RUBIRIZI, UGANDA – Leaders in Rubirizi District have called on the government to enhance tourism security measures, a move believed to protect visitors and improve livelihoods for local communities.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The appeal was made by the Rubirizi Resident District Commissioner (RDC), Ahamedi Kinene, this week during a meeting with district officials and stakeholders.
The engagement was held in preparation for a workshop with the Ministry of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development aimed at exploring Rubirizi’s tourism potential.
Giving his remarks, RDC Kinene called on the government to boost security and infrastructure investment to draw more visitors to the district.
He emphasized that community engagement, better hotel standards, improved road networks, and enhanced site facilities remain essential for driving the region’s tourism growth.
The Head of the Economics and Tourism Department at the Ministry of Finance, Nickodemus Nayebare, explained that the meeting was intended to foster collaboration with the Rubirizi local government on developing the area’s tourism potential.
He mentioned that discussions focused on creating a comprehensive tourism plan, engaging communities to improve livelihoods near wildlife areas, and promoting infrastructure development within parks.
Meanwhile, the District Tourism Officer, Didas Magezi Mucunguzi, emphasized the importance of community involvement in agriculture-based tourism, including activities such as coffee farming and tree planting.
He encouraged both stakeholders and the community to tap into local tourism opportunities, utilizing available resources to generate income and improve their livelihoods.
Uganda has seen significant tourism growth in recent years, with tourist arrivals increasing to 1.37 million in 2024, up from 1.27 million in 2023.
This growth has contributed to the sector’s economic significance, with tourism now accounting for 5.7% of GDP, supporting over 803,000 jobs, and generating 16% of exports.
The government has launched the National Tourism Policy 2025, a comprehensive plan to boost marketing, safety, and service standards in a bid to hit new targets of $4 billion in earnings and 2.4 million annual visitors within five years.
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