On Monday, August 3, 2020, the CEOs of Uganda Tourism Board and Uganda Communications Commission signed a Memorandum of Understanding that details how they both plan to work together to improve Uganda’s brand as a film and tourism destination.
What started out as a courtesy visit by the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) Executive Director to her Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) counterpart in December 2019, has eventually evolved into the establishment of a formal partnership.
When UTB CEO Lilly Ajarova visited UCC head offices in Bugolobi in December 2019, she made it clear that the two bodies’ shared enthusiasm for the promotion of the film in Uganda should be formalized. In UCC, she had found a willing partner, so her suggestion was promptly embraced
UCC and UTB are two government agencies with two distinct mandates. However, they share profound enthusiasm for the film industry in Uganda, having identified it as a potential driver of tourism, among other benefits.
A clear illustration of the meeting of minds was evident during last year’s Uganda Film Festival (UFF), with UCC choosing ‘Film and Tourism in the Pearl of Africa’ as the theme, and UTB coming on board as one of the event’s sponsors.
As platinum sponsors, UTB funded the premiere of a movie and offered the Lifetime Achievement Award – a trip for two to Murchison Falls National Park for three days.
Speaking at the signing ceremony at her office in Kampala, Ms. Ajarova said the five-year partnership aims to see the two agencies work closely to increase investment in and promotion of film-induced tourism in Uganda.
“Our goal is to improve various already existing tourism products such as film and ensure that enough investment and promotion goes in that area so that the sector can thrive, especially during these unprecedented times where digital visual communication is vital for destination promotion,” Ms. Ajarova said.
On her part, UCC Ag. Executive Director Irene Kaggwa Sewankambo said:
“We shall join hands to maximize opportunities and return on investment in film tourism, promote investment in film production in a bid to create employment, and lobby for tax incentives on film production costs within Destination Uganda.”
Among other things, the MoU is expected to tackle issues such as improved connectivity and cost of the internet, support for digital marketing of Destination Uganda, and profiling of film locations.
About Uganda Tourism Board
The Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) is the official Government destination market organization with the responsibility to promote and market Uganda as the preferred tourism destination in Africa. In this UTB works with other government agencies and the private business operators in the tourism sector. UTB does not run private tours, but represents the tourism industry players and promotes all for the public benefit.
UTB regulates both the travel and tour businesses, and the commercial accommodations in Uganda. It is tasked with the inspection of all tourist services and facilities in order to ensure conformity with international standards.
About Uganda Communications Commission
The Uganda Communications Commission was established to implement the provisions of The UCC Act 2013 in accordance with the Laws of Uganda, with the principal goal of developing a modern communications Infrastructure in Uganda, in conformity with the operationalization of the Telecommunications Policy.
The primary mandate of UCC is to regulate the Communications sector, which includes Telecommunications, Broadcasting, radio communication, postal communications, data communication and infrastructure.