Ambassador Jan Sadek, the head of the European Union Delegation to Uganda, gets a traditional welcome from Crane Performers. PHOTOS/COURTESY/ROMANTIC MEDIA
As the world gravitates towards the ease technology has made in accessing information, Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) in partnership with TotalEnergies EP Uganda, launched an application called Explore Uganda where tourists and travellers will now be able to access information about the unique and diverse attractions in Destination Uganda.
Speaking before an audience of different stakeholders in the tourism sector in the country that turned up at Mestil Hotel & Residences in Kampala, the chief executive officer (CEO) of UTB, Lilly Ajarova, said the app is a comprehensive travel companion designed to transform how travellers explore Uganda.
“With features such as detailed destination guides, real-time event updates, interactive maps, and personalised itineraries, the app ensures that travellers can effortlessly discover Uganda’s natural beauty, rich heritage, and diverse culture. This app supports our strategy of positioning Uganda as a top global tourism destination, using technology to make our world-class attractions and authentic experiences accessible and engaging for all.”
One of the evening’s distinguished panelist’s, Dennis Ntege, observed that marketing has evolved from traditional one-way to internet two-way marketing, which is more timely, engaging and factual.
“So, any business or destination that wants to scale up, needs to invest in modern technology. We have plenty of in-roads for our marketing and one of them is digital marketing. The way travellers plan, book and experience tourism has evolved,” Ntege explained.
The Explore Uganda app was developed by Lisa Kaitesi as the product lead at Kolaborate Platforms, Patra Higenyi Namulwa and Nora Oyiengo as UI UX designers and Mary Adeti Crescentia as a developer.
The team of ladies that developed the Explore Uganda App.
They were supported by Edna Nakajugo as the project coordinator from Outbox, an entrepreneurship, innovation and technology infrastructure company.
“By supporting the development of this app, we are proud to contribute to the digitisation of Uganda’s tourism industry while providing young tech professionals with opportunities to create essential applications,” TotalEnergies EP Uganda’s
Biodiversity director, Pauline MacRonald, said.
She expressed hope that the Explore Uganda app will transform information access and serve as an online marketplace for community-based tourism enterprises, tour operators, and potential investors to share and access information on a global scale.
With the app, a tourist will discover the majestic Murchison Falls to the lush Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, home of the mountain gorillas, the serene Lake Bunyonyi, the vibrant streets of Kampala and more.
The night’s emcee, Dr Mitch Egwang, asked each speaker to disclose their favourite attraction in Uganda, and; travel blogger Charlotte Beauvoisin named Kabale Forest for its nature and home to elephants and hooting chimpanzees, Raft Uganda’s Dennis Ntege said River Nile for its therapeutic beauty and playing host to adventure junkies who go white water rafting and UTB’s deputy board chairperson, Ron Kawamara mentioned Kampala for its vibrant nightlife and food offerings, including the yummy rolex.
The board’s chairperson, Pearl Kakooza mentioned Bunyaruguru for its unique crater lakes, including one shaped like the African map, and the fact that her husband, Bart Kakooza, is born there.
As guests listened and appreciated the new development, Crane Performers provided traditional dance and songs. Dinner was later served. The app can be downloaded from google Playstore and will soon be available on iOS as well.
