The Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife, and Antiquities has unveiled the Explore Busoga domestic tourism campaign, scheduled to take place from February 13 to 18. This initiative is an integral part of the broader Explore Uganda domestic tourism series.
The official launch of the campaign took place at Emin Pasha Hotel in Kampala, where the state minister for Tourism, Wildlife, and Antiquities, Martin Mugarra Bahinduka, emphasized the campaign’s significance in showcasing both the hidden treasures and well-known attractions of Busoga.
Explore Busoga is the fifth campaign of the Explore Uganda series, following successful campaigns; Explore Elgon, Explore West, Explore North, and Explore Bunyoro. Minister Mugarra highlighted Busoga’s allure, encompassing attractions such as the Source of the Nile, numerous waterfalls, museums, agro-tourism facilities, and cultural sites. Despite these sites being frequented by thousands of tourists over the years, Mugarra emphasized the ever-renewing experience each trip brings.
Mugarra emphasized the broader goals of domestic tourism campaigns, like raising awareness about existing attractions, shedding light on hidden gems, rejuvenating regional tourism clusters, and cultivating new itineraries.
He underscored the campaign’s impact on fostering interest among citizens to explore their own country. While acknowledging that immediate benefits from the campaign may be limited, Mugarra emphasized the long-term advantages and commended Ugandans for actively participating in previous Explore Uganda campaigns. He noted that the active involvement has significantly increased awareness of the diverse tourism offerings in the country, leading to a surge in domestic tourism.
The Lord Mayor of Jinja City, Peter Kasolo, expressed Jinja’s readiness to host travelers, dubbing it the adventure capital of East Africa. Activities such as zip-lining, bungee jumping, quad biking, and water rafting are set to enthrall visitors.
Hellen Namutamba, the Busoga Kingdom Tourism Minister, urged all Ugandans to participate in the campaign, emphasizing the plethora of attractions, both adventurous and cultural, that Busoga has to offer.