One of the rapid growing ministries of Uganda, the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities figures show that the body has contributed more than Shs7.3 billion to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the financial year 2015 and 2016 respectively. As per the latest tourism ministry statistics, tourism contributes more than 10 percent of the GDP.
To quote Professor Ephraim Kamuntu, the tourism minister, ‘in our planning, as government, one of our primary sectors, and specifically sectors where the growth of the economy starts from say a york of an egg, include agriculture, manufacturing, oil and gas, tourism and Information communication technology. Tourism as a sector is shaping the future of nations.’
He also highlights that government is giving special attention to tourism as a thriving industry because of its multiplier effect on the economy. Point to be noted that the tourism sector is majorly governed by private sector players complemented by government. Mr Albert Ntambiko Katwire is quite a new face in tourism sector. He is the owner of Igufa Safaris Ltd. He believes that government’s ability to advertise Uganda in the US, Germany and European countries like the United Kingdom has enabled to open more market frontiers for the Pearl of Africa as a favorable global tourism destination.
