Naava Nabagesera Presiding over Buganda Cultural Expo 2012

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

Buganda 5th tourism expo kicks off Publish Date: Jun 25, 2012

Kabaka Mutebi II and wife Naginda are expected to attend. File Photo newvision By Jeff Lule THE fifth annual Buganda Tourism Expo officialy opens Monday afternoon at the Kabaka's Palace in Lubiri, Mengo, Rubaga division. Rubaga Dvision Mayor Joyce Sebugwawo is to preside over the opening ceremony. The event which is to run up to July 1, 2012 is organized by Buganda Kingdom Tourism Ministry. The Kabaka of Buganda Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II is expected to close the event. This year's event is to run under the theme "Celebrating Our Cultural Diversity". It is aimed at celebrating and promoting diverse culture across the country. It has attracted various activities including live totem display, wild life education, herbal medicine, Buganda clan exhibition, art and crafts and international cultural exhibitions among others. Buganda Kingdom's second deputy premier, also doubling as minister for tourism, Hajji Muhamood Ssemmambo Ssekimpi said it is aimed at promoting a spirit of the tourism enterprise and encouraging people to engage in tourism as an economic activity. Ssekimpi said they also expect to have an exchange of ideas on the links between religion and culture to be chaired by the Archbishop of Kampala Dr. Cyprian Kizito Lwanga.

Others dignitaries expected include the Nnabagereka Slyvia Nagginda on June 29 and Vice President, Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi on June 30 among others.
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Buganda Tourism Expo 2012 on

Buganda Kingdom through the ministry of Tourism has opened the 5th annual Buganda Tourism Expo at Lubiri grounds and it will last for the entire week up to 1st July 2012. In an effort to promote the tourism industry in Buganda and the country at large, the Kingdom through the ministry of tourism introduced a Tourism Expo where various tourists attractions ranging from Arts Crafts to living animals are showcased at Lubiri show grounds every July. According to the 2nd Deputy Katikkiro who also the minister for tourism in Buganda Kingdom, Hajji Muhamood Ssemmambo Ssekimpi, this year Expo will be special in a way that there will be an exchange of ideas by the people to ascertain what links religion and culture to be chaired by Archbishop Dr. Cyprian Kizito Lwanga. The Deputy Katikkiro explained that the Expo to run under the theme Celebrating Our Cultural Diversity is aimed at celebrating and promoting culture through tourism attraction especially through exposing its unique attractions across the world. Hajji Ssemmambo explained further that the Expo aims at promoting a spirit of the tourism enterprise and encouraging people to engage in tourism as an economic activity and as well as a means of wealth for Buganda. He added that through the Expo, the Kingdom intends to recognize tourism as a sustainable tool for cultural conservation and development. He revealed that years tourism Expo is set to attract various activities including a celebrity Chef competition, restaurant exhibition, food nutrition education, live totem display, snake show, camel and donkey rides, wild life education, forest conservation exhibition, fruit tree farming, landscaping, compound designers, decorators, garden shows, herbal medicine, Buganda clan exhibition, international cultural exhibition, cultural fashion show, the inter-cultural and inter-

religious collaborations and many more. The minister of state for tourism Florence Nakiwala Kiyingi explained that by the end of the Expo, the ministry intends to have placed tourism at the forefront of the Kingdoms Economic Agenda as well as unveiling the strategic investment plan. She confirmed that the Expo will be graced by many dignitaries of high caliber including the Kabaka of Buganda Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II who is expected to close the show on 1 Sunday 2012, the Vice President H.E Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi is also expected at the show on Saturday 30th June, 2012 while the Nnabagereka will visit the Expo on 29th June, 2012, Dr. Cyprian Kizito Lwanga and the minister of tourism from the central government Ephraim Kamuuntu among others. The Expo is sponsored by CBS radio, LISA Medical Center, Crown Beverages, Pepisi Cola, Star TV, UBC TV, Uganda Wild Life Education Center, Romis Wine and others.
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Buganda Tourism Expo

The ministry of tourism, the Buganda tourism center and all other ministries in the kingdom of Buganda combine together to organize for an annual exhibition concert at a chosen place. This brings together cultural industrialists and manufacturers and service providers from within Buganda, Uganda and abroad to the debut of their products.

One of the corporate booths during the Buganda Tourism Expo - 2009.

This exhibition is aimed at the recognition of the cultural artists, designers, herbalists, manufacturers and all producers of cultural items. This is for the preservation of our culture as well developing our economy. Book your space for the Buganda Tourism Expo - 2013 Branded as 'the vehicle to development and unity', tourism is now one of the major sectors the Kingdom is looking forward to push in a big chunk of attention. It's thus tourism at the forefront.

A Kob statue displayed at the Expo A culture without a preservative strategy is no different from a decaying tomato. It usually starts from the bottom. There is no doubt the ministry of tourism holds the expo with a view of conserving our culture. The Buganda Tourism Center takes this exhibition to different counties (Amasazza) around the kingdom every year. So the public is always informed about the venue for holding the Expo. During these tourism exhibitions we've seen advancement in displayed items ranging from nature, heritage and wildlife. Including music, dances, foods, lifestyle and architecture. Thanks to all participators.

The skelton of a crocodile Highlights The 2012 Buganda Tourism Expo brought quite a number of new items to the public's eye. These included among others preserved animal skulls, and a three-legged cow among others. There is also a tribute to the exhibitors in every Expo organized and a pictorial preview depicting different scenes pinned up in our art gallery.

Buganda Tourism Expo Highlights Explore the most catching moments of the concluded Buganda Tourism Expo sessions. Find out how, when and what happened.