A new report by Consulate General of Uganda in Mombasa, Paul Mukumbya, has revealed that the number of Kenyan tourists who visited Uganda shot from 336,294 in 2021 to 376,294 in December 2022.
According to the report, the jump of about 40,000 is attributed to different events taking place in Uganda such as golf and rugby tournaments, festivals, and music concerts.
Further, the report revealed that Kenya is Uganda’s leading source of tourists.
On the other hand, Uganda is Kenya’s second largest source of market for tourists.
“For Ugandans, the main reason for visiting Kenya is to enjoy beaches and coastal scenery and features, attend meetings and also for educational purposes,” said Mukumbya.
Also, Mukumbya said there is an increasing number of Ugandans who visit Kenya to have their weddings and spend their honeymoon.
Golf & Rugby Events
Uganda has various golf events running throughout the year.
At the center of it, the events by the Uganda Golf Union seek to position Uganda as a tourist destination.
Top of this list is Uganda Golf Club which has all the golf amenities including a driving range, as well as putting and chipping areas.
In addition, there is a bar and restaurant to enjoy even when tourists just want to socialize.
Also, the Uganda Golf Club have sponsored events every week for tourists to enjoy.
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Additionally, there is Uganda Golf Safaris, a division Travel 256 Ltd, Uganda’s premier travel company specializing in offering world class Golfing experience in Uganda and beyond.
Uganda Golf Safaris partners with the best hotels, golf clubs and Airlines to provide lasting memories in all golfing destination tourists visit.
Further, they offer tailor-made golf tours & safaris to suit each client’s interests in terms of golf course they would like to use, accommodation type, transportation, and extra activities they wish to enjoy.
One of the main rugby events is the annual Nile Special Rugby 7s Series.
The series is held in various parts of the country and at times is named differently.
Uganda Festivals
1.Festival of the Ugandan Martyrs
Every year on June 3, the church celebrates the feast of the Ugandan Martyrs.
St. Charles Lwanga and his Companions, 22 Catholics and 23 Anglicans, were tortured and killed for their faith in Uganda between 1885 and 1887.
This day has become a National Day of Celebration in Uganda and throughout East Africa.
The largest celebration is a Mass at Namugongo where the Basilica Shrine of the Uganda Martyrs sits.
Millions of people attend this Mass each year and many of those people make a pilgrimage to the site, arriving on foot from all over Uganda and from as far away as Kenya, Rwanda and Tanzania.
2.The Nile Festival
This celebration lasts a week and is one of the most popular Ugandan festivals with the highest attendance.
It takes place in early August in Jinja, and it centers on the rich and diverse cultures of the people that live on the shores of the river Nile.
Art and the cultural tradition of Uganda, as well as the cultures from the rest of Africa, mix to offer a great cultural program which is full of music, dance, theatre, folklore, storytelling, and gastronomy, as well as live shows.
Also, it has a parade along the streets, children’s activities and dance workshops. It is, without doubt, a wonderful opportunity to discover the tribes of the whole of Uganda from close.
3.This is Uganda Festival
This annual festival is to highlight the diverse cultures throughout Uganda through art, music, poetry, and dance, with an emphasis on female artists.
Each December thousands come to Kampala’s Kyandondo Rugby Club to watch some phenomenal live performances.
The festival also has a lounge area where festival goers can socialize, as well as booths that promote woman’s rights, education, and HIV/AIDS awareness.
Music Concerts & Events
Further, there are festivals that are focused on the country’s growing arts and music scene.
Each September, this popular three-day festival takes place at the Uganda National Theatre in Kampala’s city center.
The festival focuses on arts and culture in Uganda and is necessary for all visitors hoping to learn more about the music and art scene of the country.
This festival has grown to become the country’s number one festival, in which Kampala truly comes to life.
Moreover, the festival brings music, film, dance, theater, and visual arts together under one roof, and highlight not only local artists but those from other East African counties as well.
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Still, the biggest event by far is the Bayimba International Festival of Music and Arts, which displays the country’s best music, dance, and theater.
The Bayimba International Festival of the Arts is a five-day Festival that is held at Bayimba Foundation’s new home known as Lunkulu Island which is located off the shores of Lake Victoria in Mukono and Buikwe district.
Like every August, the Festival hosts its ever-growing audience offering them an unforgettable experience in Music, Dance, Poetry, Comedy, Film, Fashion, exhibitions, games,nd camping in nature.
Jazz and hip-hop are at the top of their game in Uganda and its festivals displays.
