MINISTRY OF TOURISM UPSKILLS JINJA STREET FOOD VENDORS TO SAFEGUARD TOURISM STANDARDS
- Feb 6
- 2 min read
Jinja, Uganda — The Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, through her Tourism Development Department, concluded a two-day training workshop in Jinja city aimed at strengthening health, safety and service standards among street food vendors, a key but often overlooked segment of the tourism value chain.
Opening the workshop, Ms. Harriet Kiiza, Principal Tourism Officer at the ministry of tourism, underscored Jinja’s strategic importance as one of Uganda’s leading tourism destinations. She cited ongoing government investments such as the Source of the Nile Development Project and the redevelopment of the Uganda Hotel and Tourism Training College as clear indicators of the city’s growing tourism profile, making continuous industry skilling a necessity.
She noted that the training was part of the ministry’s broader agenda to ensure compliance with minimum tourism and hospitality standards across the country, with a specific focus on street food vendors. The principle emphasized that street food plays a critical role in shaping visitor experiences, particularly during major events such as the Nyege Nyege Festival, where vendors often cater to large crowds. “A simple street meal can create an unforgettable memory for a visitor, just as a bad food experience can ruin an entire trip,” she said.
She urged participants to professionalize their operations through proper grooming, ethical conduct, and adherence to food safety standards, while also encouraging them to take advantage of government skilling opportunities. Ms. Kiiza highlighted the Technical and Vocational Education and Training Act, 2025, which introduced a more hands-on, competency-based training approach to better support vocational skills development.
Welcoming participants on behalf of Jinja City, Tourism Officer Ms. Namugundo Shamim louded the ministry of tourism for its continued support to grassroots service providers. She stressed that beyond hotels and attractions, culinary experiences, especially street food, play a major role in destination branding.
The training covered health and safety standards, food handling best practices, environmental sanitation and ethical conduct, delivered by health expert Mr. Michael Bageya. Participants were also introduced to skilling and outreach programs available at the Uganda Hotel and Tourism Training Institute, presented by Ms. Azipora Ageru.
The initiative marks another step in strengthening service quality and safeguarding Jinja’s reputation as a premier tourism destination
It's heartening to see the Ministry of Tourism taking steps to uplift Jinja's street food vendors. This initiative not only enhances the city's appeal but also ensures a safer dining experience for tourists. How do you think this will impact Jinja's position on the ebola map 2026?
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This is such an inspiring initiative! It’s great to see street food vendors getting the recognition and training they deserve—they truly are the heart of local tourism. I love how projects like these elevate authentic experiences for visitors. By the way, if you’re ever making a big poster or wall art for a tourism event, rasterbator is perfect for printing large banners on regular home printers—super handy for classroom projects or showcasing photos of places like Jinja. So cool to see grassroots efforts shaping destinations!
Great initiative! Street food safety is so often overlooked, but it can make or break a travel experience. This training will definitely boost Jinja’s appeal for foodie travelers. Reminds me of some truly cursed images I’ve seen of street kitchens, so this is a welcome step forward.