BY PAUL IBANDA
Source of the Nile has turned into one of the top revenue earners for Jinja Municipality. The tourism earning from the Source of the Nile is estimated to be between Shs100m and Shs140m monthly, meaning that the municipality earns Shs1b annually, according to Jinja Mayor Majidu Batambuze.
Previously, Jinja Municipality was earning between Shs40m and Shsh50m from the Source of the Nile. The Mayor said there has been a turnaround in the last one-and-a-half years and that tourism still has a lot of potential which should be harnessed through investment.
He cited a five-star hotel, a Convention Centre and an 18-hole Golf Course as some of the investments that would enhance the tourism experience at the Source of the Nile.
He also pointed out that cable cars connecting the eastern and western banks of the Source of the Nile would enhance the tourism experience at the source of the Nile.
“The Nile is of global significance,” he said, adding that there is a need for tourists to spend longer time at the Source of the Nile and also spend more money.
“I call upon government to increase investment in tourism since it is contributing much to the country’s GDP,” Batambuze said.
The Mayor was speaking at a press conference organised by Jinja Municipality in partnership with Busoga Kingdom and Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) ahead of the Nile Cultural Tourism Festival scheduled for October 27.
Busoga Kingdom minister for tourism Hellen Namutamba said the cultural festival will be opened by Rebecca Kadaga, the Speaker of Parliament.
The Kyabazinga of Busoga GabulaNadiope IV is expected to close the festival on October 29.
UTB’s Sylvia Kalembe said the Source of the Nile is one of the most strategic tourism assets and that government was working closely with the private sector to develop it.
