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By Frank Kamuntu

Members of the Association of Uganda Tour Operators (AUTO) have raised alarm over the very terrible situation of roads in the country that have left the industry trembling despite millions of revenue generated from it.

AUTO is Uganda’s leading tourism trade association, representing the interests of the country’s leading and experienced professional tour operators. The association members offer a range of services categorized under; special interest safaris, Air safaris, Incentive travel group safaris, Custom safaris for individual travelers, and Camping safaris.

These tour operators in a meeting held at Sheraton Hotel, Kampala on Monday [today] ‘cried’ to the government to stop promising, but sort out issues affecting them.

”We have had several engagements with several government agencies especially those that fall in our industry, we have revealed to them all the hindrances we battle day and night but the only thing they tell us is we are going to work on your issues, until when?” wondered Ms Civvy Tumusiime, the Chairperson AUTO.

Among the issues AUTO says affect their industry include poor roads like; Kisoro Ring road, Kitgum – Karenga road, Katunguru-Isasha – Kihihi road and Moroto Interchange – Karenga road.

Also, private tour operators want the government to deal with the issue of tax exemption number plates and hold on up to 2025 to increase rates for gorilla permits.

They also want the government to improve on the marketing strategies and make Uganda a high-end tourism destination, something they believe will attract more tourists and give their industry a boost.

According to the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) 2023 report, tourism Direct Gross Domestic Product accounts for 3.64 percent of the GDP in terms of direct contribution; tourism also accounts for a large share of total employment, directly employing close to 1.6 million people, 68 percent of whom were females and accounting for 14.7 percent of the total number of jobs.

The stats above indeed explain why this industry should be prioritized by the government and address the key challenges affecting tour operators for them to stay in business and continue generating revenue for the country’s growth.

See AUTO Meeting Pictorial Below