Ugandan Cooperatives Encouraged to Invest in Tourism for Economic Growth

Summary:

• The Uhuru Institute for Social Development is urging cooperatives to invest in tourism to boost income diversification in Uganda. They’re offering incentives for innovative cooperatives to explore agro-tourism opportunities.

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The Uhuru Institute for Social Development is spearheading efforts to encourage cooperatives to invest in tourism, aiming to broaden their revenue streams. Leonard Okello, CEO of the Institute, highlights the importance of diversifying Uganda’s domestic tourism and promoting agro-tourism through this initiative.

To incentivize participation, the Institute is offering a fully paid trip to a top tourism destination in Uganda for the most innovative cooperative society. Okello emphasizes the potential for integrated agricultural and tourism projects, using Kabalega Falls National Park in Kiryandongo district as a model.

Okello stresses the need for cooperatives to embrace modern and nontraditional activities beyond agriculture. He pledges ongoing support from the institute to ensure cooperatives become significant contributors to Uganda’s economic growth.

Recently, Mengya Integrated Farmers Cooperative Society won the Coop360 Innovation Awards for their innovative irrigation system in Kween District. General Manager Moses Kiptala sees opportunities in agro-tourism to expand their market for Irish potato products.

Uganda Tourism Board advocates for agro-tourism as a catalyst for sectoral growth, leveraging the country’s agricultural landscape. Simplicious Gessa, UTB’s head of communications, envisions cooperatives transforming their projects into model farms and boosting domestic tourism.

Gessa underscores the importance of reducing reliance on foreign visitors by promoting domestic tourism, citing Kenya’s resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic due to a strong domestic segment. However, he notes a lack of awareness among Ugandans about the affordability of visiting local tourist attractions.