Mbale: Tourism Ministry Tips Guides, Companies, Operators and Hoteliers

The Ministry of Tourism recently held a two-day workshop at Courts View Hotel in Mbale City, aimed at improving service standards among key tourism stakeholders in the eastern region.

The event brought together hoteliers, tour guides, tour companies, and restaurant operators to ensure that their services meet expected standards and inspire tourists to explore the area.

Kiiza Harriet, a representative from the Ministry of Tourism, emphasized that eastern Uganda is rich in tourist attractions but continues to lack adequate customer care services that could help draw more visitors.

“Tourists need quality services—good food, courteous language, clean and conducive environments, quality accommodation, and friendly tour guides. 

These are critical elements that ensure visitors leave with a good impression and share their experiences, encouraging others to visit,” Harriet stated.

She also noted that tourism plays a significant role in employment creation. 

“The sector has created jobs for many Ugandans—hotel staff, chefs, waiters and waitresses, cleaners, and security personnel. 

If tourism is enhanced in the region, we will see more hotels, tour companies, and restaurants established, leading to more employment opportunities,” she said.

Harriet expressed concern that many hoteliers in Mbale City are unaware of the rich tourism potential surrounding them. 

She stressed the importance of promoting these attractions to boost hotel patronage, since tourists require proper accommodation and quality meals during their stay.

She highlighted several key attractions in the region, including Mount Elgon National Park, which boasts the world’s largest caldera, over 2,000 waterfalls flowing from the mountain, caves, the famous Sipi Falls in Kapchorwa, Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve, Tororo Rock, the Higher Altitude Center in Kapchorwa, and vibrant cultural experiences such as Kadodi in Bugisu, and the cultures of the Bamasaba, Sabiny, Iteso, Karamojong, Bagwere, Japadhola, Samia, Basoga, and Banyole, among others.

“All these are significant tourism resources that are still largely untapped and need effective promotion,” she added.

Harriet called on tourism stakeholders in the eastern region to collaborate and network to boost tourism. “Most of our tourism resources remain natural and unspoiled. 

We urge the people of the eastern region to familiarize themselves with the tourism sector in their areas so that they can guide visitors and also develop concepts to seek funding for promoting tourism,” she said.

Mr. Herbert Byaruhanga, a facilitator at the workshop, emphasized the need for locals to document and publicize the unique attractions and products in their areas. He encouraged the formation of associations to streamline marketing efforts.

Mr. Mukasa Mohammad Hamis, a hotelier in Mbale City, thanked the Ministry of Tourism for equipping stakeholders with valuable knowledge. “We have learned a lot and we are confident that we will perform better going forward,” he said.

Phoebe Basalirwa Masete, a tourism officer from Bulambuli, also expressed appreciation to the ministry for organizing the workshop in Mbale. She mentioned that while Bulambuli has identified several tourist sites, they face challenges such as poor road infrastructure and a lack of quality hotels.

“I urge the Government of Uganda to invest in road and infrastructure development in Bulambuli. This will attract investors to build hotels that meet tourists’ expectations,” she appealed.

Chemongese Isaac, a tourism officer from Kapchorwa, noted that the area continues to record a low number of visitors due to insufficient accommodation facilities and poor marketing.

“Even if we receive around 1,000 visitors, we lack the capacity to accommodate them. We also need to improve our client handling and marketing strategies,” he said.

However, speaking to this media house the Executive Director Uganda Wildlife Authority Dr. James Musinguzi (PhD) said that what the line ministry is doing are among the set agendas to see that tourism in Uganda competes at the international standards.

“We are in support with the tourism ministry and once standards are achieved then there would more increase in the tourism industry” Dr. James Musinguzi (PhD) Pointed out.