Akatagyenda was established as an umbrella organization representing communities in destination areas of S.Western Uganda to understand the importance of traveling leading to tourism as a business, which Akatagyenda believes, is among the best sectors to help communities get out of poverty. Further, its purpose is to empower local communities in sustainable development that can plan, manage and develop themselves.
With the growth of tourism during the 1990's, communities near 'protected areas' and national parks discovered an opportunity - tourism. Uganda, as a tourism destination, had become more suited to the smaller scale, environmentally related tourism called Eco-tourism. The hope of Akatagyenda is the formation of a symbiotic relationship between tourism, indigenous people and natural, environmentally sensitive areas.
Tourism in Uganda offers one of the best hopes for increasing the income of local people and at the same time preserving 'protected areas'.
Akatagyenda will encourage communities to develop tourism activities that they can plan, manage and develop themselves. These activities should not take over from the more traditional agricultural based economies but provide a needed 'cash crop'. This is essential to the well being of the community and the tourism industry that they are trying to create.
Community tourism can involve everyone. Those in the community, who do not speak English, have poor education levels or work experience can still be employed as porters, to transport water and firewood, in trail and compound maintenance and for construction as labourers. These are not /dead-end /jobs and community members will find opportunities to move into other positions as they develop the needed skills.
Tourism, or rather a lot of tourists, does not mean that the area or inhabitants of an area will directly benefit from that tourism spending. Unless the area of opportunity for the community involves various sectors, the community may not take ownership of this difficult industry. Tourism revenue should not only be reflected in the jobs and expenditure directly related to the visit, but should also be found in sectors such as agriculture or construction or health care.
Akatagyenda will continue the community opportunity through the development of handcrafts, Bee Keeping as well as dance, song and drama. These activities widen the opportunity for both the visitor and the community. Shopping is a major part of as holiday. Quality craftwork is something that can be taken home in order to share the holiday experience. Handcrafts can also be sold outside the community through shops in Kampala, or even exported if community members are well organized and sensitized.
- Restore the rich cultural and traditional heritage of Unawatuna and to ensure that it is a quality tourism destination.
- Encourage and increase the inflow of foreign tourists, by providing exceptional catering, free from harassment and
pollution, with appropriate infrastructure and sanitation facilities.
- Utilize local resources and skills to enhance the tourism industry's income and in turn benefit the host community.
- Preserve and promote the rich religious and cultural values of the destination area.
- To encourage quality community based tourism with the aim of benefiting communities through sustainable development.
- Job creation for the poor and marginalized sectors
- Lobbying of private sector to use CBT activities
- Training on natural resource management and sustainable technologies for communities
- Tourism awareness training for the communities
- Developing and encouraging the development of infrastructure in rural areas for easy access to the protected areas
- Giving value to and promoting traditional skills, values, Cultures and history of the communities
For more information please contact the organisation
* Via e-mail: akatagyenda@yahoo.com
* Or telephone: Warren Ankwasa +256782446048
Akatagyenda works together with
Kazinga Tours
Visit their website when you want to make a trip to Uganda.
