Politics And Tourism
Quo vadis Uganda tourism?
UGANDA (eTN) - Tourism and hospitality operators, under cover of strict anonymity for fear of repercussions and being potentially singled out for violent reactions by political "rent-a-hooligan" gangs, have started to comment on the recent spate of opposition demonstrations in Kampala and upcountry political hot spots. While careful not to be too offensive in their comments towards the responsible section of the opposition, probably mindful that the opposition today may sometime in the distant future mature enough to become the government of the day, the underlying sentiments are nevertheless strong and may give opposition strategists an insight just how much they are offending stakeholders in tourism responsible for providing hundreds of thousands of jobs for Ugandans and potentially creating a new wave of anti-opposition sentiments spread by business leaders.
Today is the swearing in ceremony of President Museveni, following his convincing election victory, the magnitude of which was predicted by all opinion polls, including those commissioned by the opposition parties and their foreign NGO friends – all taken aback by the results of the polling and eventually the votes cast.
Economic development and progress, including in the tourism industry, has for many years been a hallmark of the NRM government, and while government is regularly criticized over the lack of sufficient funding for the Uganda Tourist Board and related institutions, at least government has provided an enabling environment for business to prosper. In fact, government’s ability to bring peace to the country and through a series of economic and fiscal measures, ensure economic progress and development over the past two decades are arguably the main factors for the election win, something either not understood or overlooked altogether by the opposition.
The onset of the political crisis in Northern Africa and parts of the Middle East, which sent oil prices rocketing and fueled global inflation, hit East Africa’s populations, not just Ugandans, very hard, and though relief is now in sight due to the sharp downward correction of crude oil prices, this will take a while to translate into the cost of imported items, including fuels, to come down.
It was here that sections of the opposition perverted the daily struggle of Ugandans, who cannot afford a bus fare and have to walk to work. Staging scripted "walk to work" protests, with sections of the local and international media in league and almost open cahoots, they were attempting to turn the daily challenges of life for many Ugandans into counterproductive road blockages, random violence by rented mobs, and looting of mostly small-scale retail businesses.
Government came down hard and fast on them, but the deliberate way of biased and one-sided reporting by sections of the media swiftly portrayed Uganda as an unsafe destination, to the deluded delight of the perpetrators of such incidents who happily see the economy, and in particular the tourism industry, sink into the abyss, ready to destroy what has taken 25 years to build, if only to serve their own selfish purposes and satisfy their own egos.
Tourism operators have now warned that the country could lose as much as US$100 million a month in projected tourism incomes, as airline chiefs in Kampala too have sounded the alarm over the cancellation of booked tickets with potential visitors scared off by sensational TV pictures NOT reflecting the reality on the ground. Hotel managers have confirmed a trend downwards of occupancies since the opposition started their ill-conceived campaign and safari operators, and car hire firms are seeing their fleet utilization come down, too, as have occupancies in safari lodges and camps in the national parks.
As said here before, Uganda is a fundamentally peaceful country, with unique attractions worth visiting, from Lake Victoria and the source of the River Nile to the "Mountains of the Moon," from gorilla tracking in Bwindi and Mgahinga to the spectacular scenery of Kidepo Valley National Park, and from Murchisons Falls to Kibale Forest. The municipality of Jinja has acquired the byname of "Adventure Capital of East Africa" for its range of thrilling attractions, offering white water rafting, river trips, bungee jumping, quad biking, horseback riding, and also hikes along the river and trips by bicycle through the friendly villages nearby.
Over the years, and while admittedly with a more focused and deliberate financing of the sector by government, much more could have been achieved. The progress of the industry is impressive by any standards. Indigenous stakeholders, arguably more than in any other country of the East African Community, have come to the forefront of the tourism industry and are now providing tens of thousands of direct and even more indirect jobs. Tourism, after coffee and tea, is the highest foreign exchange earner for the country, and the upswing of demand has seen more and more international airlines fly to Entebbe, connecting Uganda to the world and the world to Uganda.
Said a leading stakeholder yesterday to this correspondent: "The opposition lost the plot when they started to incite violence amongst their supporters. They cannot deny this. It is on public record that the main culprit has even ruled out the use of force when asked before the elections. Does this not show what is going on in his mind? Ugandans have rejected him, three times in a row. I, and many of my colleagues, welcome our government’s response. Ok, some measures were poorly executed and the responses seen on TV were unproportional here and there, but in the final analysis, those blocking roads, throwing stones, looting, and stealing in the midst of what they created were getting what was due to them. No government can just look on when rented hooligans and criminals are unleashed on the people, and the motives behind it are clear - it is an attempt to grab power by illegal means.
"Already our hotel occupancies are down, restaurants have empty tables, hire cars are left parked, and less safaris go on the road to the parks. Business leaders now must speak out and stand up, support government in reasonable measures to restore quiet on our streets, and demand of the opposition to make their case in parliament when it is inaugurated next week. Politics in Uganda is no longer for the streets, it is for the institutions we have created for that purpose. You yourself have struggled with us for many years to make tourism what it is today, and I and my colleagues sincerely hope that this political madman is not allowed to destroy what we built by hard work and determination. We have to tell them ‘no you can't' stop the violence and stop going on the streets before you ruin all of us, otherwise expect no sympathy when you get arrested again and thrown in jail; you are no martyr, you are by all means a political failure and hooligan now."
Similar sentiments were expressed in varying degrees by other stakeholders in regular contact with this correspondent, showing how fed up the tourism industry, and also the business community in general, have become with these attempts to rock our peace. It can only be hoped that after the formal swearing in of the president today and the announcement of a new government, calm will return to Kampala allowing our visitors from abroad to peacefully walk our streets, sightsee, and shop, as has for long been our hallmark.
Comments
Article on Dr. Vincent Magombe from April 2010.
http://ugandansatheart.org/2010/04/13/dr-magombe-was-in-power-from-1979/
Wolfgang, please ignore this pest!
This is a very clear and accurate account of the unfolding events in Uganda. The worst thing that could possibly befall Kizza Besigye and company is that they get exactly what they want -- ousting President Museveni at all costs to the republic. They'll then have to ride the tiger and find out that the mandate of a small fraction of Kampala residents cannot by any means be forcefully imposed on the rest of us. Remember that! Toppling might be the easy part -- especially with the help of Cameron/UK Conservatives, Rupert Murdoch media empire, Nation Media Group of Kenya and many others. If KB thinks this is a "messy collapse of government" in the making, which will create "a transitional governing arrangement" for him to preside over, he will be shocked at how quickly his fake little puppet arrangement will crash and burn when 30 million plus wanyaUganda from all regions rise up to forcefully regain their democracy from him. Just keep on playing your games KB, even to the extent of toppling our government and see where you will end.
Dear Sirs,
the writer is very right again in his analysis. Those opposing have shown what is in their mind, violence and destruction. We peaceloving Ugandans only hope that government ends this spectacle very soon and we can go after our business without opposition unleashing their terror gangs on us.
Yours faithfully
Mukasa Fred. M.
Wolfgang, please continue your sound, objective work. The bitter, venomous vitriol of these opposition internet trolls who are openly threatening you is perfectly consistent with their pathetic leader. Don't mind them! This band of hired thugs will sooner or later discover how hard it is to impose their "fake" will on the masses of Uganda even if it has been surprisingly easy for them to destabilize the government. Let them continue, even succeed in their efforts... the unstoppable and decisive FORCE of Uganda's mobilized masses will be eagerly waiting on the other side! We've been preparing for this day for over 2 decades. Meanwhile, Wolfgang, keep up your good work & don't fear them.
We concerned Ugandans are deeply concerned about your posts how can you claim Museveni won convisingly yet we on the ground dont believe on that?
Dont spoil your image infront of ordinary Ugandans by suporting illegitemate government
Iwould like to advice you to keep of Uganda politics
Leave ugandans to fight for their freedom alone who told you we voted for this dictator?
Dont poke your nose into what you dont know much we fight until Museveni is kicked.
He rigged election he is now mudering unarmed civilians, he is brutalising people and your supporting his acts mind you if ugandans can see you physically you can be lyrch watch out your tongue.
If your work is promote dictator then stop coming with your tourist goons to uganda
You sound very much like apologists of the dictatorial regime of President Museveni. Uganda needs ethical and Intergrity-minded tourists, who care about the human rights of the citizens. We are not interested in tourists who come to wine and dine with the killers and torturers of Ugandans. Where have you people been not to see the tragic reality in Museveni's Uganda. I bet you said the same about Tunisia and Egypt. So what are you saying now about Egypt after Mubarak. This is hypocrisy that Uganda can do without.
Dr. Vincent Magombe, Ugandan journalist and broadcaster.
NB: I am going to paste your web page on wider Ugandan FB and internet sites, so that Ugandans can know you a little better.
Excellent article! I've been following your writings on tourism in Uganda and find them fully refreshing and in line with the facts on the ground as we see them in Uganda. The saddest thing is that the "silent majority" who are the vast number of Ugandans, see right through, and vehemently resent, the immature and damaging acts of the opposition, unyet their views are never carried in the mainstream media (incl. international media). The good news is that following the unbelievable antics of some irresponsible opposition leaders yesterday to tarnish Uganda for their own self-seeking purposes, it's only a matter of time now before they seriously overplay their hand. Great article, please keep it up and continue to place your work within easy reach on Google and Google news.
Your well written call for reason from all , and especially the political opposition at this time, is a necessary step that should not be ignored if Uganda and all its peoples are to continue to evolve both an economy and a political future that favors negotiation and consideration for different views over destructive violence. That latter has never proved successful nor provided the people with effective solutions and has marred the past and other countries to no real benefit long term that even the most naive should see if they are truly honest and concerned for their fellow citizens well being. Our thoughts and hopes are with you all for the return of calm with progress, and progress for all.
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