Tourism sector players in Kigezi Sub-region have decried the rising hostility towards tourists that is being exhibited by some youth living near the tourism sites. Some of these youth turn violent against tourists after begging from them and their requests are not honoured. They then throw stones at the tourists.

Kigezi sub-region is popular for hosting some of Uganda’s top tourism attractions, including Lake Bunyonyi, Africa's second deepest Lake, the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and National Park, a popular spot for tracking the rare Mountain Gorilla as well as the Mt. Muhabura ranges, among many other attractions.

The Rubanda District Tourism Officer, Heidy Zikereta, who is also a tour guide with Kazinga Tour and Travel Company, told COU Family TV that groups of unemployed youth, especially along the Kabale- Rubanda– Kanungu road through Ruhija to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park have a habit of begging and stopping the vehicles carrying tourist and asking for money.

Zikereta added that he has personally seen three incidents with tourists he was guiding. He narrated an incident where he refused to stop after being flagged down by the begging youth and children who then threw stones towards them.

Zikereta appealed to security agencies and other stakeholders to collaborate in finding a solution to this creeping challenge that is soiling Uganda’s image and risking the gains made by the tourism sector

The Kigezi Region Police Spokesperson, Elly Maate, explained that many tour companies prefer to use the services of private security companies instead of police officers. He noted that such has limited the ability of the police to monitor the movement of tourists and/or secure their routes.

Maate, however, says that no complaint in that regard has been filed with the police in the Kigezi sub-region.

Gallasiano Kato, a tour operator and member of the Uganda Safari Guides Association called for a deliberate programme to sensitize the communities living in tourism areas to the importance of Tourism to their immediate livelihoods and the national economy.

He cited other incidents where some people in the community insulted tourists, begged for items using a harsh tone and generally exhibited bad manners.

Ivan Batuma Mbabazi, the chairperson of the tourism cluster in the Kigezi Sub-region condemned the unbecoming behaviour by the youth and called for continuous engagement aimed at mindset change in the communities hosting tourism attractions.                                                                       

According to a ministerial performance report by the Tourism Ministry, the sector generated about 2.7 trillion shillings in 2022, representing 12.2 per cent of total exports and 41.4 per cent of service exports. Now, tourism sector players and other stakeholders are worried that if the hostility and bad conduct towards tourists continue, the earnings from the sector will dip significantly. Tourism is among the top three foreign exchange earners for Uganda. 

Job Namanya