The leadership of the Iteso Cultural Union (ICU) held a two-day tourism symposium last week under the theme “Unveiling the Potential of Tourism in the Teso sub-region” at the Soroti Regional Museum from July 19–20, 2024.

During the event, Teso Cultural elders, youths, and the young were all united in enjoying the beautiful tradition songs, campfire, and donning tradition wear.

On a sunny, chilling Saturday, July 20, 2024, several Itesot cultural loyalists gathered under tents to watch traditional dancers, armed with various local musical instruments including drums (Ateus), thumb pianos (Akogo), and arched harps (Adungu), among others, to entertain the event.

Robert Tumwesigye, the Executive Director of Bwindi Forest Community Development Organization (BWIFODO), also a renowned tour guide and cultural tourism consultant, graced the event and welcomed Iteso’s alarm to have the sites developed. BWIFODO is an NGO promoting culture, tourism, and conservation in southwest Uganda.

Tumwesigye, who has implemented a number of projects and is currently working with Mbarara University on the Batwa Cultural Project in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, outlined several tourism opportunities that can be enhanced in the Teso sub-region.

Proposed strategies for developing cultural tourism in Teso region

Tumwesigye highlighted cultural tourism, which he said is particular tourism that attracts tourists to visit a destination to experience the local culture.

“This emphasis here is also using the local cultural heritage as a potential to not only benefit the Teso community but also advance to a wider domestic and international community. Cultural tourism presents a substantial opportunity for tourism development,” Tumwesigye said.

Tumwesigye suggested that cultural tourism in the Teso sub-region should be used for the socio-economic development of the local people or communities, and the emphasis should be put on providing infrastructure development and cultural tourism business models.

“Iteso Culture Union should mobilize stakeholder groups, including the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife, and Antiquities, and local government, to participate fully. The ministry has a number of tourism initiatives and promotions where cultural tourism is considered,” he said.

He noted that there is an urgent need to come out with a vigorous marketing strategy for cultural tourism in the region, including the Iteso rich cultural heritage, cultural and historical sites, architecture, and games and sports.

Others are: foods, drinks (Ajon), traditional dances, musical instruments, traditional ceremonies and cultural events/festivals, tools (men and women), hand crafts, museums, natural sites and scenery, monuments and memorials, stone age sites, shrines and churches, traditional medicine, adventures and palaces, and cultural institutions.

Tumwesigye, a renowned global tourism expert, said that the region is blessed with famous and authentic tourism attractions, which should be used as a springboard to promote Iteso sub-region cultural tourism products and services.

The sites include Nyero Rocks, Sipi Falls, Kachumbala Rock, Pian Upe Wildlife Game Reserve, Teso Culture Centre, Soroti Museum, Opiroi Water Fall, Igala Central Forest Reserve, Lake Bisina (shoebill), Kopo Hills Forest Reserve, Lake Opeta, Soroti Rock, Kadam Mountain, and Teso city/nightlife.