The Association of Uganda Women in Tourism Trade (AUWOTT), a body representing women in the tourism and hospitality sector, has elected and inaugurated its new leadership.
At an Annual General Meeting held at Hotel Africana in Kampala, Jacqueline Kemirembe, the Managing Director of Platinum Tours and Travel, was elected as the new chairperson of AUWOTT while Dorothy Tukamushaba assumed the role of vice-chairperson.
Aisha Nabwanika, the founder and CEO of Ewaffe Cultural Village, assumed the role of Secretary General, with Gill Kyatuhaire taking charge as the treasurer.
Yogi Birigwa has been appointed as the senior board advisor, Daphine Nahwera and Damalie Lubega elected as board members.
In her inaugural address, Kemirembe emphasized the importance of expanding the association’s membership base to foster inclusivity and representation within the industry.
Sarah Kagingo, Vice Chairperson of the Board of Directors at the Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU), highlighted the significance of the shs812 billion Growth and Economic Opportunities for Women (GrOW) Project to Uganda and Women-owned businesses.
“PSFU through the GROW Project which we co-implement with the Government of the Republic of Uganda, is happy to handhold you to scale your businesses from micro to small, small to medium enterprises, onward to top African brands. Imagine a future as a big tourism business in Africa and exploit the opportunity that GROW provides ,” Kagingo said.
She added that GROW is the biggest World Bank funded project for women in sub-Sahara Africa, a collaboration between government and PSFU for women entrepreneurs.
Kagingo expressed appreciation to Dr. James Mulwana (RIP) and his contemporaries for founding PSFU which she said has grown to represent twelve sectors including tourism, manufacturing and creatives.
“Explore the linkages between tourism and the other sectors and partner to earn from the value,” Kagingo tasked the women in tourism.
She revealed that the PSFU board led by Humphrey Nzeyi is building toward a near future of non-collateralized patient credit.
Stephen Asiimwe, the Executive Director of PSFU, urged the association’s leadership to prioritize enhancing key business processes such as financial management, thereby ensuring the sustainability and success of their enterprises.
The former CEO of Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) urged the Tourism players to consider business diversification.
“Once beaten, twice shy. Learn from the experience of Covid-19 when tourism was interrupted,” Asiimwe said.
On her part, Rebecca Kukundakwe, the GROW Project Gender Specialist, who spoke extensively about the opportunities the project provides, revealed that an innovation grant would soon be unveiled.
The event was attended by a number of tourism players including Herbert Byaruhanga, the President of the Confederation of Uganda Tourism Associations (COUTA) who urged the new board to stick to clear corporate governance.
The PSFU Grow Project later hosted the esteemed ladies in tourism to a sumptuous cocktail.
