By Reporter
Earlier today, stake holders in the varied economic sectors of Uganda met at Protea Hotel for the breakfast launch of the ROAD TO UGANDANCE Festival. The launch, organized by Silk Events and Bantu Vibes, had major attendance from corporate institutions; cutting across sectors like Banking, Media, Airlines, Entertainment, Breweries, Hotel/ Resort Owners and government agencies.
According to the Project Director of UGANDANCE; Elvis Ssekyanzi, the festival is going to use the varied forms of entertainment and cultural endowment present in the country to promote Uganda as a prime tourism destination.
“We want to harness the power of Entertainment in order to introduce a new caliber of tourists to Uganda. But we can only achieve that if the different sectors realize the power of collaboration. We want to channel a message of unity; and the need for the various economic sectors to step up delivery if we are to achieve that. If the Hospitality sectors are at international levels, the Infrastructural sector, the Airlines and Transport sector; as well as Tourism Marketing Bodies; work in tandem for a common goal of benefitting all the sectors, the UGANDANCE dream will be possible to realize,” Ssekyanzi stated.
Alvin Mbabazi, the Creative Director UGANDANCE reiterated that the festival, a 5 Day event slated for 12th-16th February 2020 in Lake Bunyonyi, Kabale; is about music, dance, culture, heritage and how all those aspects can create a tourism value chain.
“The festival will be an opportunity to promote domestic tourism, atop attracting East African Community tourists to Uganda. We are working with, and hope to attract more hospitality/hotel business owners to make sure that those who participate in the festival get the best accommodation deals at attractive prices,” Mbabazi explained.
In attendance; to corroborate the value proposition of the UGANDANCE fest from the Entertainment Sector; were renowned comedians and Entertainment Industry thought leaders; Patrick Salvador Idringi and Alex Muhangi.
To represent the Tourism sector; the CEO of Uganda Tourism Board Lili Ajarova, and the State Minister for Tourism, Wild Life and Antiquities, Godfrey Kiwanda Ssubi made quite the presentation. He commended the concept, and seconded the notion of collaboration in order to grow the tourism sector.
“New Ideas are the new generation. The tourism industry of Uganda is a product that should have value addition, in order for it to realize its full potential. The UGANDANCE Festival is one such avenue, for Uganda to add value to the varied tourism products,” Kiwanda stated.
