BusinessTravel Guide
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UGANDA
Emerging From the Shadows
U G A N D A
UGANDA Uganda is growing in popularity as a tourist destination, with thanks to support from its Government and a vision for the future from the Uganda Hotel Owners Association Writer: Phoebe Calver | Project Manager: Ryan Gray
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ganda is beginning to emerge from the shadows of its long history, reaching out to improve upon the former glory it held as the ‘pearl of Africa’. The country is privy to spectacular landscapes, excellent wildlife watching opportunities and welcoming locals, considering the relatively small size of the county it packs a punch against its larger neighbours. Home to the Rwenzoris - Africa’s tallest mountain range - and the source of the Nile, you will be spoilt for choice when it comes to finding ways to spend your free time. Although the climate is technically equatorial, it is not as uniform as you would expect and therefore it is advisable to pack for a wide range of weather possibilities. You will find that Southern Uganda is more often than not more wet, with rain spreading widely throughout the year. On the
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FACTS & FIGURES
Languages: English, Luganda Area: 236,040 square kilometres Population (2016): 41,490,000 GDP (2017): $88,610 billion Currency: Ugandan shilling (UGX) Time zone: UTC +3 Dialling code: +256 Internet TLD: .ug Climate: Equatorial
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AFRICA north-side this is more predictable, with rain predominantly falling from March to June and throughout November and December. Uganda is both accessible and an affordable option in Africa, making it the perfect destination for business travel. Although the country still has a way to go when it comes to the standards set by slightly more mature destinations such as Kenya and South Africa, it has an authenticity that makes it both an exciting and enjoyable place to spend your trip. Since 2016 when travelling to Uganda you are required to apply for an online visa prior to your visit to the country, and a single entry tourist visa will last between 30 and 90 days and will cost $50. Upon entrance to the country you will find that English is widely spoken at varying levels of fluency, as well as lingua franca, making it easy to navigate your way around during your trip.
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U G A N D A
The Business End IN RECENT YEARS Uganda has been gaining a lot of attention both regionally and internationally, with thanks to its growing tourism sector. Jean Byamugisha, Executive Director at the Uganda Hotel Owners Association explains the meteoric rise of Uganda’s tourism industry: “In recent years we have won accolades from international press such as CNN and Lonely Planet magazine. We have been very lucky to have the backing of an incredibly supportive Government that is heavily invested in road infrastructure to destination areas, as well as tight security within the country that has boosted our tourism industry onto its upward trajectory.” With such renewed interest in Uganda and its tourism industry, the country is positioning itself as the new MICE destination in Africa. At present Kampala is home to major international big name brand hotels such as the Hilton, Marriot, Radisson and it has massively increased its appeal for both the business travel
industry as a whole and MICE. Alongside the growth of its tourism industry and more specifically business tourism, the county has also experienced consistent economic growth in recent years. The country has largely untapped oil & gas reserves as well as a sizable agriculture industry, with coffee as its main export.
A tree-climbing lioness in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
The bottom of the Murchison Falls waterfall
However, with the growing tourism sector in the country, the agriculture sector is on course to be surpassed by the services sector which accounted for more than half of the country’s GDP last year.
Kampala, Uganda’s capital
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Mountain gorilla in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
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Plot 11, Nambi Road Manyago, Entebbe T: +256 751 123450, +256 750 999 555 E: reservation@saffroneal.com directorsaffroneal@saffroneal.com
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U G A N D A
The Uganda Hotel Owners Association THE UGANDA HOTEL Owners Association (UHOA) was founded by Dr. BM Kibirige in May, 2000 when he came to the realisation that hotel owners in Uganda needed to come together and create an atmosphere conducive to business. Until that point in time hotels had been largely ignored by the Government, despite the fact that they had always been the biggest investors within the tourism sector. 18 years later, UHOA now boasts more than 500 member hotels, is well recognised by the Government of Uganda and holds a seat on the Uganda Tourism Board, Uganda Wildlife Authority and Private sector Foundation. Jean Byamugisha, Executive Director of the Uganda Hotel Owners Association tells us about her vision for the future, and the Association’s support for the tourism industry as a whole.
Africa Outlook (AfO): Since inception, how has Uganda Hotel Association developed and progressed in terms of its key objectives and the messages it tries to get across? Jean Byamugisha (JB): Since May, 2000, UHOA has grown in leaps and bounds and expanded its vision for the future. When UHOA was first created, it was purely limited to the needs of the hotel sector. Today UHOA is an advocate for the Ugandan tourism industry because we realise that for the hotels to grow, the entire tourism industry must grow as well. So today, much of our key objectives and messages are for the overall development of the tourism sector in Uganda with key emphasis on the investment and growth of the
Murchison Fall National Park
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hotel sector. UHOA is also passionate about the capacity building and general welfare of the hotel staff. As the biggest employers in the tourism industry, we aim to create a precedent and lead by example in terms of staff welfare. AfO: Taking a more general industry stance, how would you evaluate the tourism sector in Uganda now compared to its condition when the Association began? JB: The easiest way I can explain this is the comparison of night and day; 18 years ago, tourism was largely ignored both by the Government and the private sector. Not only did we receive minimum funding from the Government, tourism was also housed under the Ministry of Trade receiving a lot less attention. Today, Tourism has a standalone Ministry, the Ministry of
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Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities and receives quite considerable funding to support most of the marketing activities for the sector. Tourism is now the biggest foreign exchange earner for Uganda as well as the second biggest employer second only to agriculture. Tourism has also been recognised by Government as one of the three sectors that will drive Uganda’s economy into the middle income status. AfO: What is in store for Uganda over the course of 2018 and beyond to continue the good work already commenced and to enhance its reputation as a tourism and business travel hub further in the future? JB: We are putting plans in place for a lot more lobbying and advocacy. Uganda will continue to lobby and advocate for the tourism sector especially at the international forums in regards to positioning Uganda as
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a MICE destination. UHOA is very passionate about ensuring that we have much better occupancy rates for the hotels in 2018 so we shall be carrying out many domestic tourism campaigns to make sure we have more Ugandans and foreign residents visiting the country. UHOA will also be participating in many international events to meet international hotel investors and encourage them to come and set up hotels within the country so as to facilitate the MICE market of travellers.
AfO: Finally, looking forward, if we were to speak again in three-five years’ time, what progress and development would you hope and expect to be able to report back, both in regards to the Uganda Hotel Association as an entity, and in regards to the business travel industry in Uganda as a whole? JB: I would imagine that in threefive years time UHOA will have more than 1,000 member hotels. UHOA will be the strongest private sector association in Uganda and the biggest advocate for the tourism industry. In the next five years, I really hope to see Uganda as one of the biggest MICE destinations in Africa. We should be able to compete with giants like South Africa in this regard.
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U G A N D A
Out & About
Take the road less travelled...
Lake Bunyonyi in Uganda, Africa
UGANDA IS ESPECIALLY recognisable for the array of spectacular wildlife that can be found across its equally incredible landscapes, both of which have served as a major driver of employment and investment. With tourism providing such a major driver for growth in the country, it is also being used to fight poverty. You will notice a large number of specific tourism companies during your time in the country, often selling traditional products such as arts and crafts and traditional attire. Some of the most popular tourist attractions in Uganda are found in the form of game reserves, historical sites and natural tropical forests with endless surprises to be discovered. When exploring in your spare time, you will discover that Uganda truly has a prime location within the African Great Lakes region, with a number of water bodies that are increasingly popular spots for tourists. Due to its extensive bodies of water, boating is an increasingly popular pastime that is commonly carried out on Lake Victoria, Lake Mburo, Lake Bunyonyi, Kazinga Channel and the River Nile. This offers the perfect opportunity to see the sites and explore the local nature, including the likelihood of spotting buffaloes, hippos, crocodiles and birds. As well as a spectacular array of activities just waiting to be discovered, Uganda will also surprise you with the level of its hospitality. Depending on the requirements of your stay, there is something for everyone and particularly the ever-increasingly popular business tourism industry.
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U G A N D A
Outlook Recommends “Tourism has also been recognised by Government as one of the three sectors that will drive Uganda’s economy into the middle income status.” - Uganda Hotel Owners Association
HOTELS
NATIONAL PARKS
Kampala Serena Hotel
Source of the Nile Hotel Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Sheraton Kampala
Speke Resort Munyonyo
Premiere Boutique Hotel
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Murchison Falls National Park
Kidepo Valley National Park
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oyager African Safaris will give you an inside out tour of Uganda, best described by Sir Winston Churchill as the “Pearl of Africa”.
Our personalized services will leave you feeling as though you are a part of a typical African extended family!
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U G A N D A
Outlook Recommends MUSEUMS
RESTAURANTS
Uganda Museum
WILDLIFE SANCTUARIES
Bamboo Nest Batwa Cultural Heritage
Paradise Grill Restaurant
Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary Uganda Wildlife Education Centre Budongo Forest Reserve RETAIL
The Acacia Mall Victoria Mall Social Innovation Museum
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7 Hills Revolving Restaurant
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Freedom City Mall
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+256 790 911 318
www.sourceofthenilehotel.com +256 702 515 602
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Marianah Tourist Hotel Services Tour Activities • Board Riding • Bird Watching • Nature Walk • Camping Facilities • Accomodation (Self Contained Rooms) • Restaurant • Bar services • A 100 people seater shelter tent • Gardens for parties and recreation
The House of Love was born after some members of the Yesu Ahuriire Community went to South Korea for the 1st Holy Spirt Conference of World Youth in July 2006. The experience enhanced, encourages and became a ground for action on which the initiators of the House of Love children’s village decided to take up the challenge of setting up a home; as a call to bring God’s love to the sick with AIDS, poor, needy and abandoned children and youth. Email: houseofloveafrica@googlemail.com Website: https://sites.google.com/site/houseofloveafrica/contact-us
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with us nature is at your disposal
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U G A N D A
Transport Links
UGANDA IS SURPRISINGLY nimble when it comes to transportation and finding your way around the country, with the most popular method being through booking with one of the many companies available to transport you from meeting to meeting in your own car or bus depending on the size of your party. If you were to choose this manner of transportation, you are likely to save copious amounts of time that could have been wasted in looking for where to go and arranging transportation. Of course there are many other
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options available. In Kampala in particular - as well as other destinations - the boda-boda is a very good way to get from place to place. Perhaps more recognisable as the mode of transport for the adventurous type, these small moped type vehicles with cushions on the back are a cheap form of transport often used by locals. Although it will provide you with an authentic experience, do take caution if you choose to try this as they are often involved in accidents. Depending on the area in which you are staying, you will find that
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Uganda has a good public bus system that runs on fixed routes in the form of minibuses or commuter vans. You will find that both forms are relatively cheap and efficient when running between the major centres. The roads you are met with in Uganda are in good condition in comparison to many located in subSaharan Africa, although they have deteriorated in patches. Many of the minor roads are made of hard-packed soil and although predominantly fine, if there have been heavy rains then they can quickly become treacherous.
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Katwe Tourism Information centre (KATIC) P.O.Box 99, Katwe – Kasese – Uganda Tel: +256 752 618 265 +256 753 393 450 +256 752 397 354 Email: katic.org@gmail.com Wek: www.katic.info
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AFRICA
UPENDO
AFRICAN ART & CRAFTS Be Proud Of Your Culture – Be Proud Of Your World
KATIK is a community tourism enterprise formed in 2005 with the aim of conserving the surrounding natural resources for sustainable tourism with the intent of enhancing economic and conservation benefits for the community. TOURIST ATTRACTIONS: • Lake Katwe - learn about the skill of salt mining as well as a chance to directly interact with the salt miners • Lake Munyanyange - a saline lake is just outside the national park’s boundaries but belongs to Kazinga Wildlife Sanctuary WHAT WE OFFER • Bird Watching - Katik offers experienced bird guides to take you around Lake Munyanyange, • Village Walk - The tour to Katwe Salt Lake gives a unique insight into the fascinating, yet tough process of salt mining which provides an alternative income for the community UPENDO is an association based on love for humanity. UPENDO Art & Craft wants to ensure that the vulnerable social group members become self sustaining and has engaged its member into income generating activities through discovering their hidden treasures / potentials and use them to improve their livelihood.
www.katwe-council.com
Amajambere Iwacu Community Camp Providing eco-friendly accommodation at the foothills of Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Amajambere Iwacu Community Camp P.O Box 280, Kisoro, Uganda Phone, Manager: +256-774-954956 / +256-782-306973 Email: info@amajamberecamp.com
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A beautiful home far away from home
Exquisite accommodation for gorilla loving tourists including bird watching, local community tours in the beautiful mountainous villages of western Uganda
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Landmark Attractions
Murchison Falls National Park
“Murchison Falls Conservation Area ( MFCA ) comprises of Murchison Falls National Park, Bugungu and Karuma Falls Wildlife Reserves. This is where the Nile explodes through a narrow gorge and cascades down to become a placid river whose banks are thronged with hippos and crocodiles, waterbucks and buffaloes. The vegetation is characterised by savannah, riverine forest and woodland. Wildlife includes lions, leopards, elephants, giraffes, hartebeests, oribis, Uganda kobs, chimpanzees, and many bird species.” - murchinsonfallsnationalpark.com
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
“Home to almost half the world’s surviving mountain gorillas, the World Heritage–listed Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is one of East Africa’s most famous national parks. Set over 331 sq km of improbably steep mountain rainforest, the park is home to an estimated 340 gorillas: undoubtedly Uganda’s biggest tourist drawcard.” - Lonely Planet
Lake Bunyonyi
“Lake Bunyonyi, also called the place of many little birds, is located in south western Uganda, between the two districts of Kisoro and Kabale close to the border of Rwanda.” - lakebunyonyiuganda.com
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AFRICA
PHOTO: NATUREDAN
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Mengo Palace
“Built in 1922, this small palace is the former home of the king of Buganda, though it has remained empty since 1966 when Prime Minister Milton Obote ordered a dramatic attack to oust Kabaka Mutesa II, then president of Uganda. Led by the forces of Idi Amin, soldiers stormed the palace and, after several days of fighting, Mutesa was forced into exile. The building’s interior cannot be visited, but the notorious underground prison here is open to tours.” - Lonely Planet
Luxurious Accomodation • Delectable Food • Corporate Conferencing • Spectacular Service NILE VILLAGE HOTEL & SPA 48/49 Kiira Road Jinja, Uganda
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Source of the Nile River
Kasubi Tombs
“The birthplace of the mighty Nile river (or one of them anyway…), here the water spills out of Lake Victoria on its journey to the Mediterranean flowing fast from the get-go. It’s estimated no more than 5 percent of water here will end up in Egypt. There’s a landmark identifying the source and a few restaurants and bars, which can make for a nice place for a sunset beer. Exploring the source by boat (per person USh50,000) is another popular option.” - Lonely Planet
“Situated on Kasubi hill, within Kampala, Uganda, the Kasubi Tombs site is an active religious place in the Buganda Kingdom. To the Baganda the Kabaka is the unquestioned symbol of spiritual, political, and social state of the Buganda nation. As the burial ground for the previous four Kabakas, therefore, the Kasubi Tombs is a place where the Kabaka and others in Buganda’s complex cultural hierarchy frequently carry out important centuries-old Ganda rituals.” - Kasubitombs.org
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BusinessTravel Guide joe.palliser@outlookpublishing.com
+44 (0)1603 959 676
ryan.gray@outlookpublishing.com
+44 (0)1603 959 672
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