TOURISM INDUSTRY IN WESTNILE STRUGGLING TO DEVELOP AMID FUNDING GAPS

Lugbara cultural group performing their traditional dance during the world tourism day celebrations in Arua city. Courtesy Photo.

By Anslem Ojaru

Arua City

The tourism sector in Arua city is grappling with under development as tourism sites earmarked for development are still lagging behind with untapped potentials.

The tourism officer of Arua central division Sandra Bako  states that about 20 tourism sites that were earmarked for development  during the world tourism day celebrations in Arua city on 27th of September last year still remain untouched .

“In Arua city central and Ayivu we have like about 20, like natural attractions, religious and then manmade we and planned to develop the museum at the side of giligili and the Omabaci massacre site which is in plan  that is the side of Ayivu and in  the city centre we planned to develop Opova cultural site .”

Andama Ferua the Minister of culture and tourism Lugbara Kari task Ministry of Tourism Wildlife and Antiquities pushes for increase of funds for the development of local tourism sites.

“Locally we are trying to have meetings with regional tourism officer so that some of these site can be started, whether it is small or not we would want to start these are sites really that can be developed but nobody is thinking about them as of now but because of the constrain of resources we have not been able to put in the budget so that we can implement them.”

Silas Anguzu who represents the private sector on Arua city tourism committee says there is need for systematic approach to unlock the tourism potential in the region.

“You have noticed there are very many promises which are being made they are not tied down to any specific document tourism starts with us the locals, the sites we have listed are close to 200 all these must be developed concurrently but let’s not do things hurriedly but let follow a process.”

The Ministry of Tourism Wildlife and Antiquities noted that West Nile Region has about 41 natural, cultural and manmade sites that need to be developed.

Written by newsroom-radiopacis