The Uganda Tourism Board Quality Assurance (QA) Department is currently undertaking a comprehensive inventory exercise across selected national parks in Uganda, namely:
- Murchison Falls National Park,
- Lake Mburo National Park,
- Queen Elizabeth National Park, and
- Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
The inventory exercise involves assessing accommodation facilities to determine their readiness for grading. Facilities that meet all the required criteria are included on the list for grading, while those that do not fully comply are advised on the specific areas requiring improvement ahead of the next phase of the inventory exercise.
This activity is being implemented in partnership with East African Community (EAC)–certified assessors, the Uganda Hotel Owners Association (UHOA), the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), and the Tourism Police, reflecting a coordinated, multi-stakeholder approach to strengthening quality standards within protected areas.
The exercise is being carried out by three field teams, each deployed to different national parks and led by a quality assurance staff member. The teams are operating concurrently to ensure efficient coverage of accommodation facilities located within and around the protected areas.
The primary objective of the inventory exercise is to:
- Identify accommodation facilities that qualify for grading under the national tourism standards framework.
- Establish facilities that are operating without registration or licensing within and around national parks.
- Sensitize unregistered and non-licensed facilities on the requirements and processes for licensing and registration.
Through this process, the institution aims to promote compliance and guide operators toward meeting the required minimum standards.
Scope and Expected Outcomes
A total of 57 lodges located in and around the selected national parks are expected to be inventoried during the exercise. The findings will inform future quality assurance interventions, licensing actions, and capacity-building initiatives for accommodation providers.
The broader goal of the inventory exercise is to increase compliance and enhance accommodation standards within protected areas. National parks attract premium tourists who are not only willing to spend more but also demand exceptional value, quality service, and high safety standards.
By strengthening regulation and quality assurance in these sensitive and high-value tourism zones, the initiative contributes to improving visitor experiences, protecting Uganda’s tourism reputation, and supporting sustainable tourism development.
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