Hello

Your subscription is almost coming to an end. Don’t miss out on the great content on Nation.Africa

Ready to continue your informative journey with us?

Hello

Your premium access has ended, but the best of Nation.Africa is still within reach. Renew now to unlock exclusive stories and in-depth features.

Reclaim your full access. Click below to renew.

Promote cultural tourism to improve livelihoods

Ms Zenar Khalir, the chairperson of the Nubian Tourism and Development Centre (NTDC), shows off some of the crafts at their headquarters in Bombo Town, Luweero District on December 22, 2024. PHOTO/DAN WANDERA

What you need to know:

  • Cultural tourism is currently conducted on a very small scale, depriving the country of revenue that can be secured from the venture. Many foreign tourists are eager and willing to pay to experience and learn about the cultures of Uganda’s tribes

The Nubian community in Uganda is renowned for its beautiful handcrafts such as baskets and mats, among others. These handcrafts are an expression of the Nubian culture and also a source of income as stated in a story titled “Nubian crafts: A source of livelihood, pride,” which was published in Daily Monitor on Wednesday, January 8.

The Nubians use locally available materials to make the handcrafts that they use in their households and also sell to earn income.

According to members of the Nubian Tourism and Development Centre, proceeds from the handcrafts have enabled them to pay school fees for their children and cater for other needs.

The cost of the handcrafts ranges from Shs30,000 to Shs200,000 depending on type and size. Their buyers include tourists and locals.

We call upon other ethnic groups in the country to emulate the Nubians and actively engage in cultural tourism.

There are 56 tribes in Uganda, each with its unique culture, attire, dance, music, drinks, and food.

Currently, Uganda over relies on wildlife tourism, leaving the vast cultural tourism potential wasted.

Cultural tourism is currently conducted on a very small scale, depriving the country of revenue that can be secured from the venture.

Many foreign tourists are eager and willing to pay to experience and learn about the cultures of Uganda’s tribes.

This is an opportunity that the government and cultural institutions of the various tribes should grab with both hands.

The government should finance cultural institutions and other local leaders to enable them mobilise their respective tribesmen and women to display their culture to paying visitors.

Rituals and festivities such as the Imbalu circumcision ceremony of the Bagisu and the Ateker festival, among others, should be actively promoted as tourist attractions.

Members of the various tribes should be encouraged to make quality handcrafts that tourists are willing to buy as souvenirs, decorations, and for practical use.

Locals should also be facilitated to learn international languages such as French, German and Spanish, besides English, to enable them to easily communicate with tourists.

This, coupled with the renowned hospitality of Ugandans and the prevailing peace, will attract more tourists to the country, increasing the revenue needed for provision of social services.

The money that the communities engaging in cultural tourism receive would also improve their standards of living.