By Frank Kamuntu

The Association of Uganda Tour Operators (AUTO) on Friday hosted its members and stakeholders of the tourism industry at K Hotels, Entebbe, to discuss barriers affecting the growth of their industry.

This engagement attracted a couple of key stakeholders including the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB), Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), Uganda Tourism Police, among others.

Addressing the Association members, Chief Executive Officer AUTO, Ms Matilda Iremera commended the smooth cooperation amongst tour operators and hailed them for being loyal to the industry amidst several challenges.

Ms Iremera noted that for years now, the Association has continued to register swift growth, something she puts on their unwavering dedication and ability to assist tour operators in a couple of ways which has boosted its membership.

It is against the above background that Matilda rallied those who haven’t joined the association to come on board, noting that there are a lot of benefits they miss.

”When you join AUTO, you get benefits like discounted gorilla permits, we help you exhibit at international expos, but also you get privileges like fam trips for example soon we shall be hiking Mount Rwenzori,” noted Ms Matilda adding; ”Further, AUTO offers training in digital marketing, Artificial Intelligence and capacity building so you can always send us your staff and equip them that way.”

Senior Commissioner of Police Afande Patrick Akim Lawot, the Commandant Tourism Police in his remarks noted that the tourism industry is among those offered a tight security and asked tour operators not to worry about the safety of their clients.

He commended AUTO members for being law-abiding and being honest to their tourists.

”We have not registered complaints against AUTO members. We have seen some bad elements in your industry that have heaped shame and bad publicity on our country. Those bazungu will go back to their countries crying after being robbed here in Uganda and they will never come back and who loses? It’s the country, therefore, warm your colleagues to stop such acts, otherwise, tourism police won’t tolerate that!,” noted Commandant Akim.

On matters affecting tour operators, AUTO members expressed their dissatisfaction with the ‘poor’ services of the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) which they accuse of tossing them around whenever they need services like gorilla permits among others.

”We are exhausted of those staff who toss us around as if we are beggars, you reach at UWA, you line up as if you’ve come for posho and beans, and finally, after reaching where you have to get the service, you see a staff supposed to serve you telling you am going for lunch, then you sit for 3hrs waiting for someone who went for lunch, which kind of torture is this! If you are tired, get out of offices we get patriotic Ugandans who are willing to serve their country,” fumed one tour operator.

In response to the above among other complaints, Director Tourism and Business DevelopmentUWA Mr Stephen Masaba noted that they can’t tolerate such staff that are killing the industry but also called for smooth cooperation between tour operators and other stakeholders.

Among AUTO corporate members that attended this meeting included Nile Breeze Lodge, Entebbe Forest Lodge, Kampala Executive Aviation, BAR Aviation Uganda, Adrift Uganda, Chimpanzee Trust, Hanspaul Group – Tanzania, K Hotels, BAR SOS, Conservation Through Public Health and Ngamba Island chimpanzee Sanctuary.