The Buganda Heritage Tourism Board (BHTB) in partnership with Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) have called on Tourism stakeholders to prioritize the Kingdom’s tourism sites, cultural heritage and traditional history.
The revelation was made during a Royal Mile walk FAM Trip which took place on Saturday. The walk started from Bulange, Mengo to the Official Palace of the King of Buganda traversing through the historic and famous tourism Royal mile road mediated by a roundabout called ‘’Ntawetwa’’ designed with super iconic monuments showcasing the rich culture of Buganda people and their diverse clan segmentations.
The Royal Mile walk was graced by Chairman of UTB Daudi Migereko, Minister for Information in Buganda Kingdom Noah Kiyimba, Kawere Richard the CEO Uganda Tourism Association, Benon Ntambi the Chairman Buganda Heritage Tourism Board (BHTB ), Mr Batenze Patrick the Head of Credit at Equity Bank and others.
Before the walk, Mr. Kiyimba launched a mini-museum at Bulange Mengo and the ‘Certificate of Completion’ for the Royal mile and Buganda tourism sites for tourists that will be visiting the spots as these will be received upon semi – completion and full completion of the visits for all tourism places and attractions in the proximity of Kampala and Buganda region at a fee of Shs10, 000.
Such sites include; Bulange Mengo, a building that has survived for over 70 years, Kasubi Tombs , Ssekabaka Kiweewa Tombs, Kabaka’s Lake, Wamala tombs, Lubiri (Kabaka’s palace), Amin’s Dungeon (Torture Chambers), Ntawetwa Roundabout, Lubaga Cathedral, Namirembe Cathedral, Old Kampala, among many more tourist attractions in Buganda.
Mr. Migereko applauded the Kingdom and Buganda Heritage Tourism Board for their call for partnership with Uganda Tourism Board towards upping up Buganda’s rich traditional culture, historical backgrounds among many more so as to create awareness to the public.
“The launch of this Royal mile walk signifies a great interest that Buganda Kingdom has towards Tourism in Uganda. There’s no place in the World that exists without people knowing their culture, norms and traditions as these are very instrumental for every tribe.” he said
“At UTB, we have been discussing a plan to ramp up Tourism post Covid-19 and justify some of the untapped key areas we need to take on as among these indicated places around Kampala. This is vital especially during such times when tourists have health concerns given the pandemic and therefore feel safe to traverse nearby places around the City’s Central Business District.” he said.
“It’s on this plea that we thought of a tour sachet around the City and therefore this royal mile walk will help us address some of things like enabling delegates that come here for conferences to take on trips around religious places like; Old Kampala, Lubaga, Kibuli, Namirembe while also visiting Namugongo and Munyonyo martyrs shrines, these places are so significant for Faith based tourism and adding Bulange Mengo, the Kabaka’s Lake and Palace to this sachet serves a great purpose as most delegates after attending the conferences whether in Munyonyo or Serena hotels enjoy city trips especially viewing of the Lake plus boat cruises as these spice up their evenings or day’’.
Allen Irene Namisango, the Head at Uganda Uncovered organisers of the Royal mile walk FAM trip lauded the Kingdom’s Heritage Tourism Board for accepting their proposal for the cause and also thanked Uganda Tourism Board for taking on the idea and partnering to add a boost to the Royal mile walk FAM trip.
Noah Kiyimba said Tourism is marketed by word of mouth however the political environment in the Country must be appealing. He also appreciated Uganda Uncovered for such meaningful arrangements that will see Buganda strengthen her Tourism as a Kingdom to tourists in Uganda and those from abroad post Covid-19.
“Buganda’s tourism for so long has been untapped. Buganda as a Kingdom has a lot of traditional tales and rich history to sell to the World as a tourism product such as the Kabaka’s lake which is the 3rd dug by simple hoe man-made lake in the entire World but all this is less attended to,” he said.
Mr Busulwa Farouk, Head of the Marketing Committee and board member Buganda Heritage Tourism Board emphasized that there’s a lot more to learn while visiting Buganda Kingdom.
“In just 45 minutes, you can get to experience Bulange alone, get to know where the past Kings used to seat, the Parliament of Buganda, among others not forgetting the Royal mile that comprises the different sculptures bearing the origins and names of the different people in Buganda,” he said.
“The Palace alone consists of Buganda Museum which includes all items used in the traditional Buganda and former Kabakas, remains of Cars used by Kabaka Muteesa I, Iddi Amin’s dungeon that served as an Armoury but later turned into a torture chamber among many more,” he said.
