Market Destination Representative, Uganda Tourism Board, Mr. Anthony Ochieng (left) and other members of his delegation to NATOP seminar/conference in Ekiti State
Ekene Okafor, Lagos
Uganda Tourism Board delegates are in Ado Ekiti, the state capital of Ekiti for the Nigeria Association of Tour Operators (NATOP) Tourism Conference/Seminar/ 7th Annual General Meeting holding from Thursday, July 13 through to Sunday, July 16.
The delegates are in Nigeria to market Uganda’s vast tourism potential and destinations to Nigerians who love to travel.
The Market Destination Representative, Uganda Tourism Board, Mr. Anthony Ochieng, speaking during a press briefing in Lagos, the commercial city of Nigeria says the “Pearl of Africa” is a country blessed with beautiful scenery, beautiful national parks, wild life, eco-tourism, mountains, and several other unique tourist attractions.
“Uganda tourism is steadily growing. It’s a must visit destination. Some of Africa’s most sought-after species live in Uganda, like the mountain gorillas and chimpanzees. Also, 11% of the world’s bird species, including rarely seen birds like the shoebill, are found in Uganda,” Mr. Ochieng said.
According to Mr. Ochieng, Uganda is also a destination for faith-based tourism, with notable attractions like the Bahai Temple, and the Uganda Martyrs Shrine in Namugongo where the faithful died on the order of the King of Buganda, Kabaka Mwanga, in 1886.
Uganda Martyrs Shrine in Namugongo
“One of the things that we are targeting so much to market is faith-based tourism. In the past, we’ve had pilgrims travelling to Uganda to experience the Uganda Martyrs celebration, which usually takes place on the 3rd of June. From statistics, Catholics and Anglicans make the major religious stakeholders in Nigeria,” he said.
Another delegate, Mr. Donald Musobozi said Nigeria remains a big market in Africa and added it was time Africans patronise their own and learned more about various African heritage, which would create more business opportunities among African countries.
“I feel Uganda, Kenya, and Nigeria are like siblings. When you look at the pattern of a Nigerian and a Ugandan, there is not much difference. Talk of a nightlife, Ugandans party too. It’s totally the same. I have also seen a lot of music collaborations among big music artists from the two countries.”
