Uganda: Tourism Funds Slashed By 70%, Minister Warns of Job Losses

By Shamim Nabakooza

Authorities has reduce Ministry of Tourism and its entities finances by 70% within the coming monetary yr from shillings 194 billion to shillings 89 billion.

The officers made the submissions whereas assembly the Commerce, Tourism and Business committee of parliament headed by Mbarara Metropolis South MP Mwine Mpaka. They had been led by the Tourism minister Col (rtd) Tom Butime, the tourism Everlasting Secretary Doreen Katusiime, Uganda Tourism Board CEO Lily Ajarova, amongst others.

Col (rtd) Tom Butime

Within the allocations, Ministry of Tourism recurrent finances stands at shillings 7.15 billion for 2023/24 lowered by shillings 21.19 billion within the monetary 2021/22. Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) will get shillings 21.35 billion. Uganda Wildlife Training Centre (UWEC) will get shillings 1.90 billion. Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) will get shillings 4.21 billion.

Officers from Ministry of Tourism decried the finances cuts as detrimental, particularly coming at a time when Uganda wants to advertise itself as a journey vacation spot.

They stated the finances cuts might see UWA being compelled to let go of some recreation rangers as a result of below the brand new allocations, they can’t afford to pay their salaries. This in flip is more likely to result in the rise of poaching as recreation parks won’t be adequately policed.

UWEC officers headed by David Kasumba instructed the legislators that the shillings 1.9 billion accorded to the centre just isn’t sufficient to purchase meals for the animals which requires greater than shillings 2.4 billion.

The unamused legislators puzzled why the tourism ministry officers had not made a greater case to Finance to safe extra funding.

They joined the officers in decrying the lowered funding for a sector which contributes so much to the coffers of the nation int international change as effectively rising the nation’s standing globally.

The minister of Tourism Col Butime warned that in case the tourism ministry fails to get extra funding, this might result in the collapse of the sector.