenya fetched over 22,660 tourists in 2020 following a significant decline in arrivals in 2019, Rwanda is the second leading source market for Uganda. Due to the fact that both countries share transboundary ethnicity, history, culture, and natural resources, collaborating transboundary interventions will make the tourism market development in both countries.
Uganda’s Deputy High Commissioner to Kigali, Rwanda Amb. Anne Katusiime said that Uganda’s participation in CHOGM 2022 is an excellent opportunity to promote Uganda’s tourism opportunities under the “Explore Uganda” destination brand and to communicate to CHOGM 2022 delegates about the transboundary tourism products between the two nations.
“The event and its side activities will create amazing tourism opportunities.” The CEO of UTB Ms. Lilly Ajarova applauded the Uganda High Commission in Kacyiru, Kigali for spearheading Uganda’s tourism promotion during the CHOGM 2022.
To improve the lives of their citizens, CHOGM 2022 event, commonwealth leaders will reaffirm their common values, and agree on actions and policies.
About Uganda Tourism Board.
UTB is a government organization that started in 1994. In 2008, the role and mandate of the tourism act were reviewed. These are marketing and promoting Uganda internationally and across the region, through training quality assurance in tourist facilities is promoted, grading and classification, tourism investment, support, and act as a liaison for the private sector in tourism development should be promoted, increasing the contribution of tourism earnings and GDP, Uganda’s competitiveness as an international tourism destination and increase Uganda’s share of Africa’s and the World tourism market. Creating inclusive opportunities for the tourism sector through market transformation.
About CHOGM in Rwanda.
CHOGM is a get-together meeting that is composed of 54 member states like the UK, Jamaica, South Africa, Uganda, Rwanda, Pakistan and many more countries. CHOGM is headed by Queen Elizabeth 2 who has been represented by the Prince of Wales in 2013 who had served as the eldest son of Queen Elizabeth 2 and he again represented her in the 2022 meeting in Rwanda.
The meeting normally takes place every after two years in different member states. In 2008, the meeting was supposed to seat again in 2020 but due to Covid, the meeting was postponed to 2022 which took place in Rwanda.
The 54 member states collaborate on issues such as human rights, trade, climate change and democracy through formal meetings such as CHOGMs and the work of the Commonwealth Secretariat and country leaders.
However, two more countries have registered as CHOGM members that are Togo and Gabon adding up to 56th member states.
“The Commonwealth, which began as eight nations in 1949, is growing to 56. Our continued growth, beyond the scope of our history, reflects the advantages of Commonwealth membership and the strength of our association. I am thrilled to see these vibrant countries join the Commonwealth family and dedicate themselves to the values and aspirations of our Charter.” Commonwealth Secretary-General the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland, QC, said during the welcoming announcement of Togo and Gabon registering for CHOGM.
What are other countries that have registered to join the CHOGM member states?
Due to the fact that the CHOGM meeting has developed the member states, the other unregistered countries are interested to join them such countries include Togo which is a French-speaking country that is ready to be a member state of CHOGM. Togo is bordered by Ghana and Benin and Burkina Faso. It has a population of approximately 7.8 million people.
Gabon is also a French colony that has just registered as part of the Commonwealth of Government meeting. Gabon is a sparsely populated country of two million people, bordering Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea, and the Republic of Congo.
As member states, what are the rules and regulations of CHOGM?
Despite the fact that CHOGM member states are represented by 56 countries as of now, every participant in the conference and media representatives had to go through the accreditation process where they will receive a passcode system which will confirm their identity as well as complete the steps of compliance CHOGM rules.
While the ID code for every participant is issued with a photo of him or her and brief information, the participant will be allowed to enter the meeting.
However, before receiving an ID or badge, the credential when the participation ID is lost or stolen participants have rules to follow
The member is given a badge and an ID which represents the state the participant is coming from. Failure to follow the rules will result in suspension since there is no identification.
However, the participants might not have access to some forums and conferences, the ID indicates a list of events that the participant is authorized to attend.
It’s necessary for any participant having access to CHOGM events to be checked by the security service to secure the lives of people.
It is a must to also check the participants belongings.
The media representatives are allowed to take pictures or make videos of other participants and use the received materials only for purposes that do not contradict the legislation of the host country.
It is prohibited to pass the ID to third parties so it is advisable for the participants to keep their own IDs until the end of the meeting because security in charge will eligibly keep identifying the IDs as well as their photos for security purposes.
It is a must for all participants, delegates, and media representatives during the conference to show their photos and IDs.
The participant should immediately notify the security service or the Meeting Secretariat in case when the participation ID is lost or stolen.
