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Vol 04
FREE COPY
Sustainable Tourism
Explore Uganda's African
Shaped lake-Nkugute.
Travel Trends for 2023:
Expectations and Projections.
The Conservation Journey
thus far (UWA@25).
Rethinking Travel.

3 Ekkula Magazine
Table
of
Contents 54
Business
Travel Trends
for 2023:
As a result, the corporate travel
industry in a traditional sense has
changed and is expected to continue
on this new trajectory.
24
There is an old saying that goes
like “the higher you go the cool-
er it becomes”
Tales of the Highland
People - Ndorobo
Disclaimer
Whereas all care has been
taken in the compilation
and preparation of the
Ekkula Pearl of Africa
Awards magazine, Ekkula
is not responsible for the
accuracy of the informa-
tion herein or any of the
consquences arising from
it. The views expressed
in this publication are not
of the chief editor nor of
Ekkula Awards.
28
40
36
The tourism industry is divided into
sectors that focus on specific areas of
travel, one of which is inbound tours.
Uganda Wildlife Authority has
been at the helm of managing
Uganda’s protected areas with
a mandate of protecting and
conserving the country’s wild-
life heritage.
Increasing Animal
Populations -
UWA@25
Top 5 Tips
to become a
Successful
inbound Tour
operator
Celebrating
70 years of
Entebbe Zoo
Contact
Location : Nommo Gallery - Nakasero Kampala (U)
Telephones: 0706 602 122, 0779 546 061, 0783 122 356
Website: www.ekkulatourismawards.org
Ekkula Tourism Awards Magazine

4 Ekkula Magazine
FOREWORD
STATE MINISTER’S FOREWORD
Fellow travel and tourism lovers, I warmly welcome you
to the fifth edition of the Ekkula Tourism Awards.
I recognize every single effort towards fronting Uganda’s
beauty. Furthermore I congratulate and thank the nomi-
nees, winners and stakeholders for generously putting in
their time and resources towards raising the bar higher
for the Ugandan Tourism Industry.
I would also like to specially recognize the strong pas-
sion exhibited by the organizers of this event, a youth
led initiative called Africa Tourism and Environment ini-
tiatives, (ATEI) who always make it a priority each year
to actively indulge us in appreciating Uganda for what it
truly is; A blessed and beautiful nation.
Earlier this year 2022, ATEI organized a climate change
driven marathon, which I had a chance to attend in
person. The marathon was organized with the aim of
encouraging the public to take part in environmental
conservation in order to curb the risks posed by cli-
mate change. The future of the tourism industry highly
depends on acts of environmental conservation.
It is not only fair but also of utmost importance that I
highlight just how much tourism means to us. Tourism
as an industry is one of Uganda’s leading foreign
exchange earner. As a nation, the sustainable growth of
the tourism industry bears profitability beyond its rep-
utation; from employment opportunities to financing
development and opening doors for investors.
The tourism period we celebrate tonight has seen the
industry smile so wide from victories won and projects
well executed as well as mourn for losses unfathomable.
The nation was covered in darkness when a pandemic
that led to a closure in the way of life as we knew it. For
two years, the nation battled COVID-19. Tourism among
other sectors was greatly affected by this pandemic
given the fact that most tourists enjoy Leisure tourism
which entails social gatherings and interactions.
Our theme this year, which is ‘Rethinking Tourism’ puts
us at a juxtaposition. What is the way forward towards
ensuring sustainability in this sector? I will leave that to
you!
The Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities has
always and still looks forward to supporting any private
sector initiative whose aim is to promote tourism. We
recognize the Ekkula Tourism Awards Initiative on the
ministry calendar of events and acknowledge it as an
initiative passionate about tourism promotion through
Recognizing, Awarding and subsequently Motivating
various players in the tourism industry. It is my pleasure
that this initiative will shine a light on all who have raised
our flag so high and transformed Uganda into a globally
coveted tourism destination.
Tonight marks the celebration of work well done and the
opening of a new chapter. A chapter in which we will net-
work, be proud of our enormously blessed country and
heritage, support each other where need be and double
our efforts. We look forward to forging ways of branding
Uganda as a top tourism destination.
For God and my Country,
Thank you.
Martin Mugarra
Bahinduka
State Minister Ministry of Tourism
Wildlife & Antiquities

5 Ekkula Magazine
COORDINATOR
T
he journey to the 5th edition of the Ekkula
Pearl of Africa Tourism awards has not been
an easy one. But why not make a toast to
finally being able to hold yet another event as we
celebrate and motivate key stake-holders in the tour-
ism sector.
I and the entire team of Ekkula Tourism Awards
send you our heartfelt love and greetings. We feel
indebted to the ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and
Antiquities, all its sister agencies, our sponsors and
partners plus the entire tourism fraternity; a family
we are so proud of being a part.
Each year, with the exception of the past two years
when the whole world was on tenterhooks terrorized
by an unfamiliar disease; the COVID-19 pandemic,
we had always held a celebration with the overall
agenda of shining light upon those that love Uganda
relentlessly and stand out in the tourism industry for
their selfless service.
Our ethos of transparency and equal opportunity
have always been the foundation upon which we
organize and preside over a process that recognizes
and awards outstanding tourism players.
This year Ekkula pearl of Africa tourism Awards
conducted her maiden regional capacity building
workshops in the different regions of Uganda that is
say Northern, Western, Eastern and Central where
key stakeholders in the tourism sector were engaged
on key areas concerning sustainable tourism, inclu-
sivity and client satisfaction. Issues surrounding
product development were put at the forefront and
we believe if these ideas are enacted, tourism is set
to bloom.
As the Ekkula family, our sub theme for the year,
“sustainable tourism and promotion of green initia-
tives” is in line with UN’s Sustainable Development
Goals (SDGs) target 8.9 aims, “by 2030, devise and
implement policies to promote sustainable tourism
that creates jobs and promotes local culture and
products.” The importance of sustainable tourism is
also highlighted in SDG target 12.
Therefore, we hereby extend our sincere gratitude
towards the stakeholders in this beautiful industry
and once again not forgetting our esteemed part-
ners and sponsors. Thank you for always believing
in us.
CEO’S MESSAGE
BISMAC MOSES AMUMPAIRE

6 Ekkula Magazine
OUR TEAM
Tourism Officer
Programs Officer
Digital Media Manager /
Content Creator
Operations Officer
Production Coordinator/
Writer Ekkula Magazine
Youth Coordinator ATEI
Ass. Graphics Designer
Finance & Brand Manager
Chief Graphics Designer
Patron Africa Tourism &
Environment Initiatives
Susan Muhwezi
P.R.O/ Communications
Innocent Nabaasa
Bosmick Ocaya
Ayebale Isaac
Business Development
Nsubuga Enock
Frank Semata
Wilson Turyakira
Namale Agnes Kenyana Sarah
Team Leader ATEI
Bismac Amumpaire
Moses
Kafuluma Peter
(Aramapix)
Kamara Immaculate
Karungi
Sales & Marketing
Marvin Blessed
Kashaija
Mwesigwa Gray’ce
(Smiles)
Rethinking Tourism &
Promotion of Green Initiatives
Nayesiga Samantha
Events Manager
THE AWESOME TEAM
Of Africa Tourism & Environment Initiatives (ATEI)

8 Ekkula Magazine
CHOCOLATE
SAFARIS
“Journeys to remember”
Ministry of Tourism
Wildlife & Antiqueties
Our Proud
Partners

9 Ekkula Magazine
Best Tourism Photographer Matias Mugisha
01.
Most Active Tourism Cluster Kigezi Tourism Cluster
02.
Finest Traditional Dance Troupe Kika Dance Toupe
03.
Best Private Wildlife Conservation Center Rhino Fund Ug-Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
04.
Most User Friendly Tourism Association Ass. Of Uganda Tour Operators
05.
Best Food Event Of The Year Rolex Festival
06.
Fashion Event Of The Year Abrayanz Style & Fashion Show
07.
Overall Best Tourism Event Nyege Nyege Festival
08.
Remarkable Digital Transporter Safe Boda
09.
Best Airline Of The Year -(Domestic) Aerolink
10.
Best Airline Of The Year-International (Economy.) Ethiopian Airlines
11.
Best Airline Of The Year-International (Business) Fly Emirates
12.
Exceptional Fast Foods Restaurant Café Javas
13.
Best Ugandan Cuisines Restaurant Shaka Zulu Restaurant
14.
Best Standard Service Hotel Wash And Wills Hotel Mbale
15.
Best Eco Safari Lodge Serenada Eco Resort
16.
Outstanding New Hotel Of The Year Skyz Hotel Naguru
17.
Best Service And Luxury Business Hotel
Tourism Ambassodor Of The Year
Speke Resort Munyonyo
Zari Hassan (Goodwill Ambassador)
18.
21.
Speacial Service Recognition
Tourism Personality Of The Year
Mr Stephen Assimwe
Hon Kiwanda Godfrey Suubi
19.
22.
Young Tourism Achiever
Lifetime Tourism Achiever
Nataliey Bitature (Protea Hotel/Skyz Hotel)
Mr Sudir Ruparelia
20.
23.
9 Ekkula Magazine
PREVIOUS WINNERS

12 Ekkula Magazine
ATEI PROFILE
The objectives of Africa Tourism and Environment
Initiatives (ATEI) are based on the background that
the relationship between tourism and the environ-
ment is of interdependence. The environment is
endowed with natural, cultural, historical, and cli-
mate scenery which represent the motivation for
tourists’ travels. The more varied and compound
the environment and natural resources are; the
more appealing and valuable they are for tourism
and the communities surrounding them.
Our Mission is to promote an increasing, informed
and engaged population to be in charge of sus-
tainable tourism, to protect the diversity of the
environment, nature and the natural systems upon
which all life depends.
We envision a culture of peaceful ecosystems
driven by both sustainable tourism and
environment protection initiatives based on
societies living in harmony with nature.
ATEI PROJECTS:
A
fricaTourism and Environment
Initiatives (ATEI) is an
indigenous youth and female
led organization that works towards
addressing Sustainable Eco-Tourism,
Environmental Protection, Climate
Change, Poverty, and Unemployment
in Uganda.
01. Ekkula Tourism Awards
02. Pet A Tree
03. Climate Change Awareness Marathon

13 Ekkula Magazine
Through the community approach, Pet a Tree suc-
cessfully coordinated the Greening Tooro campaign
with over 2145 trees planted during the Ekyooto Ha
Mpango Cultural Festival, in Fort portal - Kabarole
District. The tree planting campaign during this festi-
val was an incredible success in partnership with the
Ministry of Tourism and antiquities, UNDP, National
Forestry Authority, Tooro Kingdom, Rotary Clubs of
Kabarole through Mission Green, Face Project, and
Kyaniga Lodge all organized by Talent Africa Group.
Rukirabasaija Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi
Launched the tree planting in Tooro at the kingdom
farm orchard in Bugaki, where 250 fruit (mango) & 50
indigenous trees were planted.
Pet a Tree is an environment conservation sensi-
tization that intends to create a culture of love for
trees by personifying them as friends. The concept
involves planting new trees and adopting the already
existing mature ones as Pets for heritage.
ATEI whose ultimate goal is to promote sustainable
and eco-tourism, conserve and protect the environ-
ment, mitigate climate change and preserve wildlife
for future generations nourishes the relationship
between tourism and the environment as being
interdependent.
The ‘Pet a Tree’ initiative is the latest innovation that
is tipped to boost and mitigate the climate change
threat by planting, adopting and petting Indigenous
Trees, Threatened Trees and Trees of Cultural
Importance in Ugandan communities.
HOW IT WORKS.
The Pet a Tree campaign involves taking trees as
friends and pets right from adopting/planting them,
Baptizing / naming them, Nurturing/watering them,
celebrating their birthday, taking pictures of them
and sharing facts about them to the world. It also
involves adopting and conserving the already exist-
ing and mature trees of heritage as Pets.
When we consider trees as living organisms, then
that is when we start treating them as such. Even
when trees are different from mammals, birds and
insects, we can join efforts to start minding about
tree health and treat them more like pets by caring
for them, feeding, irrigating and pruning them.
As the ATEI fraternity, we plan to work with the
Communities and Schools using the Media as a vehi-
cle in order to make this campaign a success. We
shall collaborate with Uganda’s most influential fig-
ures including Religious Leaders, Cultural/Traditional
Leaders, Politicians, Teachers, Celebrities, Youths,
Children, Corporates, CEO’s, MD’s ,Journalists and
the population at large. ‘Pet a Tree’ is an initiative
that will benefit everyone both the present and next
generations. Pet a Tree is tipped to become one the
best Climate Change Mitigation initiatives with the
right partnerships on board.

EKKULA REGIONAL
CAPACITY BUILDING
WORKSHOPS
To spice things up a little, this years’ Ekkula Pearl
of Africa awards incorporated regional capacity
building workshops starting with the Eastern
region in Mbale where different stakeholders
were engaged on different aspects of product
development and client satisfaction.
14 Ekkula Magazine

The Ekkula Team accompanied by Miss
Tourism Rwenzori, Sarah Kenyana Rusoke
visited Ubora coffee society where a num-
ber of coffee barristers were being trained
on different aspects regarding coffee
tourism.
The team later visited Mbale zoo and
Cwmbale Eco lodge, where aspects of
sustainability and community social
responsibility were discussed and explored.
The Ekkula team was hosted by Mbale
court view hotel, and explored aspects of
accessible tourism and inclusion.
Different stakeholders in the tourism sec-
tor held topical discussions at Cassa
Safari Lodge in Mbale, where they each
explored the theme “Rethinking Tourism
and Sustainability”
The team explored the power of digital mar-
keting in promoting sustainable tourism,
branding and saving.
In the Northern region, the Ekkula team was
hosted by Bomah hotel, and held a work-
shop where different stakeholders in the
travel sector explored issues concerning
sustainable tourism, stressed consistency
in practices related to environmental con-
servation and creative innovation.
The first cohort of the Ekkula regional
capacity building workshops ended in
the Western region at Grand Holiday
International Hotel where
were emphasized as a way of achieving
sustainable tourism as we await the sec-
ond cohort in the coming year 2023 to be
wrapped with a national tourism workshop
to ensure sustainability and promotion of
green initiatives.
15 Ekkula Magazine
Product creation, Branding,
Digital marketing, Product development
and product literacy

16 Ekkula Magazine
Most of the worlds’ wonders we so much appreciate today,
started by being discovered and later documented. The dig-
ital era is taking over most sectors of life and we cannot
possibly overlook the depth of the contribution of nature
photography to the tourism sector.
Photography and videography are some of the activities
currently fascinating a number of youths in Uganda. But
when it comes to influencing the public to visit a given des-
tination, it takes more than just the ability to take pictures
of a place.
Photography is an art. Something that stirs up the urge to
take on a given challenge. Nature photography is a passion
of patriotism, as many travel photographers are self-em-
ployed individuals. Busingye Kagonyera commonly known as
Buskago a resident of Ntinda, Kampala Uganda, and a native
of Kabaale is one of the passionate nature photographers
the industry has. He is a videographer, content creator and
proprietor of Kago-media.
In an interview we had with him, Busingye shares his undying
passion for travel and nature photography. “I love everything
African!” he says as he affirms, he has no English name.
Busingye’s story as a photojournalist is not so different from
those of most young people pursuing photography and
journalism as a whole. “It is quite difficult to pull out your
camera and film anything in the capital city of Uganda,” he
says. “That’s why I always have to get out of the city to get
uninterrupted shots” he continues.
He would however love to document the capital city of
Uganda, as he thinks most people don’t actually appreciate
the country as much as they would. The reason why most
young entrepreneurs struggle to earn a living is because
they tend to let passion for what they do get into their way
of making money through their work, Busingye emphasizes
patience, and creativity. “The public will appreciate your work
but that won’t put food on your table!” he affirms.
“Start with simple things such as taking pictures for birth-
days of family and friends, big things will come your way”
he added.
“Inspiration is everywhere, it could be a dead leaf, or a
lonely puppy, how you put it out, defines the art in you!” he
continued. We had a chance to interview another nature pho-
tographer, Ssenyonyi Derrick renown for his record breaking
hit on the internet, ‘njagala vibe njagala vibe’ translating to
(give me vibe).
Ssenyonyis’ story in the field of nature photography is not so
different from the later, even though he highlights the chal-
lenges most nature photographers face while on duty.
“Our biggest challenge is the absence of a copyright law.”
Derrick bluntly states. “You see, we go through a lot to pro-
duce this content everybody marvels at, and at the end of
the day, someone uses your work without crediting you!” he
adds. According to Ssenyonyi, nature photographers haven’t
yet been recognized as they duly deserve for their efforts in
promoting sustainable tourism and conservation work.
NATURE PHOTOGRAPHY
The Role of Photography in Tourism
16 Ekkula Magazine

CULTURAL
TOURISM AT
A GLANCE
Cultural tourism is an outcome of
the desire to learn the type of civi-
lization that is upheld by a certain
group of people.
This desire is further extended by the ability of a
person or group of people to travel to places to
experience activities that authentically represent
the stories and the people of the past and the
present.
Culture forms the backbone of any society in the
world. It is the identity that people hold in high
esteem since it distinguishes them from any
other group of people in the world
Culture as an element of Tourism destination
plays a crucial role in attracting visitors both
domestic and international. The United Nation
World Tourism Organization (UNWTO 2020) pro-
jected that by 2050, Cultural Tourism Visitors will
outnumber those of Wildlife tourism.
As a major driver of tourism, culture and spe-
cifically new cultural tourism initiatives serve to
attract the modern travelers looking for expe-
riential tourism opportunities and interactive
experiences.
Cultural tourism experiences include architec-
tural and archaeological treasures, culinary
activities, festivals or events, historic or heritage
sites, monuments and landmarks, museums
and exhibitions, religious venues, temples and
churches.
Despite the Rich and Diverse Cultural experience,
with over fifty (50) tribes, Uganda still attracts low
visitor numbers for Cultural Tourism as reported
in the Ministry of Tourism Wildlife and Antiquities
(MTWA) Annual Tourism Sector Performance
Report 2019/2020. types
the fa
tive to
such
don’t
sive e
Trave
cultu
ries to
18 Ekkula Magazine

Cultural travelers stay longer at their destina-
tions and spend more money there than other
s of travelers. Culture tourism within tourism is one of
astest growing sub-sections of the industry, and crea-
ourism with it. These people want different experiences
h as engaging with local people and communities and
want to be just bystanders. They are looking for immer-
experiences which require some time.
elers say that trips are more memorable if they include a
ural activity where they learn something hence more sto-
to tell. This particular kind of experience allows them to
better understand previous generations and the
history of where certain group of people come
from, their values, norms and social wellbeing.
Cultural tourism spurs collaboration with
local organizations and the public to develop
sustainable economies, new business oppor-
tunities and strengthens local communities. It
promotes community unity by allowing people
to work together to enhance economic and cul-
tural development through distinct community
opportunities. Cultural tourism expands busi-
nesses and job opportunities by drawing on
cultural resources as a competitive advantage
in tourism markets. Cultural tourism is increas-
ingly engaged as a strategy for countries and
regions to safeguard traditional cultures, attract
talent, develop new cultural resources and
products, create creative clusters, and boost
the cultural and creative industries.
It protects natural and cultural resources, which
improve the quality of life for residents and
travelers who participate in the services and
attractions. Tourists are educated about the
history and traditions of the local community,
and in turn that community feels a stronger
cohesion and sense of pride in that cultural
history to guarding it with pride. Studies show
that travelers are more apt to visit places with a
strong community identity.
The Opportunities in Cultural Tourism are lim-
itless if one recognizes the benefits of partnerships and
packaging their cultural tourism product. The Government
ought to spur development of Cultural tourism through
coming up with a conclusive code of conduct, more effort
in conserving material and non-material Cultural heritage as
well as the formation of the cultural research centers for cul-
tural education, training, workshops and exhibitions.
Aisha Nabwanika
Founder
Ewaffe Cultural Village
ewaffeculturalvillage@gmail.com
19 Ekkula Magazine
Why Cultural Tourism:

22 Ekkula Magazine

23 Ekkula Magazine
Oh, how I love this city of mine, able to accomodate men
from different walks of life, upright and twisted, as long
as you choose what suits you best!
Garbage trenches right in front of the countless rentals,
and happy children playing where seems to be a road
but still is the front yard!

25 Ekkula Magazine

26 Ekkula Magazine
OUR SERVICES
Accomodation
Conference Hall
Restaurant
Bar
Located in the sublime surrounding of Mbarara,
about 500metres from Mbarara city center,
Grand Holiday Hotel boasts of exquisite hotel
services not only in Mbarara but to the whole
of western region.
G
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BOOK NOW
GrandHolidayIn1
Grand Holiday International Hotel www.grandhih.com
Lt.col.Ndahendekire Rd, after Tataitwe
0761-422899 I 0754-125425
Email.info@grandhih.com
Share a Grand
Experience
Share a Grand
Experience
G
H

27 Ekkula Magazine
TRAVEL POETRY
Oh papa, I have fallen in love with a nomad, one who
wears ngamouk in his feet, and walks the plains with
his herding stick upon his shoulders. He took me to the
manyatta where the youth perform the edong dance, oh,
how lovely the music they made was.
They jumped high up in the sky following the rhythm of
their handclaps as they sang along. Papa, you should
have seen him kiss the clouds! Lokwang jumped higher
than anyone else. His white ostrich feather resting upon
his hat, I guess he was happy to see me.
Oh, how I love Lokwang the warrior. One who wears a
red ostrich feather upon his hat. He has rustled cattle
from the turkana and itesots, Lokwang my love. One
who has chased and captured ostriches! I won’t be a
donkey in his home papa, He will use his oxen to till the
fields later he will plant millet and sorghum, Mine will be
to weed the farm.
When I collect our harvest papa, we will cook a meal
and share it with the rest of the village, lest I bring bad
luck for our household for not sharing with my people.
I will collect the rest of the harvest and keep it in a
granary outside our manyatta. I will build a strong man-
yatta, in his Nyalaar down in Nakapelimoru village, I will
cook for him and raise our children well, just the way
you have raised me.
He will give me, ngatok blood and milk, just so I can
become as strong as the rest of the ladies in the jie
community. He will have the elder ladies put ngageran
in my face, just so that my beauty is enhanced.
Lokwang warms my soul, he makes me watch the stars
and sometimes watch the moon. He tells me sweet
stories, like how his grandfather passed on the ivory
bracelet he wears on his arm, He is tasked to take care
of his family’s ngatok ever since then! Lokwang is a Nile
Hermite, one who travels from time to time searching
for greener pastures.
Papa see, he came armed to the teeth, his right hand
holding his ngatok tail as a shield, but he might as
well use it to celebrate once you give him my hand,
his left hand is holding his one-legged stool, He calls
it ekicolong.
Papa, Lokwang won’t leave without me, he will sit
patiently on his ekicolong until you say yes. when the
sun sets before I could be his, he will rest his head upon
his one-legged stool till dawn.
Extracted from the book; “Romance in the far North” ‘A
Karimojong affair’
Written by; Namale Agnes.
LOKWANG THE NOMAD

28 Ekkula Magazine
5 TIPS
TOP
5 TIPS
how TO BECOME A
SUCCESSFUL INBOUND
TOUR OPERATOR.

One of the beautiful things about tourism is that it enables
people from different social and cultural backgrounds to
travel to new places and be immersed in everything the des-
tination has to offer. It is even more special when visitors
have a local to show them the way.
The tourism industry is divided into sectors that focus on
specific areas of travel, one of which is inbound tours. The
main difference between inbound and outbound tour oper-
ators is that inbound operators provide local assistance for
tourists arriving in their country while outbound operators
help send tourists to visit other countries. Think of inbound
tour operators (ITO) as the ultimate host for visitors from
abroad.
As locals, ITO’s often have the advantage of working closely
with hotels, transportation, and entertainment providers so
that they can curate the perfect trip for their clients at the
most reasonable price.
Being an inbound tour operator can be very rewarding since
your clients are from all around the world, giving you an
opportunity to meet people from a variety of backgrounds.
But as with any area of the constantly evolving travel industry,
there are also challenges that come with the job.
To help you overcome these challenges, we have compiled
a list of the top 5 tips to become a successful inbound tour
operator.
1. Market your product to international travelers:
There is no doubt that the travel industry is competitive. Not
only are you competing against other tour operators but you
are also in competition with other countries. Putting your
country on the map as a travel destination for international
travelers is the first step to success.
Remember – there are a few major differences between
domestic and international travelers and these characteris-
tics will help shape your marketing strategy. For one, many
international travelers may not be familiar with your home
country and educating them about what your country has to
offer is a great way to pique their interest.
You will need to determine the best distribution channels to
reach new customers and invest in promoting your country
and business. Reaching an international market will often
mean higher marketing costs, but the long-term return on
investment will account for these added costs.
In order to market to international travelers, understanding
what sets them apart from domestic travelers is key. For
one thing, because international travelers do not necessarily
speak the language, they will be more reliant on tour opera-
tors to book every aspect of their stay and a good marketing
strategy should reflect those needs.
Inbound tourists are usually looking for complex itineraries
including a variety of activities, so be sure to make it clear that
you can provide what they are looking for. Inbound tourists
also need more practical things like commercial transport to
be arranged for them. In other words, these tourists want to
know that inbound tour operators are equipped to assist with
every aspect of the trip.
2. Know your stuff:
The tourism industry is vast so in order to stand out, you
really need to know your stuff. This includes being on top of
tourism trends so you know what your customers are looking
for.
Additionally, this means that if your country is known for a
specific attraction, destination, or cultural custom, you ought
to make yourself an expert in that field.
For example, if you live in a place that is a culinary destina-
tion, you should be well-versed in restaurants to eat in. If your
region is surrounded by beautiful nature, you’re going to want
to know the best ways to experience that nature, whether it
be hiking, jeep tours, or any other niche activity.
Even if your home country is not known for anything specific,
it is a good idea to educate yourself more deeply in one or
a few areas of the travel industry. If you decide luxury travel
is your area of expertise, you need to learn it like the back of
your hand.

29 Ekkula Magazine
Afterall, tourists hire inbound tour operators with the expec-
tation that they can provide them with knowledge and
experiences that they wouldn’t have been able to discover
otherwise.
3. Partner with quality people:
Nothing is more disappointing than reality not meeting
expectations. As an inbound tour operator, part of your
responsibility is ensuring that your itineraries live up to their
promises.
You can spend time building the most amazing tour, but
if you are not providing quality guides that know how to
engage with their audience, chances are the experience is
going to fall short.
As an inbound tour operator, you should trust that whatever
is included in the experience is going to be of the utmost
quality. The best way to do this is by partnering with excel-
lent travel agents, guides, hotels, restaurants, and anyone
else that might be involved in your customer’s stay.
Ensuring high-quality partnerships and tours will help
inbound tour operators stand out amongst the competition
and build a high level of customer satisfaction and loyalty.
4. Invest in inbound travel software:
Inbound tour operators have a lot on their plate; onboarding
new clients, building itineraries, working with local partners,
and rescheduling canceled flights, to name a few. Unless
you are superhuman, handling every element of the job can
get stressful.
Thankfully, today’s technology means there are ways to help
relieve some of that burden and inbound tour operator soft-
ware is one of them.
Inbound travel software makes it possible to automate
tasks like booking and marketing, so tour operators can put
their focus on providing the best possible vacations for their
customers. Gone are the days of spending endless hours
on organizational tasks. As an inbound tour operator, your
efforts are needed elsewhere.
Part of being the best inbound tour operator you can be is
learning to utilize the resources that are available to you.
With so many responsibilities, tools like inbound travel soft-
ware have become crucial for success in the field.
5. Love what you do and you’ll never work a day in your life:
Okay, that’s not exactly true – being an inbound tour opera-
tor is a lot of work any way you slice it. But if you have a true
passion for the job, even during the most stressful times,
you will be able to find the motivation to keep going.
Being an ITO means you will not only be meeting people
from all over the world, but you will also be giving them
a chance to experience your home country and all of the
beautiful things it has to offer.
Booking inbound tours can take a lot of time and effort, but
if you keep our tips in mind, you’ll be well on your way to
success.
Amumpaire Bismac Moses.
The writer is a Nature and Travel Journalist
& Tourism Promotions Consultant

30 Ekkula Magazine
There are many benefits to marine tourism, both
for the tourists themselves and for the environ-
ment. Marine tourism can provide a much-needed
boost to local economies, as well as help to con-
serve the world’s oceans and marine life.
Marine tourism is an important potential source
of revenue for the countries that border Lake
Victoria. The lake is the largest tropical freshwa-
ter lake in the world, and it is home to a diverse
array of fish, reptiles, mammals, and birds. In
recent years, there has been growing interest in
the potential of marine tourism on the lake, as
it offers a unique opportunity to see a variety of
wildlife up close.
Uganda is endowed with a number of other water
bodies ranging from the tiniest crater lakes to the
source of the longest river in the world, River Nile.
Many investors both local and foreign, have
embraced ventures in the virgin sector of marine
tourism in Uganda, introducing activities like
tubing, speed boating, ziplining and so on.
The potential for further growth of this sector
remains un-matched as Uganda offers a diversity
of marine vacancies.
However, marine tourism is not without its chal-
lenges. Lake Victoria is currently facing several
environmental challenges including pollution and
invasive species. There is also a lack of infra-
structure in many areas, which makes it difficult
for tourists to access the lake.
Despite these challenges, the potential of marine
tourism on Lake Victoria is undeniable. If the
environmental challenges can be addressed, the
lake could become a major destination for tour-
ists from all over the world.
There are a number of sustainable practices that
can be adopted to protect these water bodies
and ensure that it remains a thriving ecosystem.
By taking these measures, we can help to pre-
serve the beauty and biodiversity of marine
ventures in Uganda.
As we face the challenges of climate change
and sustainable development, it is more impor-
tant than ever to promote sustainable tourism
practices. Marine tourism in particular has the
potential to be a major contributor to the coun-
try’s economy.
To realize this potential, however, sustainable
practices must be put in place to protect the
lake’s fragile ecosystem. Ekkula - Pearl of Africa
Tourism Awards and Exhibition is proud to asso-
ciate with this campaign to rethink tourism.
These include;
• Promoting eco-friendly tourism
• Implementing regulations to monitor and con-
trol tourist activities
• Investing in alternative sources of income for
local communities.
• Minimizing the use of plastics and other
single-use items
• Creating protected areas for wildlife
• Promoting responsible fishing practices
Marine tourism is a broad term that can refer to any type of tour-
ist activity that takes place in the marine environment. This can
include activities such as swimming, diving, boating, fishing, and
whale watching. Marine tourism is a growing industry all over the
world as more and more people are looking for ways to enjoy the
world’s oceans and waterways.
The
Future of
Adventure
Tourism
Embracing Marine Tourism

32 Ekkula Magazine
Queen Elizabeth National Park
KIKORONGO SAFARI
LODGE
bookings@kikorongosafarilodge.com
+256 789 390 350 / +256 775 692 334
kikorongosafarilodge.com

33 Ekkula Magazine
Murchison Falls National Park
TILENGA SAFARI
LODGE
booking@tilengasafarilodge.com
+256 789 390 350 / +256703999688
tilengasafarilodge.com

34 Ekkula Magazine
Explore Uganda’s
African Shaped Lake
Legends and myths surround many of Uganda’s historical and cultural
sites. It could be that some things are too mind-blowing man cannot
help but speculate.
Locally referred to as Nkugute a Runyaruguru word which loosely
translates to swallow in the English language is Uganda’s African-
shaped Lake. For several decades, Lake Nkugute which is situated in
Bunyaruguru County in the newly created Rubirizi District has been a
source of odd stories. It is a place of mystery, with a history that goes
back to tales shared round campfires by the locals in the villages that
surround it.
Nkugute is a crater lake formed as a result of volcanic activity in the
Bunyaruguru volcanic field. The eruption in this field is more than
12,000years ago. This is evidenced by the existence of hot springs
within its vicinity such as Kitagata hot spring. The boundaries of the
Lake Nkugute seen from a hill that borders the lake look similar to the
map of Africa. The Lake is a popular destination for tourists
34 Ekkula Magazine

35 Ekkula Magazine
35 Ekkula Magazine

36 Ekkula Magazine
36 Ekkula Magazine
Uganda’s tourism is largely nature based and wild-
life plays an important role in the country’s tourism
industry.
Uganda Wildlife Authority has been at the helm of
managing Uganda’s protected areas with a mandate
of protecting and conserving the country’s wildlife
heritage.
Aware that tourism revenues contribute to conserva-
tion funding but supporting a number of conservation
activities, UWA has ensured that the population of
key animal species continue to grow through effec-
tive protection of the existing animals, reintroduction
and breeding of hitherto extinct species. UWA’s role
of conserving wildlife is a great contribution towards
sustainable tourism in Uganda.
During the last 25 years, UWA registered an increase
of wildlife populations for most animal species. For
instance, the mountain gorilla population increased
from 257 in 1994 to 459 individuals in 2018 in Bwindi
Impenetrable National Park, the elephant popula-
tion increased from about 1,900 in 1995 to over
7,975 individuals in 2020, buffaloes increased from
18,000 in 1995 to over 44,000 by 2020, the giraffe
population increased from an estimate of 250 indi-
viduals in 1995 to over 2,000 i n
2020. Burchell’s zebra pop-
ulation increased from an
estimated 3,200 in 1995
to over 17,000 in 2020.
The rhinos, declared extinct in Uganda as of 1995,
were re-introduced and now the population stands at
37 individuals. This increase in wildlife population is a
result of a combination of factors ranging from good
policies and increased capacity of UWA to provide
security for the wildlife.
A state of the art Biosafety Level Two laboratory
(BSL2) was constructed in Queen Elizabeth Protected
Area being the first of its kind in the institution. UWA
is now set to diagnose and confirm a range of dis-
eases including viral, bacterial, fungal and protozoa.
Current work going on at the lab involves the Marburg,
Kasekero and Sosuga viruses and pathogen discovery
of any bat borne pathogens. A Level One laboratory
(BSL1) was constructed in Murchison Falls Protected
Area to support wildlife disease management through
prevention, detection and response.
UWA has worked with communities neighboring pro-
tected areas to implement several human wildlife
conflict management and mitigation interventions over
the years. Currently 101 km of electric fence have been
constructed along the boundaries of Queen Elizabeth
and Murchison Falls National Parks. Five hundred
kilometers (500) of trenches to deter elephants from
crossing into community gardens are also operational.
To augment the trenches, more than 11,000 hives have
been procured and distributed to different commu-
nity groups. In many areas, the hives have been
installed alongside the trenches as additional
protection especially from elephants. The
INCREASING ANIMAL POPULATIONS
FOR SUSTAINABLE TOURISM

37 Ekkula Magazine
37 Ekkula Magazine
UWA@25
buzzing sound and stinging of the bees irritate and scare
away the elephants while the honey collected from the
hives is sold to generate income and improve commu-
nity livelihoods. Other interventions include growing of
high value, economically viable but unpalatable crops to
wildlife such as tea around Bwindi Impenetrable National
Park, planting of the thorny Mauritius hedge/fence, train-
ing and equipping Community Wildlife Scouts to assist
and complement UWA efforts in managing problem
animals. Over 800 scouts have been identified by local
leaders and work on a voluntary arrangement to support
UWA staff to deal with problem animals. These have
been helpful in reporting human wildlife conflict cases
by ensuring rapid response to community complaints.
UWA has developed capacity to carry out translocation
of wildlife within and outside its protected areas. In the
last 10 years, the UWA has translocated over 601 wild
animals of different species notably giraffes, impa-
las, zebras, Jackson’s hartebeests, giant forest hogs,
elands waterbucks and topis among others. The objec-
tives range from addressing human-wildlife conflicts,
conservation education, range expansion, species diver-
sification, tourism, biological management of expansive
vegetation especially Acacia hockii and breeding. By
2020, the translocated animals were estimated to have
multiplied to over 1,530 individuals.
Successful breeding is being undertaken for the three
flagship species. The southern white rhino population at
Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary (now 35 from a founder popula-
tion of only 06 individuals in 2006) and giraffes in Lake
Mburo, Kidepo and the southern bank of Murchison Falls
National Park have multiplied to 146 from the translo-
cated population of 66 individuals while the impalas in
Pian Upe and Katonga Wildlife Reserves are estimated
at 700 from 270 individuals translocated.
Fighting wildlife crime is one area where UWA has reg-
istered reasonable success by working closely with a
number of other government agencies to apprehend
people involved in wildlife crimes. In order to ensure that
Uganda is not used as a transit route by wildlife traffick-
ers, UWA operates a canine unit at Entebbe international
airport. The unit has been able to identify contraband
being trafficked through the airport which has led to the
apprehension and prosecution of those involved.
UWA appreciates all stakeholders and partners who
have provided support (expertise, resources, and others)
to enable the agency that was managing only 3 national
parks and a few game reserves at Independence to
now effectively manage 10 national parks, 12 wildlife
reserves and 5 community wildlife areas.
In order to enhance the experience
of the tourists in protected areas,
UWA has put in place good tourism
infrastructure including but not
limited to budget accommodation,
trails, walk boards, resting shel-
ters, visitor information centers
and regularly maintained roads in
the protected areas. Furthermore,
adopting modern technology by
going cashless and upgrading the
booking system have made clients
interface with UWA with ease and
convenience.
With plans to reintroduce rhinos
in Ajai Wildlife Reserve and other
parks, UWA hopes to improve
tourism in the West Nile region
and make Uganda a rhino country
again. With spread attractions in
various parts of the country. .
Recognizing the important role
that stakeholders play, UWA works closely with the
private sector through their umbrella body; Uganda
Tourism Association, to promoted protected areas as
tourist destinations. UWA participates in both local and
international exhibitions where destination Uganda and
protected areas in particular are promoted.
Therefore, UWA’s efforts in conserving Uganda’s wildlife
resources, ensuring a good visitor experience in pro-
tected areas and promoting protected areas as tourist
destinations have enhanced the realization of the sec-
tor mandate and contributed immensely to sustainable
tourism.
Conserving for Generations
From the office of the P.R.
UGANDA WILDLIFE AUTHORITIES.
(U.W.A)

38 Ekkula Magazine
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39 Ekkula Magazine
UGANDA’S LEADING SAFARI LODGE
NKURINGO BWINDI GORILLA LODGE
A RURAL PARADISE IN A POSTCARD-PERFECT LANDSCAPE
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LOCATION: KISORO, SOUTHWESTERN UGANDA
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge sits high up on a mountain ridge on the
southern edge of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest with stunning views across a
bounty of unspoilt landscape in Kisoro District, southwestern Uganda. The
safari lodge has eleven private garden cottages, three family-style villas,
and four luxurious forest suites sitting above the steamy forest swathe and
into the forested ridge slopes with distinctive elegance.
Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge recently unveiled its new splurge-worthy
Forest Suites setting a new level for infusing sustainability into modern safari
travel in a ravening rural landscape. If Uganda has yet to appeal to you for
gorilla trekking adventures, Nkuringo's Forest Suites could be the invite
you've been waiting for.
With floor-to-ceiling glass windows overlooking a stack of seemingly
boundless expanse of thick rolling hills covered in ranks of bare trees
unmarked by human hand, Nkuringo's Forest Suites really could be heaven.
Four 98-square-meter luxurious suites span above the gorilla-filled Bwindi
with distinctive elegance. Each suite is individually built with volcano stone
and crafted by local artisans with reusable material. The spacious
bathrooms are fitted with an elegant bathtub positioned for incredible views
over the steamy forest canopy: African decor, furniture, fireplace, and a
large outside sitting area. Guests get a private butler and exclusive room
service during their stay.
The visitor centre for gorilla trekking is just a 10-minute walk away from this
property. Even walking through the tree-hugged and flowery-gardened
property as a pale dawn grudgingly exposes the radiant productive
newborn world busting with fresh, wholesome air, a zip of insects, and a
fussy twitter of birds is renewing.
Recently, the lodge received the award for Uganda's Leading Safari Lodge
at the World Travel Awards.
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BOOKING OFFICE:
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Papyrus Guesthouse Premises
CONTACTS
OFFICE: +256 392 176327
MOBILE: +256 787 778424
EMAIL: bwindi@nkuringolodges.com

40 Ekkula Magazine
Seventy years ago, a young English princess ascended
to the throne and became Queen Elizabeth II. In the
same year, Entebbe Animal Sanctuary (zoo), Kazinga
National Park, and Kabalega Falls National Park in
Uganda were established.
28th September 2022 marked the launch of Entebbe
Zoo’s platinum jubilee festivities. Since 1952, the wild-
life centre has evolved from a traditional zoo to its
current status as the Uganda Wildlife Conservation
Education Centre in Entebbe. Today, the zoo has
evolved greatly with the changing times and attracts
almost 380,000 guests per year. It is 72 acres large;
and is the best zoo in East, West, and Central Africa, a
recognition bestowed on the facility by the Pan African
Association of Zoos and Aquaria (PAAZA) in 2018.
While growing in size, Uganda Wildlife Conservation
Education Centre (UWEC) has also become a trail-
blazer in animal welfare over the years and is proudly a
member of the World Association of Zoos and Aquaria
(WAZA) and International Zoo Educators (IZE). It is the
national designated CITES Wildlife Rescue Centre, and
has a mandate of rescue, and rehabilitation of injured,
confiscated, or orphaned wildlife and release as laid
down in the UWEC Act 2015. Over the years, it edu-
cates youngsters through school outreach and onsite
conservation education programs. It also partners
with zoos and conservation organizations globally,
equally committed to preserving species and their
habitats in the wild.
In 1952, the Games Department in Uganda’s colonial
administration led by Sir Andrew Cohen established
Entebbe Animal Sanctuary as a reception center for
wildlife casualties. These included the sick, injured,
orphaned, and animals confiscated from illegal trade.
Eight years later, the sanctuary changed its role to a
traditional zoo, hence the name Entebbe Zoo which
evokes strong memories among many Ugandans,
spanning decades. In the 60s, a number of non-indig-
enous species, including bears and tigers, were kept
as attractions.
CELEBRATING
OF ENTEBBE
ZOO
70

41 Ekkula Magazine
In May 1994, the UWEC Trust was founded to take over
the zoo primarily for Conservation Education purposes.
The Centre’s location is on the edge of Lake Victoria, the
second-largest freshwater body in the world. The lake,
a real treasure from an ecological point of view attrib-
uted to its rich vegetation and an astonishing plethora of
birds, butterflies, and other indigenous animals makes it
an attractive education hub, as well as a pleasant one for
those who visit from within Uganda and beyond borders.
While UWEC takes pride in its accomplishments, mile-
stones, and animal-focused efforts, much has been
undertaken in recent years to evolve and improve the
Centre’s facilities, and programs. The NRM government
paved the way for a shift from expatriate management
to domestic management and significant changes have
been made to improve animal care and welfare, habitats,
and infrastructure. With the founders’ vision, the Centre
is the nationally accredited, conservation and educa-
tion-focused Zoo everyone is proud of.
After 70 years, UWEC is set to build on the illustrious
journey of wildlife conservation education for sustaina-
ble development focused on the pursuit of excellence in
animal care and welfare, the rescue and rehabilitation of
animals in the wild, and the conservation of threatened
species everywhere. Education programs will expand,
and work to inspire youth in natural sciences to find solu-
tions to the growing climate challenge, the preservation
of nature, and the importance of wildlife.
?To mark the platinum Jubilee, there is a three–month
celebration that will culminate with a gala dinner at
Commonwealth Resort Munyonyo on 2nd December
2022. A veterinary camp is slated for the 20th to 23rd
of October at Entebbe Mayors Gardens, followed by a
sports gala on the 6th of November. In the same spirit, a
community conservation engagement will take place in
Hamukungu, Queen Elizabeth National Park on the 19th
of November. To explore the mandate, a conservation
Education conference is scheduled for 30th November
at Golf View Hotel Entebbe but prior is a Zoo open day
granting the general public free access to UWEC and an
exhibition. The special days will be filled with festivities
for all ages to enjoy.
As UWEC reflects on its history, it invites the community
to share their Entebbe Zoo memories, and Zoo visits this
year by tagging them on social media using #UWEC70.
Images and stories can be sent to the communications
office via pr@uwec.co.ug
Written by:
Eric Ntalo | PR

42 Ekkula Magazine
Uganda is with no doubt the Pearl of Africa! The country is
abundantly blessed with its breathtaking scenery and out-
standing features like the ever fresh water lake that’s the
largest on the continent, the source of the Nile, (with the
lakes rivers and swamps covering about 20% of the land
surface), the diverse wildlife with 8% of the world’s mammal
species, birds of all types and the serene weather.
Culturally, Uganda has some of the friendliest and welcom-
ing people in Africa covering 9 indigenous communities and
56 tribes. Its cultural heritage includes artistic expressions
for example language and literary arts which are portrayed
through (poetry, music, dance performance), drama, cultural
beliefs, traditions and values.
In regard to religion, the constitution provides for freedom
of religion. Uganda’s religious heritage is tripartite: indige-
nous religions, Islam, and Christianity. The Roman Catholic
covers (39.3%), Anglican (32%) and Muslim (13.7%). Other
religions include the Pentecostal (11.1%), Hinduism (1.0%),
Others (0.7%) and Baptist/no religion (0.5%)
For language, English has been Uganda’s only official lan-
guage since Independence until recently when Kiswahili
was made the country’s national language on July 5th, 2022.
The cabinet approved for it to be taught compulsorily in pri-
mary and secondary schools. Other languages like Luganda
(most spoken) and other Bantu languages like Nyoro (by the
Banyoro) and Tooro (by the Toro people) are also spoken.
UGANDA’S UNIQUENESS
PERTAINING TO ITS
CULTURE, HERITAGE
AND FOOD.
From the office of the P.R.
UGANDA TOURISM BOARD.(UTB)
42 Ekkula Magazine

43 Ekkula Magazine
When it comes to food, Ugandan cuisine is to die for. The
cuisine is influenced by English, Arab and Asian flavours.
From the domestically produced foods with matooke (boiled
or mashed green bananas) being the staple food, to the
famously known street foods like ‘the rolex’ (rolled eggs);
these dishes will leave your taste buds asking for more.
Most people eat two meals a day, lunch and dinner. A typi-
cal Ugandan breakfast consists of a cup of porridge or tea;
which is boiled milk or water usually spiced with fresh herbs
like cinnamon (mdalasini), ginger (tangawizi) or lemon grass
(Kisubi). This is usually accompanied with a snack (samosa,
chapatti, cake, etc.) or even katogoa mixture of ingredients
with the main key component of the dish being matooke and
a sauce (beef, beans, groundnuts or offal).
Lunch; usually has starch as a base, with sauces of beans,
meat or Luwombo stew (includes chicken, fish, beef steamed
in wrapped vegetables) to add flavour to it. The starch is
maize meal, sweet potatoes and cassava.
For dinner, some will prefer to take a cup of tea or food. Other
foods include white potatoes yams, pumpkins, and tomatoes.
Some fruits such as oranges, paw-paws (papaya), the juicy
sugarcanes and pineapples are also part of the delicacies.
Uganda exports various food stuffs including fish and fish
products, coffee and tea, among others. Agriculture being one
of the important sectors.
With Uganda’s rich and diverse culture, the tourism sector
continues to utilize different cultures and heritages that
the country is gifted with. Tourism in Uganda is focused
on Uganda’s landscape and wildlife with tourist attractions
like national game parks, game reserves, traditional sites,
and natural tropical forests. It is therefore a major driver of
employment, investment and foreign exchange.
Presently, the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities
and the Uganda Tourism Board maintain information along
with statistics pertaining to tourism for the country. There has
been increased investment in tourism, particularly in travel
accommodation and related facilities; this has enhanced
tourists’ experience in the country.
With the holiday season drawing closer, these are some of the
plenty destinations that are a ‘must go-to’. Queen Elizabeth
National Park. Queen Elizabeth is one of the most popular
tourist destinations in Africa as well as the most visited
national parks in Uganda. Located in Western Uganda cover-
ing four districts (Kasese, Kamwenge, Rukungiri and Rubirizi),
It prides in a great diversity of habitats that include: lakes,
savannah grasslands, forests and wetlands that serve as
home to the biggest variety of large mammals in the country.
The park is known for its abundant wildlife with 90 species of
mammals like the African Elephant and over 600 bird species
including the rare saddle-billed stork alongside other animal
species like the waterbuck, Nile crocodile and the mighty
king of the jungle, the lion. Covering an area of 1,978km2, the
park’s various attractions are worth the visit. The amazing
sights include the unique hot air balloon safari that begins
very early morning and will give you an aerial view of the park
as you admire its unique terrain and thousands of animals
and flora below you. There’s the bird watching that’s possi-
ble all year round, the Tree Climbing Lions found in Ishasha
sector, and the Kazinga Channel that connects Lakes Albert
and Gorge which is sailed on using the the Kazinga boat ride.
Lake Bunyonyi
Another epic destination is the beautiful Lake Bunyonyi
(“Place of many little birds”) a fresh water vessel thought to
be the second deepest lake in Africa after Lake Tanganyika.
It is located in south-western Uganda between Kisoro and
Kabale district and is close to the border with Rwanda near
(the Bwindi National Park).Many tourists and travellers who
undertake a Gorilla trekking safari in Uganda experience rest
and relax at the beautiful lake as they enjoy probably the best
scenery in the entire world, involve themselves into various
cultural and community activities as well as birding and canoe
rides. Other activities to engage in are zip lining, mountain bik-
ing, swimming in the lake and nature walks. All this and more
can be done with more sights around the various islands.
Murchison falls National Park Locally known as Kabalega
National Park, the park is situated at the end of the Albertine
Rift valley and is Uganda’s oldest and largest Safari park,
found in Masindi District. Murchison falls National Park has
got a lot to offer in terms of activities that will spice up your
tour. The Murchison falls are the main attraction in the park.
The River Nile falls into a gorge that is about 7metres wide at
the point of the falls and later falls 45metres high to form a
big splashing fog creating the magnificent Murchison falls.
It is definitely an amazing experience. Other activities at the
falls include the game drives, boat cruise, and special activi-
ties like hiking the top of the falls and chimpanzee tracking in
the popularly known Budongo forest.
There’s a lot more sights and sounds to explore in Uganda, as
portrayed in the recently launched new destination Uganda
brand; “Explore Uganda “aimed at promoting Uganda, as
a competitive tourism destination.During the announce-
ment that took place at the Uganda Tourism Board pavilion,
Ochieng Bradford, deputy chief executive officer of the board,
encouraged tourists to explore the natural, adventure, leisure,
business and cultural attractions that Uganda has to offer.

44 Ekkula Magazine
CULINARY TOURISM UGANDA TO PARTICIPATE IN THE AFRICA
VEGAN RESTAURANT WEEK
Uganda Vegan society will be host-
ing the second Vegan Restaurant
Week since the launch of the annual
event in November 2021, the beauty
about the 2nd edition of Uganda
Vegan Restaurant week is that this
time it’s going be a continental
event!
Yap, you got it right, several countries
across Africa will be participating
in the world’s first Africa Vegan
Restaurant week remotely but will
jointly promote the event online using
#AfricaVeganRestaurantWeek.
Definitely this is another opportunity
to showcase Uganda’s food through
culinary tourism, over 20 vegan and
non-vegan restaurants in Uganda
will be participating.
This continental event was informed
by the high growth of animal agri-
culture in Africa which has adverse
effects on the environment, human
health and the wellbeing of animals.
This increased demand for animals
and animal products has largely
contributed to the cruelty of animals,
increased spread of non-communi-
cable diseases and destruction of
the environment to clear land for
animal grazing.
The nomadic lifestyle of some
African tribes like the Tureg in
North Africa, Masai in Kenya and
Karamajongs in Uganda which
required smaller herds, also began
to dwindle as meat production
became a lucrative industry and
changed the eating patterns of peo-
ple on the continent.
It should be noted that diet-change
awareness campaigns are largely
absent across Africa and the
Africa Vegan Restaurant Week will
be the first of its kind diet change
campaign.
The Africa Vegan restaurant week
that’s scheduled for 23 -29th January
2023 will increase awareness and
bring an amazing vegan food tast-
ing experience for both vegans and
people not familiar with Vegan food
in Africa; additionally, the restau-
rant week will increase visibility of
Plant Based alternatives in Africa
while creating opportunities for dis-
tribution of PB products produced
in Africa more widely available and
accessible.
Nabaasa Innocent
Activist/Journalist

45 Ekkula Magazine
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Dinausaur park, Tours and excursions,
Conference centre, Wildlife education centre
SERVICES AVAILABLE:
500 Metres from Bumboi Centre, Mbale City
+256 782 274713, +256 781 785030
info@cwmbaleecolodge.com, www.cwmbaleecolodge.com

46 Ekkula Magazine
46 Ekkula Magazine
The definition of veganism clearly states “veganism: a way of living which seeks
to exclude as far possible and practical, all forms of exploitation of and cruelty to
animals for food, clothing or any other purpose.” Many vegans have relapses in
the beginning, it’s perfectly normal (it’s the same as coming off nicotine, alcohol,
caffeine etc… basically anything.
M
ost of us Vegans are animal lovers by nature (with
the exception of people who purely do it because it’s
healthier than not being vegan). And when it comes
to dream travel experiences, most of us want to see animals
in the wild and many of us have grown up with fantasies of
going on an African Safari. But is it vegan to go on safari?
And if it is, how can you make sure you get to eat vegan on
your safari.
As a young traveler, I searched for some vegan friendly safari
trips and there I landed on a trip being
organized by Chocolate Safaris a tour
and Travel Company in Uganda. 30+
degrees every day, wildlife all round
and no stress from a big city or peo-
ple. Complete wilderness. It sounded
PERFECT! Especially with the added
bonus that the place we were going
to visit had a reputation for their gor-
geous eco lodge and vegan food.
A bus ride form Kampala through
Murchison falls national park to
Tilenga Safari Lodge is a marvel tale.
Confusing as it was for all the vegan
travelers aboard, on how we were
going to turn a blind eye on the several
stop overs along major towns with
road roasts that often make the expe-
rience of any traveler exciting or were
we going to go hungry or just eat spinach
and beans on this trip?
Alas, little did we know that Chocolate Safaris had us covered.
First each traveler was offered a hamper with a variety of
snacks, water and natural fruit juice each to keep us company
till our lunch break meal would be unleashed to us as we had
been briefed to look forward to a unique treat. Long before
we knew it, it was lunch break we had a stopover and each
of us was being served a plate that completely had vegan
portions that included; 4 vegetable skewers, boiled salted
Irish, greens and a bowl of mixed berry fruits. The succulent
taste of the vegetable barbeque left me mouthwatering as
I could not believe that I was actually enjoying what in the
local dialect would be described as, “omusitto gwa biringa-
nya, enyanya, entula and green pepper” there I was holding
my nicely colorful vegetable skewer with a smile and content.
Welcome to Tilenga an un-spoilt wilderness area offering
people from all around the world the opportunity to immerse
themselves in deep wilderness, away from the extremely busy
people and cities. People can bear witness to an eco-system
complete with flora and fauna coexisting in relative undis-
turbed harmony. Experiencing this first hand, the value of our
natural world and our need to protect it becomes abundantly
clear. Sitting around the campfire at night brought us back
to human life in its simplest form, evoking a great sense of
peace and fitting in something that can seem quite lost in
our modern lives. This is a deeply emotional experience that
awakens ones soul. You have time for reflection and objectiv-
ity before returning home to the hustle and bustle of modern
life.
It was an all-round safari with amazing
sights and sounds, an experience of 5 star
vegan food, wonderful accommodation,
exceptional guides and hosts. Tilenga
Safari Lodge was great too, spoiling us
with an array of vegan delights. We even
had fresh bread and a couple of delicious
cakes and fruits not forgetting the plant
based meals. The food was exceptional
and the Chef was an inspiration to us.
How he managed to cook such amazing
vegan food was beyond me! He made us
look forward to every meal and we were
never disappointed.
Vegan Ugandan Safari Tips
? So you’ve decided to go on a vegan safari in Uganda for the
food, here are two tips:
Ask beforehand: Many safaris in Uganda can easily be made
vegan because there is a lot accidentally vegan Ugandan
foods. Just make sure you ask beforehand so that your travel
agent may have time to prepare for you and your ethical tum.
? Take snacks: even after asking beforehand, I’d still recom-
mend taking your own snacks. Maybe you’re like me and
have “dog in a manager syndrome’’ – you will see the other
members of the safari eating a savoury snack and you will
want a savoury snack too. So take a vegan one. Maybe you
see food as fuel and will want to really bulk up at lunch. You
know your tum better than I do, take snacks for them.
Written by
Immaculate Karungi Kamara
Uganda Vegan Society
Vegans
in the
Wild

47 Ekkula Magazine
OUR SERVICES
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Wildlife safaris
Cultural tours
Mountain climbing
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Photography tours
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+256752-884041
+256772-221883
www.fravansafaris.com
info@fravansafaris.com
fravansafaris@gmail.com
Plot 75, Lower Jomayi Estate,
Sseguku Katale, Entebbe Road,
P.O. Box 36448, Kampala, Uganda
Contact us!
Leave
the ordinary
Behind

48 Ekkula Magazine
48 Ekkula Magazine
In the middle of a global lockdown,
a story was birthed, a story of hope,
determination, talent, perseverance,
adventure, and patriotism for the Pearl
of Africa. The Pearl of Africa Star
Search, birthed dreams while creating
the most unforgettable adventurous
experiences for not one but tens of
Ugandan Youth, who had no idea what
tomorrow held, but responded to a
national call.
The Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife &
Antiquities, together with partners put
together a unique talent search dubbed
“THE PEARL OF AFRICA TALENT
SEARCH ‘’(POAStar). Unlike Talent
Searches aired on TV before, true to
its name, POAstar not only looked for
vocal talent but also showcased the
beauty of Uganda, The Pearl of Africa
through a weekly 10 episode reality TV
show that aired on NBS TV.
Events Gurus, Talent Africa Group were
given the national mandate to manage
and produce the show, with a focus on
tourism. The project judges were Cindy
Sanyu, Joanita Kawalya, Navio and
Moses Bismack Amumpaire.
The Pearl of Africa Star Search was
launched to the public in April 2021,
with a public call for submissions. With
strict curfew rules there was no way of
physically auditioning thousands of tal-
ent in one place. Interested parties were
called to send video submissions that
garnered more than 2,000+ submis-
sions from different regions of Uganda.
From these, the top 150 were selected
by Industry experts, from which pool
the judges picked the top 50 that were
introduced to the public for the first
physical audition and public vote. From
this pool, the judges and public picked
the top 20 who would be apart of the
reality TV tourism musical show. The
judges’ criteria married musical talent
and knowledge of Ugandan tourism.
The top 20 were grouped into 4 hud-
dles of 5 each, representing a region in
Uganda.
The first huddle to hit the road were
the wise men from the East, includ-
ing Allan Watikha aka Trigger, Ibrahim
Balunywa aka Ebrahim Soul’O, Bikaba
Eric, Muwanguzi Patricia and Kasirye
Uthman with Judge Cindy as mentor
and coach. The group lodged at the
magnificent Wash & Wills Hotel and
took part in adventurous challenges
including Hiking Mountain Elgon to Sipi,
Visits to cultural groups in Bugisu and
Sebei and the adrenaline rush Abseiling
challenge that got some contestants
saying what they though would be their
final prayer. The group challenge was
writing and recording a song in 24 hours
which birthed the beautiful “Take me
there” featuring The POAStar Eastern
Contestants, Cindy & Byg Ben Sukuya.
Their elimination show was held at the
magnificent Rafiki Sipi Lodge.
The Talent Search then took the road to
the glorified Northern Uganda, through
the plains, rivers and falls. They inter-
faced with the Acholi locals, visited
a cultural troupe at the Taks Centre,
feasted on tasty malakwang and boo
and got trained in the Lakaraka and
Dingi Dingi dances. Project Mentor,
Susan Kerunen guided the stars through
their song writing challenge, breeding
a masterpiece dubbed “Oh Uganda”
that merges languages from Northern
Uganda featuring the Regional stars –
Pearl Ucanda, Agami Tony, Opakworot
David, Onono Eric and Francis Moro.
Their adventure took them to the mag-
nificent Aruu falls and the opulent
Boma Hotel.
Not even the pandemic could stop the
determined TAG studio production team
and judges in their quest for the next
big star. After the North, they crossed
straight to Uganda’s Tourism capital,
Fort Portal. The Western Stars included
Lowenna Barungi, Joan Abaasa, Bruce
Dickson, Brian Alidekki and Mark
Musasiizi who were mentored by the
legendary, Judge Joanita Kawalya.
THE PEARL OF
AFRICA STAR SEARCH
REDEFINING TOURISM
THROUGH MUSIC

49 Ekkula Magazine
Judge Joanita challenged them to create a tourism folk song
in 24 hours and the outcome was “Mwijje”- that invited peo-
ple from far and wide to visit the pearl of Africa in Kinyankole,
Kiswahili, Rutooro,Rukiga, Luganda and English. The contest-
ants lodged at Kalya courts and The Elephants Plains Lodge.
They toured Kyaninga diary and safari lodge, the Queen
Elizabeth National Park, Kibaale National Game Park and
enjoyed a sundowner boat cruise aboard MV Kazinga across
the Kazinga channel. Judge Bismark challenged them with a
tourism trivia that schooled a lot of viewers too.
The best was saved for last because what’s a Ugandan party
without the Central region. The contestants chose to kick off
with their musical challenge and they wrote and recorded
their group song, “Kampala Kyekyo” in a record four hours
before they could visit the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre
in Entebbe. After their visit to the Zoo, the contestants
cruised aboard MV Natalie to the beautiful Kalangala Islands.
They slept at the Brovad Sands Hotel where their elimination
show was also hosted. The Central Contestants included
Carsten Yesuanjagala, Wandeka Maggie, Sandra Nansambu,
Mirembe Tracy and Joel Kisakye, mentored by Judge Navio
and Lydia Jasmine. On their return to Kampala, they visited
the Royal Palace in Mengo(O’Lubiri), Amin’s torture chambers
and had a weekend city tour.
After the four regions were covered, some contestants had
to be dropped as the rest progress to the next project stages.
The next stage of Top 12 included Lowenna Barungi, Bruce
Dickson, Brian Alidekki, Mirembe Tracy, Yesuanjagala
Carsten, Nansambu Sandra, Ucanda Pearl, Onono Eric, Agami
Tony, Ibrahim Balunywa, Muwanguzai Patricia and Alan
Watikha. They underwent an intensified month’s bootcamp,
in lessons in music and tourism. Their musical sessions fea-
tures mentors like Allan Tonix, Ykee Benda, Spice Diana, Lydia
Jazmine, John Kay the Writer,Navio and Apass who shared
about their personal musical journeys and interacted with
the contestants, guiding them through their projects. During
this month, the stars visited Jinja, lodging at Kipling lodge
and the Nile Village Hotel where they also got weekend spa
treats to relieve them of the competition tension as they gear
up for final stages. They visited the source of the Nile, The
Bridge, Griffin falls park for the 6 stage zipline and enjoyed
horse-back riding at the Nile Horseback safaris. Here, they
recorded a song of Hope to spread a message of hope and
caution during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The contestants then hit the road, destination- Far Western
Uganda. Nobody makes a trip to Western Uganda without a
stop by the Equator monument and the stars respected the
norm. They made another stop at the Igongo Cultural Centre
and visited the museum where they were taught about the
history of Ankole. The next morning began with an exciting
early-am Gorilla walk into the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. At
this point, their musical objective was to team up, represent
a tourism icon in Uganda, and deliver a duo performance to
the judges for the second-to-last elimination round.
After the elimination of four, the Top 8 contestants had a
bootcamp in Kampala at the Kampala Forest Cottages with
day sessions at TAG studios in Kololo. They underwent a
tourism workshop with representatives from UWA, UWEC,
MoTWA and UTB with trivia questions to test the knowledge
acquired from their tours around Uganda. Their musical chal-
lenge at this stage was to perform covers of songs sung by
legendary Ugandan musicians from which the judges and
public chose the POAStar finalists.
The final 6 contestants moved to the luxurious Speke Resort
Munyonyo for their final dance and singing rehearsals and
musical mentorship as they geared for the grand finale, with
each hopeful of getting the 60,000,000 grand prize. MTN
Pulse treated them to a sports and fashion challenge to calm
their nerves but also encourage them to think out of the box
where the winners who would be announced at the Grand
finale would win a total of 5 Million Shillings.
Prepped and ready for the grand prize, the stars including
Ibrahim Balunywa, Tonny Agami, Bruce Dickson, Nansambu
Sandra, Carsten Yesuanjagala and Mirembe Tracy had their
final tourism challenge in front of renown Tourism person-
alities including the UTB CEO- Ms Lily Ajarova, MoTWA
Commissioner- Mr. Vivian Lyazi, Great Lakes Safaris CEO-
Mr. Amos Wekesa, Marketing Manager UWA – Mr. Paul
Ninsiima and UWEC PRO – Mr. Eric Ntalo. As the final tourism
challenge, the results contributed to the stars’ final score, in
deciding who’ll take the grand prize home and also serve as
Tourism Ambassador.
The grand finale show was nothing short of grand! The
Victoria Ball room at Speke Resort Munyonyo was trans-
formed into an international musical stage in the live final
performance and prize rewarding ceremony. All the stars
impressed but there could only be one winner.
Bruce Dickson was announced as the Tourism Ambassador
for Western Uganda, AgamiTony for the North,Tracy Mirembe
for Central and Ibrahim Balunywa for the East. Carsten
Yesuanjagala won the MTN Pulse challenge and Sandra
Nansambu was the overall Pearl of Africa Star Search.
It took the project partners, directors, Judges, producers,
technical and support team 3 months of sleepless nights,
long drives, mentorship and challenging adventures and a lot
of hard work to find the star, who not only walked away with
a 60 Million Grand Prize inclusive of a recording and talent
managerial deal and the prestigious role of Uganda’s tourism
ambassador.
The project’s recap and music videos are available on
YouTube – Pearl of Africa Star Search.
The Pearl Of Africa Star Search was produced by Talent
Africa in partnership with The Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife
& Antiquities, Uganda Wildlife Education Centre, Uganda
Wildlife Authority, Uganda Tourism Board, MTN, COCA
COLA, NBS, TALENT AFRICA, RADIANT, GRAPHIC SYSTEMS,
House of DJS, Uganda Talent Management Association, TAG
STUDIOS, Uganda Musicians Association AND Uganda - The
Pearl Of Africa.
49 Ekkula Magazine

50 Ekkula Magazine
I SAW THINGS AT
NYEGE NYEGE
Nyege Nyege Festival 2022. I saw
things. Again. I couldn’t go on Thursday
(first day of the fete). I am not that per-
son anymore. I had capitalism to attend
to. So, my friends and I turned the noses
of our cars and headed to Itanda Falls,
Jinja, on a bright Saturday morning.
First, the road! Jesus! I’ve never been
here. I was tasked to lead the convoy of
my friends’ cars to a place I know noth-
ing about. I drove. We drove. Passed
waving villagers and shanty towns
abandoned at the bottom chain of civ-
ilisation. We arrived.
I saw a marketplace at the entrance of
the festival. Everyone is trying to sell
you something. A rolex. A ticket. Boots.
Sunglasses. More sunglasses. A park-
ing slot. And lies. Everyone’s trying to
earn a shilling. I saw a melting pot of
the economy. Money
exchanging hands. I
saw thousands of
swaying, wigged-
out happy campers.
Washing their hang-
overed faces at
the patio of their
little tents. Others
carrying a dank of
sleeping bags, relo-
cating to a fancier
tree. A smell of nos-
talgia hangs heavy
here.
I saw happy festival
goers. People were
like sleepwalking
commuters. Utterly
slaughtered, clapped and mullered. A
tream of humanity snaked through the
festival looking for a noisier place, a lost
friend, a potential lover, a bite or a refill.
I saw lost friends & made merry. I saw
hundreds of vendors (inside the festi-
val) pushing commerce, selling stuff.
Anything goes in here. You turn around
and there is something to buy.
I saw people dance. Even when it driz-
zled, I saw people stomp the mud. It
was like an open audition of a dance
competition. I saw a former speaker
of parliament. I saw a barrage of musi-
cians. I saw all races. All faces. I saw all
fashion styles. I saw all types of ‘intox-
icants’. But most importantly, I saw
happiness. Hidden joy. A sea of human-
ity bundled under a green canopy, here
for one thing- to eat part. I saw a festival
triumph over a blizzard of mockery and
a storm of ridicule.
Written by:
Nimusiima Edward.
Creative writer/copy writer.
NYEGE NYEGE

52 Ekkula Magazine
Digital
Marketing
Summary: Whether it’s a hotel, motel, or vacation rental property,
you need to market your property online. It’s not enough to just have
a website anymore - you need an online presence.
The hospitality industry is one of the most competitive industries in
the world. If you want to succeed, you need to make sure your prop-
erty is visible to potential guests online.
How to Increase Your Online Presence as a Hospitality Business
There are a number of ways to
increase your online presence and
reach more guests. You can start
by making sure your website is opti-
mized for search engines and that
you have an active social media
presence. You can also create and
distribute content that showcases
your property in a positive light.
If you want to learn more about how
to increase your online presence as a
hospitality business, read on!
Why is an online presence important
for hospitality businesses?
Hospitality businesses have long rec-
ognized the importance of an online
presence. In the past, this generally
meant having a website where poten-
tial guests could learn more about
the business and what it had to offer.
However, in recent years, the land-
scape has changed dramatically and
the importance of an online presence
has only grown.
Today, potential guests are more
likely than ever to use the internet
to research hospitality businesses
before making a decision. They will
read online reviews, compare prices,
and look at photos to get a sense of
what a business is like. This means
that if you want to attract guests, it’s
imperative to have a strong online
presence.
There are a number of ways to build
an online presence for a hospital-
ity business. In addition to having a
website, it’s important to be active on
social media and to have a listing on
popular travel websites.
What are some ways to increase your
online presence?
There are many ways to increase
your online presence. Some of the
most common include;

- Creating and maintaining a strong
social media presence
blog presence
presence on relevant forums
presence on relevant directories and
listings
- Creating informative and shareable
content
- Participating in online forums and
discussion groups
- Creating and maintaining an online
portfolio
- Creating a strong personal
branding
- Doing guest blogging and writing
articles for other websites

53 Ekkula Magazine
Each of these methods can be effective in its own right, but
when used together, they can have an even greater impact.
By creating and maintaining a strong online presence across
multiple platforms, you can reach a wider audience and build
a more trusted and authoritative brand.
Why is a strong social media strategy important?
In today’s fast-paced world, it’s more important than ever to
have a strong social media presence. A strong social media
strategy can help you reach a wide audience, build brand
awareness, and even generate leads and sales. In fact, stud-
ies have shown that companies with a strong social media
presence see a significant boost in their business.
There are a number of reasons why social media is so impor-
tant. For one, it’s a great way to connect with your customers
and create a connection with your brand. It’s also a great
way to stay top of mind with your audience and keep them
updated on what’s going on with your company. Additionally,
social media is a great way to drive traffic to your website
and generate leads.
If you are not already using social media to market your
business, now is the time to start.
What are some other tips for increasing your online
presence?
There are many things you can do to increase your online
presence. Here are a few ideas:
1. Use social media platforms to your advantage. Make
sure you are active on the platforms your target audience
is using.
2. Make sure your website is optimized for search engines.
This will help make sure you appear higher in search results.
Hotel Software solutions like the HotelOnline Channel
Manager will help connect you to over 120 OTAs or travel
booking sites, optimize your profiles on those sites, and
make sure your property ranks in the top 10.
3. Use content marketing to produce high-quality content
that will help you attract attention and build authority.
4. Make sure you are active in online communities related
to your industry. This will help create connections and build
relationships. Use these online communities like travel
forums to create compelling content that will drive traffic to
your website.
5. Use online tools to track your progress and measure your
success. This will help you see what is working and make
necessary adjustments. Once again the HotelOnline Channel
Manager will help you track your online numbers. You can
also Use pay-per-click advertising to place your website at
the top of search results.
Conclusion
It’s clear that in today’s digital age, a strong online presence
is vital for any hospitality business. Fortunately, there are a
number of ways to increase your online presence. By creat-
ing a website, optimizing your content for search engines,
and using social media, you can reach more potential guests
than ever before. So what are you waiting for? Start growing
your business today!
About the writer
Enock Nsubuga is a travel content creator and marketer. His
work has focused on helping travel businesses grow their
revenues by leveraging the power of compelling content.
Enock is the co-founder of Brand Storytelling Media, a con-
tent marketing agency that helps businesses tell their stories
in a way that engages and converts their target audiences.
He also works with HotelOnline - helping hotels grow their
online revenues and streamline property operations.

54 Ekkula Magazine
Business Travel
Trends for 2023:
Both the business and leisure travel
industries faced serious changes dur-
ing the pandemic. But while leisure
travel is back and stronger than ever,
the face of business travel seems to
be forever changed.
The shift to remote work and virtual
meetings made it clear that the 9-to-5
office model was becoming one of the
past. Stemming from concerns about
employee safety, this idea has grown
into an understanding that tech-
nology can be used to allow
more flexibility to employees
when it comes to working hours
both in and out of the office.
As a result, the corporate travel
industry in a traditional sense
has changed and is expected
to continue on this new trajec-
tory. While fewer people may be
taking trips for strictly work pur-
poses, the ability to work from
anywhere is undoubtedly shap-
ing the future of business
travel.
1. Everyone, everywhere, all at once
If there is one thing the pandemic
taught us, it is that if there is a will, there
is a way – companies of all shapes and
sizes powered through, despite the ina-
bility to meet face-to-face for almost
two years. And much of this is thanks
to technology allowing for connec-
tivity regardless of physical location.
Meetings were held on Zoom instead
of in person, and emails and other
modes of
digital communication kept people
connected.
The ability to work from anywhere
allowed employees to discover a new
meaning of work-life balance, which
has extended long past the initial days
of the pandemic. As a result, many
companies have chosen to continue
to allow their employees to work from
anywhere.
The notion that anyone can be
anywhere regardless of physical dis-
tance, combined with the need
to make up for lost time
(otherwise known as
“revenge travel”) has
created a new
kind of trip that
c o m b i n e s
business
a n d
pleas-
ure.
Expectations and Projections.

55 Ekkula Magazine
This new era of travel is marked by
people who are traveling for fun and
working remotely along the way. In
fact, 82% of airline executives reported
that they expect the combination of
business and leisure travel to be more
prominent than ever in a post-pan-
demic world.
While what we once considered a
“business trip” may not be as common
anymore, people are taking more trips
for longer periods of time because
they now have the ability to work from
anywhere.
2. Workcation expectations
The shift to “bleisure” travel presents
a new set of expectations and needs
from the travel industry. For one, these
business travelers are looking for effi-
ciency and personalization when it
comes to booking their trips. They
want the ability to plan trips quickly and
ensure that they will have everything
they need during their travels to enable
both work and relaxation.
Bleisure travelers need to know in
advance that they will have access to
things that make remote work pos-
sible, like access to WiFi throughout
their trip. Automated travel systems
allow travelers to find the best located
and highest reviewed places that can
accommodate their needs with just
a few clicks. Booking trips via this
technology makes the process more
seamless than ever before, so travelers
can focus on more pressing matters.
The industry is paying attention to
these needs. One survey reported
that 92% of travel agencies want the
support of new technologies to help
enhance the customer experience.
With the help of this new technology,
the corporate travel industry is evolving
into a system that can adapt to these
changes in business travel.
3. Slow return to corporate travel
While the gap between business and
leisure travel is much more narrow
than it once was, strictly corporate
travel has still fallen short of overall
expectations, with only 17% of travel
managers expecting a full recovery by
the end of 2022. There are a number
of factors pointing to reasons why. For
one, travel costs are higher than ever
and many companies are not able to
foot the bill. That being said, there is
no replacement for face-to-face con-
tact, so corporate events and retreats
are likely to continue to take place, at
least for larger companies.
Conferences and events are still sparse
in 2022, with 57% of live events still tak-
ing place online, with low attendance
and high costs to blame. They are likely
to return in the future, however, due to
the invaluable networking and partner-
ship components.
Another factor is a higher aware-
ness of sustainability priorities. More
than 400 companies signed the 2021
Davos World Economic Forum pledge
to decarbonize by 2050. As a result, a
projected 10% less is likely to be spent
on corporate travel by these companies
by 2025.
The current climate certainly presents a
new set of challenges to the corporate
travel industry. Some of these changes
may affect long-term trends, while oth-
ers will be more short-lived. That being
said, there are also many new opportu-
nities for travel providers to grow.
It is possible to adapt to this new
world of corporate travel through the
implementation of new technologies
and understanding the changes in the
industry. This new technology makes
it possible for travelers of all kinds to
personalize travel more easily than ever
before. The new era of travel is marked
by complicated travelers looking for
simple solutions.
If you’re looking to stay ahead of the
curve and on top of the trends, hav-
ing the right travel software is vital.
Travel Booster provides you the agil-
ity you need to do just that, wrapped
inside innovative travel technology
that will also boost your efficiency and
profitability.
Amumpaire Bismac Moses.
The writer is a Nature and Travel
Journalist, Tourism Promotions
Consultant
Email: bismac111@gmail.com

56 Ekkula Magazine
Uganda’s flourishing tourism sector is in part
due to its growing film industry. Newcomers
to the country are mostly unaware of this,
so we will be delving into how movies and
filmmakers are having a positive effect on
tourism in Uganda.
Uganda is frequently praised as one of the
most picturesque countries in the world, and
its tourism has been increasing at a steady
rate in recent years.
This growth can be attributed to the coun-
try’s active promotion of itself as a premier
destination for international travellers.
One of the most crucial elements of this
promotional campaign has been the use of
filmmakers to bolster tourism. In particular,
the award-winning film “Explore Uganda-The
Pearl of Africa” has played a major role in
Uganda’s tourism growth recently.
The film won a Grand Prix under the “Tourism
Africa” category for 2022 as well as two
times gold awards- for “Tourist Destination
Country in Africa” and another for Tourist
Destination Country Internationally. The film
has been screened at various international
film festivals and has helped Uganda’s tour-
ism industry tremendously.
In this article, we will be delving into how
movies and filmmakers are having a positive
effect on tourism in Uganda.
What is film tourism?
Film tourism, also known as location tour-
ism or movie tourism, is a type of tourism
that involves traveling to locations where
films or television shows have been shot.
This can include visiting the sets of popular
movies or TV shows, attending film festivals,
or taking part in movie-themed tours.
Film tourism has become increasingly popu-
lar in recent years, as more and more people
are interested in seeing the places where
their favorite movies and TV shows were
filmed. This type of tourism can provide a
unique experience for film and TV fans, as
well as generate economic benefits for the
areas where film tourism takes place.
If you are interested in film tourism, there are
a few things you should keep in mind. First,
film locations can sometimes be difficult to
find. Second, film sets are often not open
to the public, so you will need to do some
research before you make
that trip.
The benefits of film tourism
Film tourism is an increas-
ingly popular phenomenon all
over the world. And Uganda
is no exception. The country
has seen a boom in film tour-
ism in recent years, thanks
to its beautiful landscape,
history and its many unique
attractions.
Film tourism can have a big
impact on a country’s econ-
omy. It can create jobs and
generate income for busi-
nesses, while also helping
to promote the country as a
tourist destination. Uganda has already seen
the benefits of film tourism, with a number of
films and TV shows being shot in the country
in recent years.
Film tourism has had a positive impact on
Uganda’s economy. It is estimated that film
productions inject millions of dollars into the
country each year. This money goes towards
local businesses and services, which helps
to create jobs and boost the economy. Film
tourism has also helped to promote Uganda
as a tourist destination. Thanks to films
such as The Last King of Scotland, Queen
of Katwe, and many wildlife documentaries,
Uganda has been featured in a positive light,
which has encouraged more people to visit
the country.
Overall, film tourism has had a positive
impact on Uganda.
Uganda as a film tourism destination
Uganda is quickly becoming a popular des-
tination for film tourism. The country offers
a diverse range of locations, from the snow-
capped Rwenzori Mountains to the idyllic
Lake Victoria. Uganda is also home to a
number of endangered species, making it a
perfect destination for wildlife filmmakers.
Ugandan film tourism is still in its early
stages, but the country has already hosted
a number of successful film productions.
In recent years, Uganda has been used as a
filming location for a number of Hollywood
blockbusters, including “The Last King
of Scotland”, “Queen of Katwe” and “The
African Queen”, film by John Huston – 1951.
With its diverse range of locations and its
abundance of wildlife, Uganda is fast becom-
ing a popular destination for film tourism.
Film/Filmmakers and their impact on tour-
ism in Uganda
Uganda, often referred to as the Pearl of
Africa, is a country that is blessed with
an abundance of natural beauty. From its
verdant landscapes to its diverse wildlife,
Uganda is a place that has something for
everyone. In recent years, the country has
seen a surge in tourism, thanks in part to the
success of films like; “Explore Uganda - The
Pearl of Africa and filmmakers like Loukman
Ali.
The Release of the film; Explore Uganda-The
Pearl of Africa
On January 21, 2022, the Uganda Tourism
Board (the Statutory Organization responsi-
ble for promoting and popularizing Uganda)
premiered “Explore Uganda – The Pearl of
Africa” - an ecstatic film showcasing the raw
beauty, mouth-watering foods, warm and
friendly people, and extraordinary experi-
ences that can only be had in Uganda (fondly
referred as the “Pearl of Africa”). This film
has helped to increase awareness of Uganda
as a travel destination and has contributed
to a significant increase in tourism since its
release.
The “Explore Uganda-The Pearl of Africa”
film won a Grand Prix in the “Tourism Africa”
category for 2022. It also won two Gold
awards- for “Tourist Destination Country in
Africa” and another for Tourist Destination
Country Internationally.
The Impact of Filmmakers in
Boosting Tourism in Uganda
Film
Tourism:

57 Ekkula Magazine
Filmmaker - Loukman Ali
Loukman Ali (born 1 June 1990), who is credited for creating “Explore
Uganda – The Pearl of Africa,” is a Ugandan cinematographer, screen-
writer, film director, producer and Graphic Designer. His directorial
debut was Monday, followed by The Bad Mexican, which was released
in 2017. This film was nominated in various festivals, such as the
Amakula International film festival. His other major films include The
Girl in a Yellow Jumper, The Blind Date and Sixteen Rounds. He is
known to often work with actor Michael Wawuyo Jr. and filmmaker
Usama Mukwaya.
Film breakthrough
(2014–2020): The Girl in the Yellow Jumper
This is the first feature film for Loukman Ali. It was supposed to pre-
miere on April 15, 2020, but was postponed because of COVID-19.
The Girl in the Yellow Jumper is a Ugandan mystery-thriller produced
and directed by Loukman Ali. It follows a man who escapes a hostage
situation only to find himself in deeper trouble.
On December 26, 2021, Loukman Ali’s film ‘The Girl in the Yellow
Jumper’ became the first Ugandan film to be featured on Netflix.
The way forward for Uganda’s film tourism industry
The film tourism industry in Uganda has great potential. The country
has a rich culture and diverse landscape that make it a perfect des-
tination for film productions. Uganda is also home to a number of
world-class film facilities, which can support the growing demand for
film tourism.
However, the film tourism industry in Uganda is still in its early stages.
There are a number of challenges that need to be addressed in order
to make the country a more attractive destination for film productions.
These challenges include a lack of infrastructure, limited access to
financing, and a lack of skilled personnel.
Despite these challenges, the potential for Uganda’s film tourism
industry is significant. With the right policies and investments in
place, the country has the potential to become a leading destination
for film productions from all over the world.
The film tourism has had a positive impact on Uganda’s economy. The
country has seen an uptick in tourism ever since the filming of several
high-profile movies. This has been a boon for the country’s economy,
and it has also helped to raise its profile on the global stage.
The government of Uganda has implemented initiatives such as the
Uganda Film Festival to attract more filmmakers to the country and
continue growing the tourism industry.
Writen by
Enock Nsubuga
Email: ensubuga22@gmail.com

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