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Gorillas atop as Uganda’s Biggest Tourism Foreign Exchange Earners, Hints Minister

Gorilla Tourism has once again topped Uganda’s foreign exchange earners. Speaking on Wednesday at the Uganda Media Center in Kampala ahead of the second Congress of the African Primatological Society (APS) to be held September 3-5, the tourism minister Ephraim Kamuntu said that Uganda’s tourism is the top foreign exchange earner bringing in US$1.4 billion ahead of remittances adding that the sector is nature-based which translates that it flourishes on wildlife like Mountain Gorillas.

The minister further commented that Uganda used to thrive on incomes from the three Cs (Coffee, Cotton and Copper). “Not anymore,” according to Kamuntu, adding that tourism employs 8% of Uganda’s labor force which he estimated at one million.

Kamuntu described Uganda as a country gifted by nature because it is where the East African savanna encounters the tropical rain forests which forests are homes to wildlife like gorillas. It also has the rift valleys and lakes as well as the great Nile.

These conditions have all largely contributed to the survival of Mountain gorillas in Uganda. Tourists who come for gorilla tracking in Uganda pay about US$800 each for a gorilla tracking permit. Around 20,000 tourists visit Uganda per annum to track gorillas. This has seen mountain gorillas top the list as the biggest tourism foreign exchange earners.

Uganda is one of the only three countries that host the mountain gorillas. These great apes are endemic to Africa and live in two separate habitats; Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and the Virunga Mountains, a trans-boundary protected area that spreads through Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

It is estimated that almost a half of the world Mountain Gorillas population is protected in Uganda’s conservation areas of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in the southwest. The rest of the gorilla population is found in the Volcanoes National Park of Rwanda and Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The endangered (listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List) and highly protected primates are the biggest foreign exchange earners to the coffers of Uganda Wildlife Authority, contributing up to 60% of the national revenue.

The African Primatological Society (APS) is expecting 200 primatologists from Africa, non-African researchers and conservationist from across Africa and other parts of the world.

Uganda Tourism Gains Publicity at WTM UK

Uganda’s tourism sector got a large publicity in UK’s top media coverage that led to increased inquiries at the just-concluded three-day event World Travel Market (WTM) expo in London. At this annual even Uganda was showcased its great advantages! Uganda is a competetetive tourism destination and some of the reasons why you must visit Uganda is its great weather that is conducive all year round, wildlife, culture, heritage and unique location. These features make it the ultimate safari destination in East Africa.

Another potential is the investment opportunities that are available for business travelers who would like to trade or invest in this lovely country.

Uganda’s tourism was featured on a full page spread in the travel section of the UK’ leading newspapers that inlclude The Financial Times (FT), fondly referred to as FT or the Pinky, because of its distinctive pink colour, prizes itself.

FT.com has 4.5 million registered users and over 285,000 digital subscribers, as well as 600,000 paying users. FT Chinese has more than 1.7 million registered users.

“For Uganda to appear in the FT is very good publicity especially that it was featured on a full page as the lead story on the eve of the WTM is mark of honor, visibility and recognition for us as a country,” says UTB Chief Executive Officer, Stephen Asiimwe.

Led by the Minister of Tourism Wildlife and Antiquities, Prof. Ephraim Kamuntu and hosted by the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB), Uganda exhibiting at the Excel international Convention Centre located on the northern quay of the Royal Victoria Dock in London Docklands, between Canary Wharf and London City Airport.

The three-day event was attended also by 20 private sector exhibitors who also included hoteliers and accommodation property owners. “In 2015 and 2016, Uganda had 18 private sector players. This is the largest contingent of private sector players and we are very hopeful there will be an increase in numbers,” Stephen Asiimwe, the CEO of the UTB said yesterday.

UTB also provided promotional materials, meals, entertainment, media, speaking engagements and coordinated meetings with different players.

Uganda’s government delegation also included the state minister of tourism, Hon. Godfrey Kiwanda, the shadow tourism minister and MP for Kasese, Hon Robert Centenary, and the outgoing Tourism Permanent Secretary Amb. Patrick Mugoya. Mr. Mugoya has been transferred to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Others are the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) and the High Commission in London led by Amb. Joyce Kikafunda.

“We are here to aggressively market Uganda in all its facets,” Prof. Kamuntu said at a media briefing at the Uganda Stand. “President Yoweri Museveni has promised us more support and we are determined to push Uganda to a middle income economy by 2031 and tourism will be one of the cash cows in this endeavor,” he added.

“The hiring of a public relations and marketing firm for the UK market has been a big boost in bringing business contacts, appointments and securing good deals for our tour operators,” Asiimwe said.

Kamageo group was responsible for the increased publicity, visibility and interest in Uganda. Kamageo has been running a “Discover Your Uganda” campaign under the Pearl of Africa brand. This has led to writers flying into Uganda and writing and covering travel experiences from Bwindi Impenetrable forests to Kidepo National Park and covered in top media houses like National Geographic, The Sun Newspaper, The Daily Star, The Independent, Rough Guides, among others.

At the WTM Uganda featured in a travel trade center-spread magazine, the TTG@WTM with a readership of 50,000 readers in print and on-line.

In May 2016, Uganda hired three PR and Marketing companies for North America, German Speaking and English speaking countries. The UK firm, which was contracted, Kamageo, has been very instrumental in engaging mainly UK travel trade and media companies to highlight travel experiences to Uganda. The event which was launched by President Yoweri Museveni at State House Entebbe has seen over six groups from top Media and Travel companies do familiarization trips to Uganda.