Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) in partnership with Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) has today unveiled amodern tourism information centre; the Kampala Tourism Information Centre at Sheraton Hotel. The Centre will be a one-stop tourism facility that gives visitors key information about our tourism heritage, products, e-business platforms, souvenirs and booking for UWA services and products among other tourism services.

The event was presided over by the Minister of State for Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities Hon. Martin Mugarra Bahinduka who officially commissioned the centre.

While commissioning the centre, Hon. Bahinduka appreciated UWA and KCCA for the initiative saying that information is important and the centre will play a crucial role through creation of awareness about various attractions in Kampala, other parts of Uganda and the protected areas especially now that the tourism sector is still recovering from the effects of COVID-19.  

He said that whereas the COVID pandemic greatly affected international travel, there has been a registered improvement in tourism visitors over the last year. “While we have not fully recovered, we are on a positive trend and surely by next year we should have reached the pre-COVID-19 levels. Therefore, through Initiatives like this, where we shall increase information and create more awareness, I believe that people will pick interest and be inspired to tour Uganda, he said.

The Chairman UWA Board of Trustees Dr Pantaleon Kasoma said that the commissioning of the Kampala Tourism Information Centre, marks yet another achievement for UWA adding that the Centre will offer information and act as a sale outlet of UWA products and services.

The Executive Director UWA Mr. Sam Mwandha expressed satisfaction that the centre is finally open to offer the much needed information to the public after being delayed by among others the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. He said that visitors will go to UWA offices out of choice and not necessity because all the information and services that UWA offers are at the centre. “This centre will offer all the services needed by tourists, we have dedicated staff who are going to be stationed here to attend to visitors so people who want

to come tour offices will do so out of choice, but not necessity as has been the case”, said Mr. Mwandha

The Executive Director KCCA Ms. Dorothy Kisaka noted the centre will act as the main authorized point of contact for tourists’ travel planning inquiries as well as a place for tourism industry players to plan. She said that tourism is intrinsically linked to how a city develops itself and provides more and better living conditions to its residents adding that Kampala should be top on the consideration list for planners in the global tourism industry.  “Kampala should be on the top consideration list for organisers of meetings, incentives and, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) as a leading destination” said Ms. Kisaka.

The event was attended by the Chief Executive Officer Uganda Tourism Board Ms. Lilly Ajarova, private sector representatives and UWA concessionaires among others.