RWENZORI ROYAL EXPEDITION BY KING OYO OF TOORO.
On Sunday, 07th August 2022, the Uganda tourism board continuously rebuilds the tourism industry again by embarking on the promotion of sustainable adventure tourism under the Campaign – Conserving Mountain Ecosystems with Fort Portal Tourism City due to the fact that Tourism has been hit by a coronavirus.
This campaign was supported by king Oyo of Tooro, UNDP, and the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife & Antiquities to highlight the beauty and splendor of the Rwenzori Mountain ranges as one of the remaining equatorial glaciers in the world
To draw attention to the impact of climate change, His Majesty – Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV involves the campaign art of the campaign activities, including a 10-day Rwenzori Royal Expedition to the Margherita peak which is the third highest peak in Africa.
Despite the fact that the king draws attention to the impact of climate change, Mountain Rwenzori is a unique adventure that attracts many tourists all over the world.
What are the consequences of climate change in Uganda?
- The rapid loss of glaciers which have reduced from 6.5 square kilometers in 1906 to less than one square kilometer in 2003. Before the end of this century, these Rwenzori glaciers will disappear.
- Flooding of the local communities living at the foothills of the Rwenzori Mountain through outbursts of River Nyamwamba whose source is traced in these mountains. But despite the destruction, the mountain is still needed by tourists who will improve people’s living standards.
The Minister of Tourism – Tooro Kingdom Owekitinisa Joan Kantu Else said that there is an urgent need to preserve the crown of snow on the Rwenzori Mountains. Therefore, we must be prepared to tackle the effects of climate change on our beautiful country today.
However mt Rwenzori Ecosystem is also a great contributor to tourism development, it inhabits 54 Albertine rift endemic species like 09 reptile species, 06 amphibians, 18 mammal species and various bird species that are over 217 species which include the Golden Winged Sunbird, Scarlet tufted Malachite sunbird, Rwenzori Turaco and the Bamboo Warbler.
Despite Mt Rwenzori’s consequences, the park renders the ecosystem an important bird watching site in Uganda for bird lovers.
What are the outcomes?
- Due to the consequences faced by the local communities, this expedition of 2022 will create awareness on what they should do about floods from river Nyamwamba.
- Protection of the affected communities that are surrounding the park.
- to drum up support for culture and heritage tourism promotion in our beautiful country
However, the expedition of Mt Rwenzori will expose other explored attractions in Uganda where mt Rwenzori hiking is spiced by wildlife safaris, culture tours, nature walks, primate tracking in Queen Elizabeth national park, Kibale national park, semuliki national park, Murchison falls national park, Bwindi impenetrable national park, Mgahinga national park, kidepo valley national park, Mt Elgon national park.
Hon. Tom Butime, Minister – Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife & Antiquities said that the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife& Antiquities will continue to support the private sector to develop bespoke tourism products in order to enhance traveler experiences throughout the country
About Mt Rwenzori.
In 1994, the Rwenzori Mountains have named a UNESCO World Heritage site and later a Ramsar Site in 2008 due to the unique beauty and vegetation zones marked by grassland, montane forest, Bamboo, heather and afro-alpine moorland zones which support diverse species of bird and other wildlife. The park is located in the western part of Uganda and is known to be the third highest peak in Africa that is Mount Margherita: 5,109m.
About UTB
Uganda Tourism Board is a government agency that is managed and protected by the Minister of Wildlife, Tourism and Antiquities Col.Tom Buhima and his secretary Mrs. Katusiime Doreen and other partners like Lily Ajarova CEO of UWA to collaborate with the private sector bodies and private marketing and PR firms to promote destination Uganda in key source and emerging markets
UTB supervises 10 national parks that is Bwindi Impenetrable national park, Mgahinga national park, Murchison falls national park, Mt Rwenzori national park, Lake Mburo national park, and semuliki national park, Kibale national park, Mt Elgon national park, Queen Elizabeth national park, and kidepo valley national park. However, UTB also manages wildlife reserves like Matheniko, Katinga, Pian Upe, Ajai, Bokora, Aswa – Lolim and many more
What are the roles of UTB?
- UTB aims to create inclusive opportunities for the tourism sector through market transformation.
- Increase Uganda’s share of Africa’s and World tourism market.
- Enhance Uganda’s competitiveness as an international tourism destination
- To increase the contribution of tourism earnings and GDP.
- To promote and market Uganda not only domestically but also across the region and internationally.
- Promote quality assurance in tourist facilities through training, grading and classification.
- Promote tourism investment, support and act as a liaison for the private sector in tourism development
How does UTB market Uganda?
Due to the pandemic attack that affected Uganda politically, religiously, economically, and socially, Uganda Tourism Board is not resting to get back the tourism market it had before covid-19.
Explore Uganda launch
The Official Government of Uganda’s tourism marketing and regulatory agency launched our long-awaited tourism destination brand— Explore Uganda, The Pearl of Africa on 21st January 2022 by the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB). H.E Yoweri Kaguta Museveni was the guest of the owner at kololo airstrip with the aim of exposing the diversity and richness of Uganda’s tourist attractions and an invitation to both Ugandans at home and the world to discover and experience the pearl. Explore Uganda has not only been launched in Uganda but also in Rwanda during CHOGM and KARIBU in Tanzania.
My gorilla family app launch
My gorilla family app was launched to give out all access to close relatives of humans known as mountain gorillas by following their daily excursions, celebrating their birthdays, and family migrations and receiving updates from the rangers who protect the gorillas and know them best. While in Uganda these gorillas are accessed in Bwindi Impenetrable national park and mgahinga national park which inhabits half of the gorillas in the conservation area.
The post covid ‘my gorilla family app’ launch was mainly to protect Uganda’s mountain gorilla population, leveraging technology to create sustainable sources of non-trekking revenues to fund conservation as well as exposing gorillas all over the world where some of their funds are used to carter for local communities living around Bwindi and mgahinga park.
