Destination Uganda participated in the last Akwaaba African Travel Market, the leading Pan-African Tourism Expo, which was hosted as a 2-day virtual event due to the prevailing circumstances, occasioned by COVID-19. The first day featured the MICE Conference on September 21, 2020.
Along with South Africa, Rwanda, Kenya and Ghana who are among the leading MICE destinations on the continent, Uganda had a presentation, as the panelists took on the topic: Is MICE a Viable Pathway for Tourism Recovery in Africa? Leading MICE expert, Rick Taylor was keynote speaker, while the respected Alain St. Ange of Seychelles made a brief appearance.
Uganda is 73rd globally and 6th in Africa, according to the 2019 ICCA ranking. Here, we attempt an evaluation and breakdown of the presentation delivered by Bradford Ochieng, Deputy-CEO of Uganda Tourism Board (UTB).
Uganda in Brief & its Pristine Conference Location
In size, Uganda is about 236,040 sq km (approx size of UK, Ghana, Romania, Laos, Guyana, US State of Oregon). It is landlocked in the heart of Africa, along the equator.
Uganda is referred to as the Pearl of Africa because of its diverse natural endowments and beauty; and the tag was bestowed on it by Winston Churchill.
As at 2019, the population was approx. 42 million people.
It has 64 tribes living in harmony, and is regarded as the world’s most diverse nation only after Papua New Guinea, Tanzania and D.R. Congo.
Uganda has a rich flora and fauna, boasting over 11% of the global bird diversity, which is 50% of Africa’s bird species richness.
It also has 7% of the global mammal diversity (39% of Africa’s mammal); 19% of Africa’s Amphibian species, and 14% of Africa’s Reptile species. In addition, Uganda has the largest mountain gorilla population in the world at 54% (over 400 of them).
Less than 900 gorillas survive in the world today.
Uganda is home to the longest river in the world, River Nile which starts its journey in Jinja, Uganda.
It also has Lake Victoria, the world’s largest tropical freshwater lake. At 68,800km², it’s also the second largest freshwater lake in the world after Lake Superior in North America.
At present, Uganda has a Baha’i Temple, the only one of its kind in Africa and one of nine in the world. The country has a liberalized economy which means all investors are welcome.
To be continued…
