Hoima, the Oil City to host World Tourism Day Celebrations 2023

HOIMA- In Uganda, every part of the region has its unique tourism features that complement each other and give a whole new experience to the tourists.

This year on Wednesday, September 2023, the World Tourism Day will be celebrated in Hoima District also known as the “Oil City” , Bunyoro region in the western part of Uganda and will run under the theme ” Tourism and Green Investments”.

In the history of this country, there is a lot that is inclined to Bunyoro that dates way back during the times of the imperialists and slave trade.

We ought to understand this from our fore fathers and ancestors and its possible when one gets to interest them with it through tourism, research, stories from the elders and reading.

During the launch, that was held at the Tourism Information Centre at Sheraton Kampala, Hon. Martin Mugarra Bahinduka, State Minister of Tourism and Antiqueties said that one of their agenda is to promote domestic tourism and this has been manifested through their campaigns of Explore Uganda and other iniatiatives, noting that them coming to Hoima for the World Tourism Day was the right step in the best direction.

” We are also working with many celebrities and influencers so  that we can promote tourism to those in Uganda and beyond in order to reach out to many people as people by interesting them about the beauty in Uganda”. Hon Mugarra Added.

Speaking at the same event,  Lord Mayor , Hoima City,  Brian Kaboyo Adyeeri  expressed his gratitude  for hosting the day  in  the Oil city that most people in Kampala and  other region  just hear  about but  have not had the opportunity to come through and enjoy mother nature in Bunyoro.

He also noted that they have organised great series of activities to commemorate fallen Omukama Kabelaga’s  Centenary celebrations since he died in 1923 and all these are geared to encouraging more people to  know about their history,  culture and norms, before he interested those who have  the potential to come down and invest in the City.

The Director  of Tourism and Business Development at Uganda Wildlife Authority, Stephen Sanyi Masaba said they are ready to give the best experience to those that will come through  and they should not leave these facilities  be enjoyed by foreigners because the rates are really down and affordable for  Ugandans.

In the same  spirit,  Moses Golola, Uganda’s most successful kick boxer and a Tourism Influencer and ambassador requested the relevant entities to have their content in our indigenous languages so that the  communities can embrace them because it will create that sense of attachment, easily understood and appreciated by the local people.

 Apart from that , One of the  things  one should think of in the Hoima escapade  is getting  pet names known as the ” Empaako” that include ; ” Adyeeri”, ” Amooti”,   ” Atwooki”,  “Araali”, ” Akiiki “, ” Abwooli”, ” Abooki” ,” Apuuli” , ” Ateenyi” and many other that will be added to their  names.

There are also other activities that will happen for instance ; Trade Exhibitions, Explore Uganda football  Cup, Medical  Camp, Tourism Awards Night, Conferences,  Musical and dance performances especially the ” Kinyenge”, a  traditional one   from the  host land  and  others from Kampala  artists such as ; Pallaslo, Phina Masanyalaze, Spice Diana and others.

After all that mix and mingle, a staycation, in the land of Oil for it to be compete, people should spare time and check out these places in the spirit of visiting Bunyoro and learning about their culture.

KIBIRO SALT GARDENS. 

Here, it brings the traditional way in which Salt was extracted and those who have not been able to have the raw format shall be able to at least see or get stories on how this daily home food recipe that gets on the table is got.

MUHABURA FALLS.

Water cascading down through the rocks to the bottom  is a unique thing to see and those that want to have a massage and shower, this is a   sure bet since the falls offer that  experience as well back drop pics  for those who are photogenic.

MPARO TOMBS.

These are burial grounds for the fallen King of Bunyoro Kabalega who was buried over 100 years ago and was very instrumental in fighting the British rule.

It is about 4 km away from Hoima Town and just a quick ride away.

BUNYORO KINGDOM PALACE.

This is the genesis of the  Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom and it is where the Omukama holds ceremonial duties and is home for  some cultural artifacts  such as the  crown , throne and many others plus the history regarding the Banyoro.

KABAALE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT.

With the exploration of the Oil in the region,  this is one of the facilities under construction that is worth visiting and it’s about 51km from the town seated on over  11 Square Miles and it’s going to be the second biggest after Entebbe Airport.

WAMBAYA WATER FALLS.

This is located in Buseruka, sub county  and one gets to enjoy the  beautiful  view and scenery of lake Albert while there with  off course the lush green natural vegetation.

KATASIIHA FORT  CAVES.

These are 8 meters deep caves that were built around 1893 by Gen. Henry Colville when Omukama Kabalega abandoned the Mparo tombs and it’s just 2km from Hoima City. 

Going  to the latter, the focus on recognising sustainable tourism as the master plan, which is attained by reducing  on fossil & fuels energy waste management and pollution reduction can be achieved with Green   investments in the green like ; 

-Plastic Recycling and Proper disposal.

– Use of Solar Energy 

– Wind Energy  

– Agriculture and Value Addition 

– Hospitality Business 

– Bio- Energy and many others.