Col. Tom Butime the minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities has asked Ugandans to step up efforts of conserving Uganda’s natural tourism resources.
“There cannot be resources to bring back whatever the tourism sector loses.” He said
To appreciate the diverse contribution the sector is making towards enhancing national and household development, Colonel Butime asked communities around tourism sites.
A recent study by UBOS indicated that the tourism sector employees 1.5 million Ugandans compared to the 2019 estimates of 600,000.
This means that of 10 employed Ugandans at least two are in the tourism sector.
At Uganda Wildlife Research and Tourism Training institute-UWRTI in Kasese, The tourism minister speaks on student’s graduation function saying that Uganda’s tourism resources are largely natural based and therefore their existence depends on the behavior of the surrounding population.
He added saying that local communities should tap into community tourism.
“Government was committed to making UWRTI improve on its academic and research mandates with an increased budget allocation.” The minister said.
Importance of the government funding the institution.
- To improve on institution’s infrastructure
- To increase on Staffing.
- To improve on Training activities.
To secure or create jobs, the minister also asked the graduates to take advantage of the immense opportunities in the tourism sector.
Gideon Mujungu the Busongora South member of parliament asked government to consider introducing more courses at the Institute to meet the current job market demands.
“To support communities around natural resources, tap into the opportunities in the local tourism.” He added asking the government.
“The governing council developed the 2020-2025 strategic plan that requires financing of about 1.46 Billion for the activities therein and asked the minister to help them fast-track this budgetary allocation.” Sarah Nalule the UWRTI governing council chairperson said.
She also asked government to approve the new staffing structure to enable the research and training mandate of the Institute.
Robert Baluku UWRTI principle asked government to allocate special resources towards fencing the Institute, improving accommodation facilities of students, putting up a library and staff accommodation facilities.
“Government should link the Institute to other development partners within and abroad.” He added.
Despite interruptions brought about by COVID-19, Brenda Muhindo one of the graduates in Tourism Management at UWRTI hailed her teachers and parents who inspired her to finish her course.
At the Institute’s 11 graduation ceremony, over 100 students graduated with certificates and diploma’s in various tourism and research displines.
