Uganda Launches Cultural and Culinary Festival in Kenya to Strengthen Tourism Ties

Summary:

• Uganda launches its first Cultural and Culinary Festival in Kenya, attracting over 500 tourists and aiming to strengthen tourism ties between the two countries.

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Uganda has launched it’s first Cultural and Culinary Festival at the Diani Reef Beach Hotel in Kwale, Kenya, drawing in over 500 local and international tourists. This event marks the beginning of a series planned across four Kenyan coastal counties, aiming to showcase Ugandan culture and cuisine while attracting more Kenyan tourists to Uganda.

Uganda’s Consul General in Mombasa, Ambassador Paul Mukumbya, highlighted the significant tourist exchange between Kenya and Uganda in 2023. With Kenya welcoming around 200,000 Ugandan tourists and nearly 500,000 Kenyan visitors to Uganda, the festival aims to further encourage Kenyan tourism to Uganda by emphasizing the ease of travel between the two countries.

Mukumbya emphasized the importance of regional cooperation in boosting tourism across East Africa, stressing the festival’s role as a platform for both nations to tap into neighboring markets and strengthen ties. The festival featured cultural performances by the renowned Ndere Troupe, comedic acts by Ugandan comedian Anne Kansiime, and a culinary showcase of authentic Ugandan dishes.

Kwale’s Deputy Governor, Chirema Kombo, reaffirmed the county’s commitment to tourism collaboration with Uganda, inviting investment across various sectors and highlighting the festival’s role in driving socio-economic development. The launch of the Uganda Cultural and Culinary Festival in Kenya signals a promising initiative to enhance tourism ties between the two countries and contribute to regional tourism growth in East Africa.

(BE)

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