Sustainable Destination Management
Strategies in the OIC Member Countries
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The Civil Aviation Authority is currently developing a 20-year master plan for expansion and
development of airports and aerodromes thereby improving connectivity to the tourist sites. The
previously long journey time between Kampala city and Entebbe where the airport is located has
recently been reduced with the opening of a new bypass road but long distances to the Albertine
Rift attractions remain and represent a competitive disadvantage for Uganda.212
The government offers a 100%waiver on the importation of tourist vehicles. The private sector
did have to raise its prices with a new 18%VAT levied on safaris in 2010. The 24 taxes to tourism
are not a strong incentive at the moment nor make Uganda very price competitive.213 With a lack
of an operational tourism policy, the investment environment is also not hugely attractive.
However, it is relatively easy to do business in Uganda with less red tape compared to some of
its neighboring destinations. The absence of incentives especially regarding middle-range
businesses, was also considered as detrimental to a rapid expansion of the tourism sector
through diversification and the improvement of its products and services. In terms of marketing
UTB do provide opportunities for subsidized spots at international fairs214 and UWA help
organize fam trips. UWA also offers a free gorilla permit for every 30 purchased by operators.215
Stakeholder Engagement
The Ministry (MTWA), in consultation with key stakeholders, has updated a number of the
relevant legal and regulatory frameworks to guide the development of the sector. These include
the Museum and Monument Policy and the Wildlife policy. It is felt that on a policy level,
stakeholder engagement has been good in Uganda. 216
UTB recognize that the future success of the tourism sector in Uganda rests solidly on the
collective drive of the entire tourism industry. To bring Uganda’s tourism to the next level, there
is continued need to forge closer collaborations. In 2016/2017, UTB supported and partnered
with various governments, social and private sector groups to promote tourism. In terms of
increasing visitor volumes, UTB work with private sector companies to strengthen their hold in
the international market via exhibitions and also work with PR firms in North America and
Europe. Domestically, they work with tourism-related associations and media, as well as
individual firms.217 The Uganda Tourism Association acts as the umbrella for the other
associations and tends to coordinate the meetings between the stakeholders and UTB on a
weekly basis.218
UWA is the main tourismdriver in the key destinations. Wildlife conservation has diverse issues,
diversity of stakeholders, and therefore need to increase stakeholders’ participation to enhance
benefits from conservation. Networking and co-ordination will be geared towards exchange of
information and expertise through meetings, field visits, workshops, and online forums for
efficient conservation of wildlife resources, and avoiding duplication. Annual stakeholders’
212 National Planning Authority Website. (2018). Enhancing competitiveness in Uganda’s tourism sector for growth and
employment. Retrieved from
competitiveness.pdf
213 Interview Bonifence.
214 Interview UTB.
215 Interview UWA.
216 Interviews with UTB, UWA, Bonifence and Fidelis.
217 Uganda Tourism Board (n.d.). Website. Retrieved from
partnerships/.
218 Interview UTB.