You are on page 1of 16

2012

PRESTO JUBILEE MARTYRS DAY REPORT 2012

Table of Contents
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY.............................................................................................................................. 1 FORWARD .................................................................................................................................................... 2 INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................................................................... 3 UGANDA NATIONAL MARTYRS SHRINE AT A GLANCE ...................................................................... 3 STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT .............................................................................................................. 5 BRANDING, PUBLICITY AND INFORMATION ....................................................................................... 6 INFRASTRUCTURE ..................................................................................................................................... 8 HEALTH, SANITATION AND HYGIENE .................................................................................................. 9 PROTOCOL AND HOSPITALITY ............................................................................................................. 10 SECURITY .................................................................................................................................................. 11 SITE RESTORATION ................................................................................................................................. 11 FUTURE OUTLOOK/AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT .............................................................................. 12

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Presidential Initiative on Sustainable Tourism (PRESTO) was launched by His. Excellency Yoweri Kaguta Museveni in February 2012 in the United Kingdom. State House through the Presidential Initiative on Sustainable Tourism has weighed in to boost the tourism sector, make quick fixes and gains and leverage from Uganda being voted by Lonely Planet, an independent magazine owned by the BBC as the top tourism destination in the world for 2012. Ugandas tourism sector has increasingly become vibrant over the years largely because of a peaceful, stable and vibrant economy brought by the NRM Government under the visionary leadership of His Excellency Yoweri Kaguta Museveni that has made it possible for business to flourish The Presidential Initiative on Sustainable Tourism spearheaded by Ms. Grace Akello, Ag. Principal Private Secretary to His Excellency the President in order to catalyse the development of Ugandas tourism industry intends to organize and promote various exhibitions and events about tourism, culture, tradition and religion such as Martyrs Day on 3rd June. On 3 June 1886, thirty-two young men, pages of the court of King Mwanga II of Buganda, were burned to death at Namugongo for their refusal to renounce Christianity. Some of the men were of the Anglican faith and others were of the Catholic faith. Before the Christian martyrs, 70 young Muslim men were burnt alive at Namugongo. Annually, on 3rd June, millions of local and foreign pilgrims congregate at Namugongo to commemorate the lives of the Uganda Martyrs and their dedication to their religious beliefs. While these are religious pilgrims, they nevertheless fall within the definition of tourists. Therefore if tapped, the 3rd June Martyrs event, has the potential to contribute significantly to Ugandas domestic and foreign tourism. It is for this reason that PRESTO decided to support the organization and management of the 3rd June Martyrs Day Celebrations starting with this Jubilee Year events. Ms. Grace Akello the Principal Private Secretary to His Excellency the President and Chairperson of the Presidential Initiative on Sustainable Tourism appointed Ms. Naava C. Nabagesera Special Presidential Assistant Political Affairs as PRESTO Coordinator with the first task of overseeing and leading the successful involvement of PRESTO in the 3rd June Martyrs Day event cognizant of the fact that it is critical for Ugandas image that the pilgrims coming to Namugongo experience only the best in terms of their reception and services not forgetting a tourism touch to the whole experience. PRESTO in collaboration with key stakeholders including the Catholic Church, Anglican Church, Uganda Muslim Supreme Council and Uganda Scouts Association prioritized areas critical to the success of 2012 Jubilee Martyrs Day Celebrations Appeals for in-kind support towards Martyrs Day were sent by PRESTO through the Ag PPS To His Excellency the President who Chairs PRESTO to several companies and organizations. Support was received from the private sector, public sector and within Government making the 2012 Jubilee Martyrs Day an orderly and memorable event for pilgrims.

PRESTO Jubilee Martyrs Day 2012 Report

|1

FORWARD
Tourism plays an important role in Ugandas economy. Tourism is one of the fastest growing industries in Uganda. It has grown over the years to become a major source of revenue and also has the potential to even become the economys backbone over the next few years. The Presidential Initiative on Sustainable Tourism (PRESTO) launched by His Excellency Yoweri Kaguta Museveni in February 2012 came to boost the tourism sector, diversify tourist products, initiate and/or tap tourism promotion opportunities through organizing and promoting various exhibitions and events about tourism, culture, tradition and religion like Martyrs Day through the active participation of the private sector. In that vein PRESTO convened a meeting of critical stakeholders on 15th May 2012 at State Lodge Nakasero chaired by the Minister in-charge of the Presidency Hon. Muruli Mukasa and identified areas important for the success of the event and these included: Infrastructure especially access roads to the shrines; Health and Sanitation facilities including toilets and watering places; Painting and beautification of the Shrines infrastructure; Construction of sheds; Provision of marquees for service and display points; Provision of screens and public address systems; Three temporary information centers at the Catholic, Protestant and Muslim Shrines; and Provision of materials for decorations, branding and signage. Several Sub-committees which include Security, Infrastructure, Health and Sanitation, Branding, Publicity and Information, Transport, Hospitality, Protocol and Accommodation were put in place to ensure that this Jubilee Martyrs Day is a special one with high standards of hospitality, infrastructure, security, transport, feeding, health, sanitation and hygiene. The PRESTO subcommittees worked very closely with already existing committees at the Martyrs Shrines. We are very grateful to H.E The President and Ms. Grace Akello, the Principal Private Secretary for spearheading the involvement of PRESTO in the 2012 Martyrs Day Celebrations. The Presidential Initiative on Sustainable Tourism in a special way recognizes and extends its gratitude to the Religious institutions, Government Ministries and Agencies, the Private Sector and the General Public for making this Jubilee Martyrs Day, a very successful and memorable event. It is therefore my pleasure to invite you to read this report and find out more about the involvement of PRESTO, achievements and areas for improvement.

MS. NAAVA C. NABAGESERA SPECIAL PRESIDENTIAL ASSISTANT TO H.E. THE PRESIDENT PRESTO COORDINATOR

PRESTO Jubilee Martyrs Day 2012 Report

|2

INTRODUCTION
The Presidential Initiative on Sustainable Tourism in order to promote religious tourism and due to the potential of the 3rd June Martyrs Day event to contribute significantly to Ugandas domestic and foreign tourism decided to support the organization and management of Martyrs Day celebrations because of the high number of local and foreign pilgrims coming to Namugongo starting with this years Jubilee Martyrs Day. The Jubilee Martyrs Day was truly a special one. Unlike previous martyrs day celebrations that have been dominated by Christians, this year the Muslims also took part in the celebrations. Estimates from the Presidential Initiative on Sustainable Tourism team at the Shrines in Namugongo on 3rd June 2012 indicated that over One Million Five Hundred Thousand Pilgrims (1,500,000) attended this years Martyrs Day Celebrations which were led by Kasana-Luwero Diocese at the Catholic Shrine, North Ankole Diocese at the Anglican Shrine and Uganda Muslim Supreme Council at the Muslim Shrine. According to the Principal Private Secretary Ms. Grace Akello, the involvement of the Presidential Initiative on Sustainable Tourism during this years Martyrs Day celebration is a first step towards developing and transforming the shrines from just being properties owned by the religious institutions to a national tourist attraction site promoted as the Uganda National Martyrs Shrine Namugongo, comprising of the Anglican, Catholic and Muslim shrines thereby attracting local and foreign persons interested in religious tourism leading to creation of employment opportunities and generation of income for the development of the Martyrs Shrines.

PRESTO Jubilee Martyrs Day 2012 Report

|3

UGANDA NATIONAL MARTYRS SHRINE AT A GLANCE


THE CATHOLIC SHRINE From far, the eyes cannot fail to catch the sight of a whitish pinnacle towering the normally blue sky. As one approaches, one is gripped by that special feel of a godly environment, with a heroic atmosphere of the Martyrs given by the imposing giant structure of a shrine. This is Namugongo where now people flock daily in tens and thousands to honour and pray to God through the intercession of the twenty two Uganda Martyrs. This Uganda Martyrs Minor Basilica/Shrine is a Catholic church dedicated to the Martyrs of Uganda who shed their blood because of the Christian faith. The Uganda Martyrs Basilica/Shrine is built at the spot where St. Charles Lwanga was burnt alive. In the Middle of the Catholic Shrine is the Uganda Martyrs Lake and Pavilion where Mass attended by millions of domestic and foreign pilgrims is celebrated on Martyrs Day, June 3rd every year.

THE ANGLICAN SHRINE The Church of Uganda (Anglican) Martyrs Shrine is Martyrdom site where 25 young boys, 13 Anglicans and 12 Roman Catholics were mutilated, and burnt alive for rejecting the executioners persuasion to renounce their faith in Jesus Christ.

THE MUSLIM SHRINE Unlike previous Martyrs day celebrations that have been dominated by Christians, this Jubilee Martyrs Day with the mobilization of PRESTO, the Muslim community also took part in the celebrations. The history of the Uganda Christian Martyrs is a well-known tale of intrigue and murder. It tells the story of 45 young men, who willingly surrendered their lives for the sake of their religious beliefs. Likewise 70 young Muslim men were burnt alive at Namugongo making them the largest number of Martyrs killed at Namugongo.

PRESTO Jubilee Martyrs Day 2012 Report

|4

STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT
Martyrs Day is a key religious event celebrated both nationally and internationally. Annually several stakeholders are involved in the preparation of the celebrations. The Presidential Initiative on Sustainable Tourism therefore decided to identify critical stakeholders who were engaged on 15th May 2012 in a meeting at the State Lodge Nakasero at the invitation of Ms. Grace Akello, the Principal Private Secretary to discuss the organization and management of the Martyrs Day Celebrations. During this consultative meeting, the stakeholders decided to among other things make appeals to institutions and enterprises to make a contribution to the success of this years Martyrs Day arrangements at Namugongo. The stakeholders meeting observed that critical to this success were 8 areas that included: (i) Infrastructure especially access roads to the shrines; (ii) Health and Sanitation facilities including toilets and watering places; (iii) Painting and beautification of the Shrines infrastructure; (iv) Construction of sheds; (v) Provision of marquees for service and display points; (vi) Provision of screens and public address systems; (vii) Three temporary Information Centres at the Shrines; and (viii) Provision of materials for decorations, branding and signage. To tackle the above critical issues and to bring on board more stakeholders, PRESTO formed 8 committees with guiding terms of reference. These committees were the: 1. Security Committee chaired by Col. Ronnie Barya, Internal Security Organization; 2. Infrastructure Committee chaired by Mr. Moses Dhizaala, National Planning Authority; 3. Health and Sanitation Committee chaired by Dr. Asuman Lukwago, Ministry of Health; 4. Branding, Publicity and Information chaired by Ms. Naava Nabagesera, State House; 5. Transport Committee chaired by ACP Okoshi Simon Peter, Tourism Police; 6. Hospitality Committee chaired by Mr. Cuthbert Baguma, Uganda Tourism Board; 7. Protocol Committee chaired by Mr. Elly Kamuhingye, Ministry of Foreign Affairs; and 8. Accommodation Committee chaired by Mr. Sekandi, Uganda Hotels Association. Other Ministries, Government Agencies and important stakeholders were members of the committees most notably the Anglican Church, Catholic Church, Uganda Muslim Supreme Council, Uganda Scouts Association, Wakiso District Local Government, Kiira Town Council, Brussels Airlines and the Association of Uganda Tour Operators. The Principal Private Secretary Ms. Grace Akello chaired 3 joint PRESTO Martyrs Day Committee meetings on 17th May 2012, 21st May 2012 and 29th May 2012. The Committees individually also held several meetings as well as working very closely with the National Preparatory Committees of the Catholic and Anglican Churches. M/s. Naava Nabagesera was appointed by the Principal Private Secretary to His Excellency the President to coordinate the involvement of the different stakeholders.

PRESTO Jubilee Martyrs Day 2012 Report

|5

BRANDING, PUBLICITY AND INFORMATION


The goal of the PRESTO Branding, Publicity and Information was to give the Martyrs Day event a national outlook with a religious perspective in order to bring about national pride as well as promotion of the Martyrs Shrine as a tourist destination. Under the leadership of Ms. Naava Nabagesera the PRESTO Branding, Publicity and Information committee held several meetings and reached out to the private sector for support towards the marketing and promotion of Martyrs Day. The Religious Institutions had mainly focused on the religious celebrations but not the promotion of the event through branding and publicity which provided both an opportunity and a challenge to the PRESTO Branding, Publicity and Information Committee that was already faced with time and financial constraints. Branding PRESTO branded Welcome to the Martyrs Day Banners and Billboards were used for branding. With the financial support from Uganda Wildlife Authority, Kakira Sugar Works and Uganda Scouts Association 8 PRESTO Banners were strategically set-up at Entebbe International Airport, Busia Border, Malaba Border, Jinja Owen Falls Dam, Shoprite Entebbe Road, Bwaise Flyover bridge, Mityana Road and Busega. The Committee was also able to place 5 billboards at Kampala Road, Wandegeya, Kibuye, Nsambya and Nakawa. These banners and billboards were strategically located as they covered all persons flying via Entebbe, all persons entering or exiting Malaba and Busia borders, all persons passing through Owen Falls Dam, Entebbe Road, Queens Way, Kampala Road, Masaka Road, Mityana Road and Bombo Road. The Scouts helped set-up all banners. Publicity The aim of the publicity was to raise nationwide awareness about the importance of Martyrs day through press conferences, talk shows (radio and television), and newspaper advertorial with the traffic flow plan. With support from the Uganda Media Centre, Uganda Broadcasting Corporation, the New Vision and several media houses, the Committee was able to hold a press conference, radio and television talk shows and advertorial in the newspapers. PRESTO representatives led by Ms. Naava Nabagesera as Coordinator, Ministry of Tourism, Police and Religious Institutions participated in the media publicity of the Martyrs Day event. PRESTO t-shirts and tags were also produced to enhance visibility.

PRESTO Jubilee Martyrs Day 2012 Report

|6

On 3rd June 2012, Uganda Broadcasting Corporation provided a live broadcast of the celebrations at the Anglican Martyrs Shrine. On the same date Visual Investments provided LED Screens and Public Address Systems at the Shrines. With the live broadcast even those who were not able to come to Namugongo followed the events at home. The LED Screens and Public Address systems helped even those pilgrims not close to the pavilion to follow the events closely. Information The Committee produced PRESTO flyers and 3 PRESTO Information Centres were established, 2 at the Catholic Shrine and 1 at the Anglican Shrine. These Centres were managed by the PRESTO team including Uganda Tourism Board and Uganda Wildlife Authority. Brussels Airlines provided a tent for one of the information centres and several pilgrims especially the foreign pilgrims who visited the information centres applauded the initiative.

The Presidential Initiative on Sustainable Tourism would like to appreciate the dedication and commitment of the following members of the Branding, Publicity and Information Committee: 1. Ms. Naava Nabagesera, State House; 2. Mr. Ofumbi Joseph, P/S Economic Affairs, State House 3. Mr. Stephen Masaba, Uganda Wildlife Authority; 4. Mr. Robert Okware P/S Youth, State House 5. Mr. Moses Engadu and Mr. Conrad Natse, Uganda Scouts Association; 6. Ms. Suzanne Othieno, Brussels Airlines;

PRESTO Jubilee Martyrs Day 2012 Report

|7

INFRASTRUCTURE
The Presidential Initiative for Sustainable Tourism Infrastructure Committee that was led by Mr. Moses Dhizaala of National Planning Authority had the daunting task of addressing critical infrastructure issues such as improvement of access roads to the Martyrs shrines, construction of sheds, painting and beautification of the shrines, provision of tents, leveling of pot holes on the roads, electricity poles and installation of lights.

With the support of the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA), the Presidential Initiative on Sustainable Tourism was able to grade all access roads to Namugongo Martyrs Shrines, fill and tarmac the roads in the Anglican shrines. After persistent calls by the Principal Private Secretary to the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Energy Mr. Kaliisa, UMEME was able to provide 46 electricity poles and installed security lights at the Catholic, Anglican and Muslim Shrines for which we are sincerely grateful. Working with National Water and Sewerage Corporation, the Presidential Initiative on Sustainable Tourism treated and provided free drinking water for the pilgrims in the Martyrs Shrines at Namugongo. Several watering points were set-up so that pilgrims could easily access water. Crestanks provided tanks for storing the drinking water and hand washing stations.

16 tents of 100-seater capacity and 1,600 Chairs were provided by the Presidential Initiative on Sustainable Tourism to the Anglican Shrine.

The Presidential Initiative on Sustainable Tourism painted and beautified the Shrines at Namugongo with support from Tropical Bank Limited, Sadolin Paints and BTL.

PRESTO Jubilee Martyrs Day 2012 Report

|8

HEALTH, SANITATION AND HYGIENE


The Presidential Initiative on Sustainable Tourism Health, Sanitation and Hygiene Committee chaired by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health was charged with the responsibility of making sure that health and sanitation facilities especially toilets and hand washing facilities were in place. The Committee was also to ensure that fumigation is done, drinking water is available and the Martyrs Lake is chlorinated so that pilgrims who choose to drink it as holy water. Maintaining sanitation and hygiene was critical to avert an epidemic since there were to be over 1,500,000 pilgrims over a period of two to three days. The Presidential Initiative on Sustainable Tourism with support from the Ministry of Health and Uganda Police Force provided medical and emergency services. First Aid was provided by the Scouts and all incidents including the female pilgrim who fell in the Martyrs Lake were handled appropriately by the Scouts and Health teams on site.

The Presidential Initiative on Sustainable Tourism and the Ministry of Health provided mobile toilets about 50 in number, toilet paper and soap for hand washing to all the three Shrines. The Scouts managed the sanitation and hand washing facilities. The Martyrs Lake was also chlorinated and National Water and Sewerage Corporation treated the drinking water at Namugongo providing for the first time free safe drinking water to the pilgrims.

The Presidential Initiative on Sustainable Tourism with support from Kampala Capital City Authority provided bins for garbage management. Throughout the Martyrs Day celebrations the Scouts were responsible for collecting and safely disposing the garbage.

PRESTO Jubilee Martyrs Day 2012 Report

|9

PROTOCOL AND HOSPITALITY


On Protocol, the Presidential Initiative on Sustainable Tourism prioritized giving the Martyrs Day event a National Character with an International Perspective. The Presidential Initiative on Sustainable Tourism Protocol committee liaised with the Catholic Church and Anglican Church protocol committees to manage the programme of the day and designating the sitting arrangement especially of the VIPs and foreign pilgrims. PRESTO supported by the Scouts helped in securing and guiding accredited guests to their sitting places ensuring that the invited guests and foreign pilgrims had places to

sit.

The Presidential Initiative on Sustainable Tourism set up reception tents in the Shrines so that pilgrims could rest. It was at these rest tents that Scouts administered first aid for those pilgrims in need. These reception tents also doubled as accommodation tents especially for pilgrims who had trekked and arrived on 1st June 2012.

PRESTO Jubilee Martyrs Day 2012 Report

|10

SECURITY
This years Martyrs Day Celebrations in Namugongo were marked under tight security with the Police helicopter hovering over. There was an unprecedented deployment by security agencies. Supported by the 1,000 Scouts deployment all pilgrims entering the Catholic and Anglican Shrines queued and we subjected to through security checks. The Scouts also managed crowds, clearing walk ways to ensure that the processions were uninterrupted and supporting the traffic police in directing traffic.

The Martyrs Day Celebrations attended by over one million five hundred thousand pilgrims took place without any major security incident amidst big threats.

SITE RESTORATION
With the large numbers of pilgrims involved, the Presidential Initiative on Sustainable Tourism was concerned about the environmental impact as well as the huge amounts of waste that shall be generated during the Martyrs Day Celebrations. Site restoration was very important and the Presidential Initiative on Sustainable Tourism working with Uganda Scouts Association carried out site cleaning and waste disposal at the Anglican and Catholic Shrines leaving the shrines clean. If you visited the shrines on 5th June 2012, you would not believe that over one million people had stayed there over the previous 3 days and to demonstrate leadership in action Ms, Naava C. Nabagesera, Special Presidential Assistant to His Excellency the President put her best foot forward and led by example in the whole preparation till the cleaning process.

PRESTO Jubilee Martyrs Day 2012 Report

|11

FUTURE OUTLOOK/AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT


The Presidential Initiative on Sustainable Tourism strives to ensure that all Pilgrims to the Martyrs Day celebrations go back blessed and with a smile. To achieve this there are areas identified for improvement and future action and these include: 1. Marketing and Promotion of the Uganda National Martyrs Shrine Namugongo. As we strive to promote transform our shrines into a national tourist attraction site that shall be visited by tourists all year round it is therefore very important that the Uganda National Martyrs Shrine is promoted nationally and internationally through: International Scout Events/Jamborees that are always attended by over 30,000 Scouts from 160 countries; Tourism exhibitions; Trade fairs and exhibitions; Information desk at all Ugandas High Commissions and Consulates; and Online promotion through development of a website covering the Anglican, Catholic and Muslim Shrines, Social Media and online banners running on all Government websites which is cost effective PRESTO website disseminating information. 2. Branding. To build the hype and national pride about Martyrs day it is important that the branding extends to all border points and strategically located districts i.e. districts where major routes intersect. It is therefore important that permanent PRESTO billboards and flyover towers are erected for this purpose. Erecting PRESTO owned billboards and fly-over towers is cost effective in the long run and would also lead to the beautification of the sites where especially the fly-over towers are erected. The proposed locations for the permanent PRESTO billboards and fly-over towers are: Entebbe, Malaba, Busia, Katuna, Mutukula, Koboko and Nimule border points. Owen Falls Dam Jinja, Karuma Kiryandongo, Nakalama Iganga, Nkoma Mbale, Awoja - Soroti, Masaka, Mbarara, Mityana, Bombo, Nansana. 3. Publicity. To raise awareness nationwide about the Martyrs Day event: The Media should be engaged intensively from the Month of April to June. Live broadcasts on a rotational basis should be continued i.e. this year it was the Anglican Shrine and so next year it should be at the Catholic Shrine At least 20 Outdoor (LED) Screens for the Catholic Shrine and 10 for the Anglican shrine should be in place during the Martyrs day celebrations. 4. Infrastructure. The following infrastructural improvements are required: Anglican Shrine - Beautification of the Shrine - Establishment of a reception/information point for registration, guidance and payments by tourists visiting the Shrines. - Construction of drainage system - Putting up 50,000 litre capacity tanks for drinking water and 5 watering places for use during the Martyrs Day celebrations - Mapping, construction and tarmacing of walk ways - Electricity Poles and Lighting - Tarmacing of the roads within the shrine - Construction of a permanent market area - Construction of an arena or cement benches to organize sitting arrangement and increase the sitting capacity of the Shrines - Fencing off the Shrine
PRESTO Jubilee Martyrs Day 2012 Report |12

Catholic Shrine - Beautification of the Shrine - Establishment of a reception/information point for registration, guidance and payments by tourists visiting the Shrines. - Construction of drainage system - Putting up 100,000 litre capacity tanks for drinking water and 10 watering places for use during the Martyrs day celebrations - Mapping, fixing side bars and tarmacing of walk ways - Electricity Poles and Lighting - Construction of a permanent market area - Construction of shed/improvement of the Altar/pavilion and current VIP/religious sheds. The Altar/pavilion could be expanded to accommodate 1,000 or more Priests. This could be done before the 2013 Martyrs day. - Construction of an arena or cement benches to organize sitting arrangement and increase the sitting capacity of the Shrines (long term) Muslim Shrine - Beautification, refurbishment and furnishing of the Shrine - Establishment of a reception/information point for registration, guidance and payments by tourists visiting the Shrines. - Construction of 2 waterborne toilet (10 stanzas) and showering facilities. 5. Health, Sanitation and Hygiene. For better Health, Sanitation and Hygiene Management during the Martyrs Day celebrations, the following should be done: Public Health Education should be a priority Construction of 10 waterborne toilets (20 stanzas) at the Catholic Shrine, 5 waterborne toilets (20 stanzas) at the Anglican Shrine and 2 waterborne toilets (10 stanzas) at the Muslim Shrine. Alongside the toilets should be the urinal facilities. Places for bathing/showers are very necessary since pilgrims start arriving in Namugongo on 25th May Permanent hand washing stations alongside toilets should be put in place Waste should be disposed properly and/or recycled The Martyrs lake should be cleaned up thoroughly 6. Protocol. Introduction of a centralized accreditation system for VIPs, the Diocese leading the Celebrations and foreign pilgrims is important for ease of management of the sitting arrangement. The accreditation should start at the beginning of May which could encourage early arrivals of especially foreign pilgrims giving them the opportunity to visit other tourist sites before coming back to Namugongo.

PRESTO Jubilee Martyrs Day 2012 Report

|13

7.

Hospitality. Reception tents and permanent cooking places for pilgrims who come early should be put in place. These reception tents could also become the sleeping tents for those pilgrims that cant afford hotel accommodation.

8. Capacity Building of Scouts. Being an important national event, Uganda Scouts Association has integrated the Martyrs Day Celebrations into its annual national event programme. To contribute better towards Martyrs Day and Tourism in general, Uganda Scouts Association is establishing a Tourism Scouts unit that will be focused on tourism promotion and tourism service delivery. In Scouting, particular specialist Scouts units are formed from time to time responding to specific interests and needs for example we have the Sea Scouts and Air Scouts and now the Tourism Scouts. Uganda Scouts Association has initiated a selection process of 20 Scouts from each district totaling to 2,340 Scouts for 117 districts (who will be trained and initiated as Tourism Scouts a specialized Scout unit that can be used at the districts, nationally and internationally. For the case of Martyrs Day, these Tourism Scouts will be reporting to Namugongo on 20th May, set-up camp up to 8th June. The Presidential Initiative on Sustainable Tourism will support the capacity building of these Tourism Scouts in terms of training on tourism promotion, crowd control, protocol management, safety and security, health, sanitation and hygiene and emergency preparedness and response. The Presidential Initiative on Sustainable Tourism will work with partners to ensure that the Scouts are well equipped with a Scouts-owned ambulance and first aid equipment. PRESTO will also ensure that these Tourism Scouts are accredited, are provided with uniforms and scarves and have facilitation for transport and per diem.

Compiled By M/S. Naava Nabagesera PRESTO CO-ORDINATOR Special Presidential Assistant to H.E The President/Political Affairs PRESTO Jubilee Martyrs Day 2012 Report |14

You might also like