In a fresh approach to bolster the much-needed promotion of domestic tourism, the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities (MTWA) and the Inter-Religious Council (IRC) of Uganda have launched a partnership aimed at drumming up interest in the sector among religious communities and line entities.
During a meeting held on Monday July 16 at MTWA headquarters in Kampala, the Commissioner Tourism Development Mr. Vivian Lyazi noted that this strategy has long been in the pipeline.
Lyazi emphasized that because of the influence the religious leaders boast in society, engaging them in creating awareness about Uganda’s tourism offerings and in particular the promotion of domestic tourism is now, more than ever before, imperative.
Faith-based tourism, among other components, he noted, has great potential to attract tourists who appreciate spirituality world over “and who better to carry on this promotional crusade than the religious leaders?”
The strategy is hinged on familiarizing the religious leaders with Uganda’s attractions so they in turn create compelling tailored messages embedded their religious teachings encouraging their congregations to explore Uganda and become advocates for religious tourism and the industry as a whole.
“The initiative aims to leverage the influence of religious leaders to promote Uganda as a faith tourism destination. By experiencing the country’s scenic beauty firsthand, the religious leaders are expected to craft messages that resonate with their followers, thereby encouraging domestic tourism and positioning Uganda as an attractive destination for both local and international religious travelers,” Lyazi said.
Among other aspects of the strategy; the Ministry and IRC pointed to employing more tour guides who are well equipped with the histories and development dynamics of religious monuments, churches, mosques, and pilgrimage sites.
His Eminence Metropolitan Jeronymos Muzeeyi, the Archbishop of Uganda Orthodox Church, noted that whereas each of the religious sites can have a museum of their own “as some already do, a one-stop center/museum that details the histories of religion in Uganda is something that should be invested in.”
Familiarization trip to Murchison Falls National Park
Following the meeting, a team of officials from the Inter-Religious Council embarked on a 3-day fam trip organized by the Ministry to Uganda’s largest National Park – Murchison Falls where a series of activities and line engagements followed.
The leaders appreciated a conference on Conservation Tariffs which covered among other topics; park entry pass status, categories and fees, entry and landing fees for vehicles, boats and aircrafts under given classification, gorilla trekking, game drives, birding and guided nature walks, chimpanzee habituation, experimental tourism and mountaineering.
The conference was held at Paraa Safari Lodge, the oldest accommodation facility in Murchison Falls National Park.
A morning boat cruise followed as the officials marveled at the beautiful encounters along the sail on Victoria Nile to the bottom of the falls.
As many dotted on the creator for endowing Uganda with diverse flora and fauna, Rt Rev. Jackson Fredrick Baalwa, Assistant Bishop of Kampala Diocese noted that domestic tourism promotion is indeed a noble cause to support.
“I have been to beautiful places across the globe, visited the Niagara Falls and all but there is something about Uganda, endearingly referred to as the Pearl of Africa, that calls me back home. Since we have finally got this agenda in motion, we are committed to spreading this beautiful gospel and interesting masses world over into exploring Uganda not only as a religious destination but a hub for adventure and business too,” Rev. Baalwa said.
The other officials from the Council included; Hon. Sheikh Mohammad Ali Aluma, the Deputy SG Administration and finance UMSC, Bishop Moses Odongo, General Overseer of the NFBAPC, Msgr. Wynand Katende, In-charge Interfaith -Catholic Church Uganda, Ms. Josephine Kasato, Chairperson Mothers’ Union Buganda region, Rev. Daniel Token Wejuli, Specialist in spirituality and Lazarus Okurut, the Program Officer- Inter-Religious Tourism Center.
According to MTWA, this strategy aligns with broader efforts to diversify Uganda’s tourism offerings by capitalizing on the country’s rich cultural and natural heritage. It is also geared towards realizing the nation’s ten-fold growth strategy aimed at growing the economy to a whopping US$500 billion by the year 2040.
Launched in 2023, the strategy hinges this ambitious target on what has come to be known as ATMS – Agro-industrialization, Tourism, Mineral Development and Technology innovation.
Tourism is expected to contribute 10 percent of this whole, at US$50 Billion. MTWA is optimistic that having a huge population demographic under the religious fraternity becoming ambassadors of domestic tourism will contribute immensely to the cause.
‘Holy Shower’ at the top of the falls
“If you come to Murchison Falls National Park and you don’t visit top of the falls, we don’t count that as a Murchison tour,” our guide – David was clear on the unwritten precepts.
After an eventful evening game drive where towers of giraffes glowed in the wooded savanna illuminated by a magical sunset as herds of buffaloes and impalas picked the last of the day’s foliage among a plethora of other wild species going about their business, the men and woman of God were destined for ye another wonder of the Park.
While the adventurous individuals followed by the step to the highest view point towering over the rumbling current of the world’s most powerful waterfalls, others dreaded getting drenched in the ever-giving misty showers above the Devil’s cauldron.
Wiping his face as he descended the stairs, Bishop Moses Odongo, General Overseer of the NFBAPC was quoted as saying “there is nothing like this, thank you for inviting me here.”
As their trip inched closer to an end, the officials reiterated their commitment to making tourism promotion a part of their responsibility as thought leaders and influential persons who speak and masses listen.
Uganda boasts numerous religious tourism sites including the renowned Namugongo Martyrs Shrine, Baha’i Temple, Gaddafi National Mosque, Katoosa Martyrs Shrine, Munyonyo Martyrs Shrine, Bishop Hannington Murder site, Kigungu Landing Site among others.