World Bank team led by Ms. Mukami Karuiki the Country Manager together with Qursum Qasim, private sector specialist, finance, competitiveness and innovation met with Uganda Tourism Board representatives to lay synergies on areas of support to tourism industry in Uganda.
UTB Chairman Board of Directors Hon. Daudi Migereko, and other members of the Board that included Vice chairman Mrs. Suzan Muhwezi, Mr. Eddy Kirya, Ms. Yogi Birigwa, UTB CEO Lilly Ajarova and management staff of the institution were all in attendance.
In order to revamp investments that help the sector recover, Hon. Migereko explained the need to support funding of the tourism plans and initiatives by the World Bank. This, he noted would go a long way to facilitate the economic recovery of the sector to its pole position before the global pandemic.
“In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, the government of Uganda and tourism industry players are investing heavily in the sector’s recovery. However, there is a lot of short falls that require external funding to be able to successfully implement the recovery plans,”nHon. Daudi Migereko noted. He requested the World Bank to extend affordable credit financing solutions to support tourism sector players who are grappling with effects arising from the pandemic orchestrated by losses businesses endured during the COVID 19.
UTB CEO Lilly Ajarova briefed the delegates on the unveiling of the country’s refreshed new brand identity, Explore Uganda – The Pearl of Africa as the face of destination Uganda and plans to roll out the brand countrywide. UTB through the new rebrand will tell the story of Uganda as a destination to explore for an adventure of a lifetime.