THE MINISTRY OF TOURISM STRENGTHENS LOCAL GOVERNMENTCAPACITY TO DRIVE TOURISM GROWTH IN BUGANDA REGION

The Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities has successfully concluded a two- day Tourism Capacity Building Programme for Local Government officials in the Buganda Region, held from April 8th to 9th, 2026 at Brovad Hotel in Masaka City.

The initiative forms part of the Ministry’s continued efforts to enhance stakeholder collaboration and promote balanced tourism development across the country. It brought together political and administrative leaders, tourism officers, district and city planners, academia and private sector players including hoteliers and crafts associations.

The programme focused on equipping local government leaders with the knowledge and tools necessary to effectively support tourism development and destination management. Key objectives included sensitizing leaders on their roles and responsibilities in tourism, enhancing understanding of the policy, legal and regulatory frameworks and strengthening capacity to integrate tourism priorities into district and regional development plans. Participants also engaged in identifying and assessing key tourism attractions and infrastructure within the Buganda Region to unlock investment opportunities.

This intervention aligns with the Ministry’s strategic objectives under the National Development Plan IV (NDP IV), particularly in addressing skills and capacity gaps within the tourism and hospitality sector, enhancing competitiveness and promoting best practices across the tourism value chain.

RDC AND RCC in full attendance

The workshop was officially opened by the Mayor of Masaka City, Ms. Florence Namayanja, who emphasized the region’s untapped tourism potential. She noted that while Masaka is predominantly an agricultural hub, initiatives such as coffee tourism present significant opportunities for diversification. She highlighted her commitment to advancing coffee tourism, envisioning a future where the region’s coffee identity becomes a defining attraction from Lukaya through the entire city. She further pointed out other underutilized attractions including birding sites within designated Ramsar areas, cultural heritage sites and institutions such as Mutesa I Royal University.

The two-day programme featured a series of technical presentations aimed at strengthening local capacity. The Commissioner for Tourism Development in the ministry of Tourism, Vivian Lyazi presented on decentralization and its implications for tourism governance. The Ministry’s Senior Statistician, Denis Rodney Ojok, underscored the critical role of tourism statistics in evidence-based planning and decision-making at the local government level. The Tourism Police highlighted strategies for fostering safety and security within the tourism and hospitality sector, while officials also guided participants on the application of conditional grants.

The training attracted key local leaders including the Resident District Commissioner (RDC) and the Resident City Commissioner (RCC) of Masaka, reflecting strong government commitment to advancing tourism at the grassroots level.

The programme was officially closed by the RDC, Ms. Nabakooza Josephine, who pledged to champion the tourism agenda in Masaka and the greater Buganda Region. She commended the Ministry for organizing the training, noting that it had sparked renewed commitment among local leaders to prioritize tourism as a driver of socio-economic transformation.

The Ministry of Tourism remains committed to rolling out similar capacity-building initiatives across the country as it works to position Uganda as a competitive and sustainable tourism destination.