‘Uganda Night’ to boost trans-boundary tourism between Uganda and Rwanda

By Elias Hakizimana.

A new inter-cultural event dubbed ‘Uganda Night’ with the theme: ‘Explore Uganda’ was held in Kigali last night on June 18, 2022 to raise awareness on how trans-boundary tourism between Rwanda and Uganda can get a boosted.

Speaking during the event, Rtd. Maj. Gen. Robert Rusoke, Uganda’s High Commissioner to the Republic of Rwanda said that the night was also in line with celebrating the Government of the Republic of Rwanda for accepting to host CHOGM 2022.

“The one visa policy instituted by the EAC has helped to boost international trans-boundary tourism trade between Rwanda and Uganda with a number of tour operators having branch offices in the two countries. Therefore, Uganda’s participation in CHOGM 2022 Exhibition Kigali with other accompanying activities like rebranding Chancery Building, road show and road trip will provide a low-cost promotion of Uganda’s new brand “Explore Uganda” and communicate to CHOGM 20022 delegates about the trans-boundary products and therefore take an experiential road trip to Uganda to see these products,” he said.

Rtd. Gen. Robert Rusoke added that the initiative will encourage CHOGM delegates who want to extend their stay and cross to Uganda for further tourism experience.

“This will also help to sell the new brand and improve the perception and image of the country internationally,” he noted.

He commended efforts of the team at Kigali High Commission led by the Deputy Head of Mission Miss Anne Katusiime for having conceptualized the idea of Uganda Night.

“This collaboration should continue for the good of our countries. I wish to suggest that this event should be held annually as it promotes social and cultural diplomacy. I am convinced that tourism is trans-verbal in nature and a stimulus to other sectors in our economies. I encourage the tour operators present to strengthen partnership and collaboration in order to promote national and regional tourism in our economies, he added.

The Uganda Night ceremony was sponsored by various partners including Uganda Tourism Board, Uganda Peoples’ Defense Forces, Nile Breweries, and Uganda Breweries.

Ambassador Monique Mukaruliza, Strategic Advisor in Rwanda’s Ministry for Foreign Affairs said it was good to hold the event one day before CHOGM.

“This is a good moment for us to reflect on vast opportunities and natural enrollment to our region. Uganda in particular has numerous beautiful sceneries, heritage sites and diverse culture. On the broader scale, all East African countries share common natural features, and every country in the East African Community has something unique to offer, but our potentials are under-utilized because of intentional barriers,” Mukaruliza said in her speech.

“So far, international tourists need multiple choice visa to enter some partner states. Movements of local tourists is restricted by non- acceptance of identity cards to enter some partner states. When tourists visit some countries in the region, they cannot easily reach their families, there are cheap loaming telephone services, these are unnecessary and unprofitable barriers,” Mukaruliza added.

Removal of the barriers to cross the borders

“Complete removal of these barriers of the tourism sector and movements of people in the East African community is overdue. Our leaders have instructed us to remove these barriers. That is why innovative instruments like the East African Single-Tourist Visa, East African Tourism Platform, Use of National Identity Card to cross the borders, harmonization of loaming charges in one are network have been put in place.” Mukaruliza said.

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