Uganda has lost approximately 2bUSD from tourism industry since the outbreak of Covid 19 in the country and world at large.This has revealed by the state minister for tourism Godfrey Kiwanda Ssuubi at Uganda media center Kampala ahead of cerebrating “world tourism day” to be held on 27th September 2020, at Fortportal where main celebrations will take palace under the theme
“Tourism and rural community development”.Kiwanda says in the last financial year of 2019/2020, tourism contributed 10% of country’s GDP, and generated 1.6bUSD to the economic development of the country.He adds that, the country will cerebrate this day commencing on 24th September, with the observation of SOPs as a measure to fight against the transmission of Covid 19, and various prominent tourism areas will be visited like Kasese, Mubende, Kibaale among others.
“Uganda has lost a lot of money from Tourism sector due to covid 19 pandemic which led the lockdown of many sectors, but amidst government’s plan to reopen airport, tourism will soon be revamped, he said”. Kiwanda pointed out floods as another factor which has also affected tourism sector, however he urged the public to be vigilant with covid19, as they observe ministry of health directives and guidelines ahead of general elections 2021.
Meanwhile Kiwanda lashed at the ruling NRM party members who lost in the just recent party primaries to calm down and support their colleagues instead threatening to come back as independent.
