On Friday 27 May 2022, Hon Tom Butime, the Minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities officially handed over three international tourism film awards from UTB during the ceremony held at the Sheraton Hotel, Kampala. Mr. Basil Ajer, Director of Tourism and other senior officials from the Ministry of Tourism accompanied the minister.
The UTB Board Chairman Hon. Daudi Migereko handed over the awards in the presence of the UTB Board members like Lilly Ajarova the CEO UTB management and media who received the same in South Africa.
The three international wards took place in cape town in South Africa and Uganda has been crowned this year’s Grand Prix and two times Gold award winner by the International Tourism Film Festival Africa for her film; Explore Uganda – The Pearl of Africa.
“I recognize the efforts by everyone that enabled us to win these accolades. These awards are recognition of our capacity to exercise our brainpower as a Country; through this, we have demonstrated our creativity to the whole world in the production of the video, highlighting Uganda’s tourism attractions.” The Minister of Tourism, Wildlife, and Antiquities Hon. Tom Butime said in his remarks.
‘’ I congratulate The Ministry of Tourism, UTB Board, and Management for this achievement. With this, I begin to think that we are living an interesting time given the accolades as these amplify the Country’s image in the whole world as a leading tourism destination. For an organization to take pride in its work, you must have trophies and accolades like the ones Uganda has won.” He added.
“The awards are a major accomplishment for Uganda, coming a few months after the launch of the refreshed new country Destination Brand; Explore Uganda – The Pearl of Africa. On 21st January H.E President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, endorsed and launched the new country Destination Brand.” UTB Chairman Hon. Daudi Migereko said.
“These awards are crucial in positioning Uganda as a major Tourist destination in light of the recovery efforts spearheaded by The Ministry of Tourism Wildlife and Antiquities. He noted with appreciation the interest Ugandans have taken in domestic tourism, particularly in the post- Covid period. The country, in particular the private sector, needs to invest and be ready to handle the anticipated increase in tourist numbers.
The UTB CEO in her speech applauded LOOKOUT Films that shot the video that was acknowledged by the Jury, this portrayed amazing film production talent Uganda has including Scriptwriters, Directors and Producers as the video was part of the brand development with technical assistance from TBWA and Africa wide marketing, branding and Public Relations firm’’ he said.
“LOOKOUT Films that shot the video that was acknowledged by the Jury, portrayed amazing film production talent Uganda has including Scriptwriters, Directors and Producers as the video was part of the brand development with technical assistance from TBWA an Africa wide marketing, branding, and Public Relations firm’’ The UTB CEO in her speech applauded said.
Explore Uganda has resulted a great achievement on the online statistics as a new destination brand show 526 million impressions. explore Uganda handles YouTube video has 1.6 million views with 9 million impressions, 18 million views on the Google display banner, 378,418 engagements and 381 clicks,
In order to rediscover the beauty of the pearl of Africa, the films premiered by UTB which has exposed all that is rare, precious and beautiful in Africa for an adventure of a lifetime.
As the global travel industry recovers from the Covid-19 pandemic, The film has increased arrivals in the destination due to the exploration of the beauty of the pearl of Africa. However rebuilding and restarting the sector as the global tourism and travel industry resumes, UTB is working with all stakeholders, particularly the private sector.
About the UTB
UTB is a government agency working with all stakeholders, particularly the private sector since 1994. Uganda Tourism Board role and mandate were reviewed in the Tourism Act of 2008.
Roles of the Uganda Tourism Board.
- Promoting and marketing Uganda internationally and across the region
- Through training, the Board should promote quality assurance in tourist facilities.
- To grade and classify.
- To promote tourism investment, support, and act as a liaison for the private sector in tourism development.
- Increasing the contribution of tourism earnings and GDP will make the UTB reach its goals.
About the pearl of Africa
Uganda is indeed the pearl of Africa sir Samuel Baker named it due to its beautiful sceneries like the most powerful waterfalls in Murchison falls national park, kidepo valley national park, mt Rwenzori national park, Semulki national park, Queen Elizabeth national park, Bwindi Impenetrable national park and Mgahinga national park which are well known for gorilla trekking and golden monkeys respectively. Kibale national park for chimpanzees trekking, mt Elgon national park, Lake Mburo national park.
Apart from national parks, Uganda’s tourism industry has got cultures, kingdoms, and monuments that have attracted tourists from different areas of the world. In cultures, we have karamanjogo, who are cattle keepers, Banyankole who are also cattle keepers and farmers. In kingdoms, we have baganda, batooro, basonga and many more.
Among the activities, a client can’t afford to miss out on are game drive, birding, fishing, boat cruise, water rafting, river tubing on the source of the Nile, trekking, hiking , nature walks and many more that have increased the tourism industry in Uganda which have developed the infrastructure networks as well as improving on the standards of living.
