Passing of a newly debated Bill into law by Parliament, that seeks to introduce a tourism development levy will take Uganda’s tourism to another level.

Government officials said this would help the country aggressively market the tourism potential. It would also spur tourism players including the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), Uganda Tourist Board (UTB), tour operators and the expanding hotel industry.

UTB’s John Babihunguza said development partners’ support would expire in December.

“We need to have mechanisms for funding to promote tourism,” he said, adding that the tourism levy is part of the proposed tourism bill.

Damian Akankwasa, the acting head of UWA, said without funding from the Government, UTB had been asking partners to pay and meet the costs during the international exhibitions.

Uganda tourism news