With the launch of the digital led Tourism campaign dubbed Take on the pearl with love in February 2021, Uganda Tourism Board is on a mission to promote domestic and encourage Ugandans and the rest of the world to visit and enjoy the pearl of Africa.
UTB is also determined to revive the tourism industry from the negative effects of corona virus pandemic. Last weekend (26 th -28 th February, 2021) UTB hosted the second winners’ trip where Gad Rogers Tusiime with a group of his friends were treated to an all paid expense trip to the eastern part of the country. Gad Rogers and his friends including Faiza Salima, Patience.
Byamukama and Abdul Karim Kazibwe set off from UTB offices on the 26 th February, 2021, at 10am with the first stop over at Namawojolo for community business support.
The winners later on checked into Riverside woods in Sezibwa for a quick breakfast and there after cycled to Sezibwa falls to explore the falls and understand the historical background of this Buganda cultural site.
“I have honestly never experienced something as beautiful as these falls, it is interesting to know that they are so close to town and anyone can come here for a weekend to unwind,” said Patience Byamukama one of the Gad’s friends who won the trip.
The Mabira canopy zip line that stretches 250 metres to River Musamya was the last stop for the day as the winners were briefed by the guides at Griffin Camp site about the safety precautions that they needed to adhere to while zip lining in the forest.
“You must at all times ensure that you are clipped to the ropes and your safety gadgets are not tampered with. The guides will receive you as you approach the landing board therefore there is no need for fear, you are in safe hands,” emphasized Salongo Ibrahim one of the guides at the camp site.
The zip lining experience was one to remember because it was the highlight of the day as all the winners pointed it out to be the most thrilling experience because they were flying in the air like birds.
0n 27 th February, 2021, the group of winners alongside the UTB team continued to Jinja from Sezibwa in Mukono to Adrift water rafters for an 18 km water ride of their lifetime. The team was first briefed with a safety orientation before they embarked on a 4hour journey through grade 5 rapids which they all loved.
“I have done tubbing before, but water rafting is simply the best. I do not ever regret participating in the take on the pearl with love campaign and I would like to encourage all Ugandans out there to explore our beautiful country,” an excited Gad Rogers explained after the ride.
Having had a long day on Saturday, the winners started off their Sunday with quad biking safari into the heart of Uganda and later on horseback riding before heading back to Kampala to conclude the fun filled weekend.
This trip was the second of the remaining three that will target various winners to visit other tourism destinations including Murchison falls, Kidepo and Ssese Islands.
All other Ugandans can be a part of the Take on the Pearl with love campaign by posting a photo of themselves with his or her friends on a trip at any one of the tourism destinations in Uganda on to the official social media pages of Uganda Tourism Board. (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram)
“This campaign started in February, 2021 and it will end in March whereby we shall give a chance to five winners be it friends, couples, groups of women to take on the pearl in an effort to boost our domestic tourism,” said Claire Mugabi the UTB Marketing Manager.
Last year the tourism sector was badly hit by the Covid 19 pandemic and we hope that through campaigns such as these, we shall be able to regain the tourism sector both domestically and internationally.