Army veterans form tourism company
Mr Willy Okello (Left), the general secretary of Fronasa, presents a Uganda National Chamber of Commerce and Industry certificate of incorporation for Fronasa Economic Forum to Mr Erbil Akgun (3rdR), the Turkish Airlines country manager in Ntinda, Kampala yesterday. Looking on are Mr Mabati Apollo (3rdLeft), the presidential advisor on veterans, Mr Cem Batu (4th Left), the general manager of Turkish Airlines, Mr Nassur Bruhan (2ndR), the chairman of Fronasa and Mr Bulent Ali Okandar (Right), the coordinator external relations Fronasa. Photo BY STEPHEN OTAGE
Kampala.
Army veterans have formed a company to enable them develop tourism products in order to earn a living.
Mr Nassur Bruhan, the chairman of Fronasa Economic Forum Uganda, said the company which was established in February, aims at improving the welfare of veterans instead of always asking for government bailouts.
He was speaking at the signing ceremony for a memorandum of understanding between the economic arm of the Front for National Salvation (Fronasa) and Turkish Airlines yesterday.
Fronasa was the rebel group formed by President Museveni in the 1972 to oust president Idi Amin from power.
According to Mr Nassur, the rebel outfit had an economic arm, which had been forgotten and would be revived to support all retired soldiers and their families for those who have since died.
“With tourism, there are many untapped opportunities, which we believe the former combatants can benefit from. Our work is going to be just to show them what to do with assistance from our friends from Turkey,” he said.
Mr Nassur said they would engage veterans in identifying historical monuments and sites, which they will develop into tourism sites so that they are marketed worldwide.
According to Erbil Akgun, the Turkish Airlines general manager, as an airline, they are determined to market Uganda to the world so that the world can come to Uganda because of its beautiful tourism attractions.
“We have 20 scholarships that we offer Ugandans to study IATA courses in Turkey and we pay all their travel, accommodation and tuition expenses so that we develop the quality of tourism in the country,” he said.
