Delegates attending the 19th summit of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) in Kampala have been encouraged to explore the natural beauty and diverse flora and fauna of the host country, Uganda. The call was made by Gen (rtd) Jeje Odongo, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, during the opening ceremony at Munyonyo Commonwealth Resort Hotel on Monday.
Odongo urged the delegates from the 120 NAM member countries not to limit themselves to the conference facility or Kampala city alone but to take the opportunity to discover other parts of Uganda and appreciate its beautiful landscapes and the hospitality of its people.
The NAM summit, themed “Deepening cooperation for shared global affluence,” is one of the significant global gatherings hosted by Uganda since the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in 2007. The event highlights Uganda’s growing reputation as a destination for regional and international conferences.
Delegates have the opportunity to explore Uganda’s attractions, including dense misty forests, snow-peaked mountains, glassy lakes, and sprawling savannas. The country’s tourism sector is rapidly growing, with Uganda being ranked as a top tourist destination and home to about 50% of the world’s known population of endangered mountain gorillas.
The Uganda Investment Authority (UIA) notes that game viewing is a popular tourist activity in Uganda’s national parks, offering diverse wildlife, including rare tree-climbing lions in Ishasha, white rhinoceros, and elephants. Additionally, Uganda boasts 11% of the world’s bird species and features unspoiled scenic beauty, including forests, hills, mountains, rivers, and lakes.
