Untapped Tourism Potential in Ankole Region Sparks Concerns Among Leaders
Ankole Sub-region, encompassing 12 districts, boasts numerous tourist attractions, but many remain undiscovered, according to findings by a local newspaper. The region includes notable sites like the Mugabe Palace, the former Ankole Kingdom headquarters at Kamukuzi Hill, Lake Mburo, Queen Elizabeth National Parks, and the crater lakes of Rubirizi. Additionally, Ankole is renowned for its special breed of long-horned cattle, contributing to its cultural richness.
Despite being a major coffee-growing area, with districts like Bushenyi and Buhweju leading in coffee production, the region faces challenges in promoting its tourist sites. Currently producing two metric tons of tea per hectare annually, Ankole aims to increase production to six metric tons through local solutions, including climate-resilient tea varieties, nitrogen-fixing trees, and water harvesting.
Leaders in the region express concerns about the lack of deliberate efforts to market these attractions to the outside world. Howard Muhwezi, a youth leader in Mbarara City, emphasizes the need to empower local communities for comprehensive tourism promotion, beyond the common focus on wild animals.
Devin Itaagi, CEO of Canine Safaris, criticizes the limited profiling of the region’s attractions, citing the absence of collaboration between local administrators and stakeholders like tour operators and the Uganda Tourism Board. He advocates for digitalizing the tourism sector to enhance accessibility for tourists.
Rogers Mugarura, the tourism officer in Rwampara District, points out that poor road networks and limited marketing contribute to the obscurity of Ankole’s tourist sites. The lack of funding in district budgets and private ownership of these sites also pose challenges.
Leaders propose solutions to address these issues. Bonny Tashobya, Mbarara City Speaker, reveals plans to introduce a revenue-generating policy for tourist attractions, ensuring resources for site upgrades. Kweyamba Ruhemba, Ibanda District’s Chief Administrative Officer, plans to develop a comprehensive plan for the district’s tourist sites. Edward Kasagara, Rubirizi District’s Chief Administrative Officer, highlights the success of marketing and sensitization efforts in Rubirizi, emphasizing the need for infrastructure development.
Eunice Kansiime, spokesperson for the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife, and Antiquities, urges local governments to take responsibility for publicizing and marketing these sites, emphasizing that it is not solely the ministry’s role.
