ARE WE LOOSING TOUCH WITH THE THINGS THAT ATTRACT THE TOURIST?

Tourism is the largest and most impacting industry on the world’s economic and social livelihood. In 2011, the world’s total exports attributed to tourism were estimated at 1.030 billion dollars and tourism arrivals grew to 982m.

In Uganda alone, tourism has been recognized as a core sector to the social economic transformation of the country. Statistics reveal that the visitation arrivals have increased from 20500 in 2001 to 150,000 in 2011 and tourism earnings have grown from US$165million in 2001 to US$805million in 2011.

This is no wonder because Uganda is greatly endowed with tourist attractions across the country like, crater lakes and hot springs, caves, historical sites, snow capped mountains, green thick penetrable forests, National parks with a variety of unique bird and animal species, deep and rich salt and fish lakes, deep meandering rivers, vast mineral resources, diverse cultural heritage, and the great equator line among others.

Yes, whereas these tourist sites have undisputedly brought in impressive amounts of money in the recent past, the care and state of these sites is alarmingly worrying. Some of these sites have continuously been encroached on by the locals and some few opportunists/spoilers, others have kind of lived past their time and coupled with very little or no care they have eroded, and or been destroyed with no care for routine maintenance.

I choose to look at the Equator line erection along Bushenyi- Kasese highway at Kikorongo Junction in Kasese District. Geography defines the equator as an imaginary line that divides the earth into the northern and southern hemisphere. It is also known for its importance as a path through which the sun passes on its way from the east to the west.

Uganda and Kasese District in particular is lucky to be the custodians/hosts of this particular imaginary line; which it has beautifully modeled and erected along the highway.

This among other attractions in the district has attracted many people both local and international and as a matter of fact enhanced Uganda’s visibility and tourism wealth; until parts of the beautiful equator erection started to fall off with no repair. 

Ten years back, the word UGANDA elegantly spread across the erection, so much so that anyone anywhere would tell that this beautiful site is found in Uganda. It is unfortunate that today as we rejoice in Uganda’s 50 years of existence and the increased economic returns from the tourism sector, only 3 out of the 6 letters of the word UGANDA can be seen; and one can no longer tell what word it is and what country the site in question is found. 

I wonder; while we earn the money, who cares about the things that bring this money? It is my humble appeal that the authorities in charge should strengthen their attachment of value to the things that catch the eye and attract the tourist in Uganda.