Kampala, Uganda, September 30, 2020. The Minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Hon. Col. (Rtd) Tom R. Butime has inaugurated the 4th board of directors of the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB). The event held and officiated by the Minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, at the Mestil Hotel and Residencies.
The new Board of Directors of UTB succeeds the 3rd board of directors who were awarded certificates of service as acknowledgement for commendable performance during their time in office.
Presiding over the ceremony, Hon. Col. (Rtd) Butime welcomed the 4th board of directors as follows; Daudi Migereko, Chairman of the 4th Board of Directors, Susan Muhwezi, Vice Chair, representing hospitality and accommodation providers ,Katende Suleiman, Member, representing the Uganda Tourism Association(UTA), Eddy Kirya, member, representing the Association of the Uganda Tour Operators(AUTO), Yewagnesh Mamo Biriggwa, member, representing the Private Aviation Industry, Lyazi Vivian, member, representing the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Mwanja Paul, member, representing The Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Chemonges Sabilla, member, representing the Uganda Wildlife Authority(UWA), Ronald Kaggwa, member, representing the National Planning Authority, Al Hajj. Eng. Ayub Sooma, member, representing the Civil Aviation Authority, and CEO, UTB Lilly Ajarova, Secretary to the Board.
“Today we are here to say thank you to the 3rd board of directors of UTB and in appreciation we have decided to give them another term of office,” said Hon Butime. “The task ahead of you is to ensure that you lead the fast tracking of the sector recovery,” he added.
Addressing the media, the newly appointed Chairman of the 4th Board of directors of UTB said, “Thank you to the President of the Republic of Uganda, His Excellency Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, as well as the Minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Hon. Butime for once again appointing us to serve UTB and the tourism industry at large. Let us work as hard as we can to meet the expectations of the appointment authority as we have so much work to do.”
He said that the tourism sector, just like all other sectors has been badly affected by the Covid-19 global pandemic and recognized the reopening of the airport as a stepping stone to the road to recovery.
He then further called for partnerships between Uganda and other members of the East African community in promoting tourism in the country.
“According to a 2020 study by the United Nations(UN) in Uganda on the social economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, Uganda’s tourism sector is projected to register a loss of millions of dollars within the next 5-year period,” said Sheila Nagatia, the Deputy UNDP resident representative of Uganda.
She mentioned that the UN commends the government of Uganda for the effort to cushion the tourism industry against the effects of the pandemic to date and is pleased to be part of the discussion in terms of what more can be done to stimulate the transformation of the tourism industry with economic recovery packages and investments in the green economy.
In his closing remarks, Hon. Butime once again congratulated the 4th board of directors of UTB upon their appointment and pledged his support as the industry focuses on aggressive promotion and marketing.
Some of the dignitaries that graced the ceremony included the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Doreen Katusiime, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Deputy Resident Representative of Uganda, Sheila Nagatia, UTB Deputy Chief Executive Officer UTB, Bradford Ochieng, the Chief Executive Officer Uganda Hotel Owners Association (UHOA), Jean Byamugisha and individual representation of some of the members of the private sector.
ABOUT UGANDA TOURISM BOARD
“Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) is a statutory organisation established in 1994 mandated to promote and market Uganda domestically, across the region and internationally, promote quality assurance in tourist facilities through training, grading and classification, promote tourism investment, support and act as liaison for the private sector in tourism development. The broader goals of the Board are to increase the contribution of tourism earnings and GDP; improve Uganda’s competitiveness as an international tourism destination; and increase Uganda’s share of Africa’s and World tourism market. UTB aims to create inclusive opportunities for the tourism sector through market transformation. For more information, please visit; www.utb.go.ug”
