On September 27, 2024, Uganda joined the rest of the world to celebrate World Tourism Day, which began with a march from the Rwenzori Square to the Nyakasanga Grounds in Kasese District.

Kasese District in western Uganda has been grappling with several challenges in recent years. Since 2013, the district has been dealing with frequent floods that cause river banks to burst, leading to destruction of property, displacement of people, and loss of livelihoods.

Kasese has also seen violent inter-ethnic and cross-cultural conflicts based on historical trends and current issues.

Residents of Kasese District at one point were increasingly alarmed by a series of attacks attributed to suspected Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels.

The incidents included the ambush of a truck, resulting in two fatalities, and the killing of foreign tourists within Queen Elizabeth National Park. The attacks reignited fears following the previous deadly assault on Lhubiriha Secondary School that claimed over 40 lives.

Despite those challenges, Kasese District still remains to offer a variety of captivating tourist attractions, and these include;

Rwenzori Mountains: a World Heritage site known for its stunning peaks, including Magherita, Mount Stanley, and Mount Speke, attracting climbers and nature enthusiasts.

Queen Elizabeth National Park: Famous for its diverse wildlife, including tree-climbing lions, elephants, and over 600 bird species. It also features the scenic Kazinga Channel.

Kalinzu Forest: Another fascinating destination to visit on tour in Kasese is the Kalinzu Forest Reserve, home to up to 6 primate species, 378 bird species, and up to 414 tree species, making it the perfect destination for primate lovers and nature enthusiasts.

Lake Katwe: A salt lake where visitors can observe traditional salt mining practices.

Kibale Forest: Regarded as the primate capital of East Africa, Kibale Forest is home to over 1500 chimpanzees of the 4950 recorded in Uganda, making it the top chimpanzee tracking destination in Uganda.

According to State Minister of Tourism Martin Mugaara, Kasese was chosen to host this year’s celebrations as a testament to the peace that has been prevailing there lately.

“Holding the celebrations in Kasese is a testament to the peace that prevails here regardless of the security threats the area has faced in the recent past,” Mugaara asserts.

The Minister attributed the peace to the ideals of government in pacifying every region of the country to spur steady development through peace and security.

With the World Tourism Day themed “Tourism and Peace,” the Uganda tourism ministry hopes to harness the power of tourism to unite people and foster peace.

“A peaceful nation, region, or neighborhood is vital for tourism to thrive, and I thank every individual, security agency, and government for all the efforts towards making our country safe and maintaining the peace,” the Minister shared on his Official X account.

The ministry of tourism, together with security organizations in Uganda, continue to work together to restore peace and stability in the region, with the government of Uganda deploying additional security forces along the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo to deter further rebel incursions and protect civilians.

The Uganda People’s Defence Forces have also conducted airstrikes against ADF bases inside Congo to disrupt their activities, keeping Kasese District relatively peaceful.