ATEI’s Ekkula Tourism Awards recognizes key tourism promoters.

The glamorous 5th Edition of Ekkula Tourism Awards,awarded the big player in tourism industry including hoteliers, sustainable tour and travel operators, supporting media house, hotels & restaurants ,innovators ,personalities and retailers who were recognized for their outstanding performance during 2020-2021.

Dec 6, 2022 - 11:02 Updated: Dec 6, 2022 - 12:14

ATEI’s Ekkula Tourism Awards recognizes key tourism promoters.

Minister Anite excited after receiving the award from behalf of hotel confidentiale , awarded best new hotel of the year

Theo of Karatunga tours celebrates. He received cultural tourism award on behalf of company

The awarded stakeholders included hoteliers, sustainable tour and travel operators, supporting media house, hotels & restaurants ,innovators ,personalities and retailers who were recognized for their outstanding performance during 2020-2021.

Ssenyonyi Derrick was awarded Best Tourism Photographer

After close to three (3) years on the sidelines due to the outbreak of COVID-19 that followed subsequent lockdowns, the prestigious awards have been revived in yet a steller fashion. The Awards recognized the public sector and tourism players.

Chief Guest Hon. Minister Of State for Tourism Martin Mugarra talks to other guests at the awards night
This year’s Edition ran under the theme, '‘Rethinking Tourism and Promotion of Green Initiatives’' - set with special focus on the newly launched Explore Uganda brand.

State Minister for Investment Hon. Evelyn Anite gives her acceptance speech after receiving the award.

"I'am immensely happy with the Ekkula Tourism Awards team who have, against all odds organised these awards which have proved to be fair and transparent in the way the nominations and voting process is done." Hon. Evelyn Anite , the State Minister for investment said in her speech during the awards night.she later commuted continued support to the organizers.

In his speech, the chief guest and Minister of State for Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Hon. Martin Mugarra expressed his gratitude towards the Ekkula Tourism Awards saying they are a motivational factor for people in the tourism business to work even harder for the good of the country.

“I’am very glad we have awards whose aim is to recognize and motivate key stakeholders in our Uganda’s tourism cycle. This is proof that our people are continuing to engaged in the tourism business and want to see it grow. May all the winners and everyone who was nominated to work even harder to enjoy the fruits of our motherland.”

Mugara cited the need for me investment in the different touism sites across the country to empower more youth into engaging in tourism related activities and employment.

Minister Mugarra cuts a cake with the organizers during the awards night

“There is lots of redundant resources in many tourism sites across the country, I want to encourage everyone with the capacity to set up tourism related facilities to do so. There are low-interest loans available in UDB for those who would wish to undertake investment.” Mugara noted.

On the case of Ebola Virus Disease, Mugara noted that, “The current Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak in the Country is under control and anybody with a plan to travel to Uganda is encouraged to continue with their travel plans. Uganda is now at zero spread of the EVD, Come visit the pearl of Africa.

Bismac Amumpaire, the Founder of Ekkula Tourism Awards talks to Sheraton Hotel general manager.

According to;The team leader of ATEI, Bismac Moses Amumpaire This year’s Ekkula Awards were based on the 23 categories, as seen below.

During the session a new award was introduced ,Access to Tourism funding Award which was awarded to European Union and Uganda Development Bank.

European Union and Uganda Development Bank were recognized for best access to Tourism financing award.

The ambassador of EU pledged continued support to the tourism sector through access to tourism financing. He further pledged support to the organisers of Ekkula Tourism Awards.

Hon Evelyn Anite's L'Hotel Confidentiale in Arua scooped award for best new hotel of the year.

Guests like Uganda Tourism board ,Uganda Wildlife Authority ,CEDP,Uganda Airlines ,UWEC ,Miss Tourism Queens were among those that attended.

Ekkula Pearl of Africa Tourism Awards is a private sector tourism quality assurance initiative a subsidiary of Africa Tourism and Environment Initiatives( ATEI).

Here is the list of the winners

NBS TV was recognized for Best Supporting Tourism media.

Other winners and guests at the awards night

EKKULA PEARL OF AFRICA TOURISM AWARDS 2022

(OFFICIAL WINNERS)

CATEGORY NOMINEES COMMENTS

	● Edgar Batte (Monitor) ● Julius Luwemba (New Vision) ● Oliviel Nakalembe (NBS TV) ● Sarah Kagingo (Soft Power)	EDGAR BATTE
TOURISM SUPPORTIVE MEDIA.	● Daily Monitor ● NBS Television ● Soft Power ● New Vision	NBS TELVISION
INNOVATIVE TOURISM AWARD	● Saving Gorillas One Sip at a time. ● Tubayo market place. ● Tubing the Nile. ● Vintage Mobile Museum.	TUBING THE NILE.
Outstanding Wildlife Ranger Guide	● Adaruku Robert-(Queen ELizabeth National Park) ● Musobozi Silvan (Murchison Falls National Park) ● Allen Uwihoreye (Bwindi Mgahinga Conservation Area) ● Loibok John Lonyia (Kidepo Valley National Park)	Allen Uwihoreye (Bwindi Mgahinga Conservation Area)
OUTSTANDING TOURISM ENTREPRENEUR	● Frank Tumwebaze (Emburara/Chimpundu Lodges) ● Jaffar Azhar (Fairway Hotel/Sambiya Lodge) ● John Hunwick (Rwenzori Trekking Services) ● Thembo Nyombi (Evelyn Apartments, Kikorongo & Tilenga Safari Lodges.)	JOHN HUNWICK (RWENZORI TREKKING SERVICES)
YOUNG TOURISM PERSONALITY 2022	● Derrick Senyonyi (Vibe Photographer) ● Isaih Rwanyekiro (Breath-taking Uganda) ● Mukiga Traveller ● Vanitah Busingye (Miss Tourism Heritage)	MUKIGA TRAVELLER
TOURISM PERSONALITY 2022	● Amos Wekesa. (Tour Operator) ● Eddy Kenzo (Performing Artiste) ● Hellena Namutamba (Busoga Tourism Minister) ● Joshua Chepteghei (Sports Icon)	AMOS WEKESA. (TOUR OPERATOR)
OUTSTANDING TOUR GUIDE	● Amanya Kevin ● Brian Ashley ● Donna Mwesigwa ● James Mwere ● Meddy Mugisha	BRIAN ARSHLEY
BEST ADVENTURE DESTINATION OF THE YEAR	● Bungee Uganda, Jinja ● Supreme Adventure Park,Bunyonyi ● Sipi Falls, Kapchorwa ● Mt. Rwenzori National Park, Kasese.	MOUNTAIN RWENZORI NATIONAL PARK
USER FRIENDLY TOURISM ASSOCIATION	● Association Of Uganda Tour Operators ● Tour Guides Forum Uganda. (TGFU) ● Uganda Hotel Owners’ Association. (UHOA) ● Uganda Safari Guides Association (USAGA) ● Young Uganda Tour Operators. (YUTO)	UGANDA SAFARI GUIDES ASSOCIATION (USAGA)
TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHER	● Busingye Kagonyera-Buskago ● Edgar Batte ● Makoma Nation ● Ssenyonyi Derrick	SSENYONYI DERRICK
PEARL OF AFRICA EVENT OF THE YEAR.	● Kadodi Carnival ● Nyege Nyege Festival ● Tusker Lite Rwenzori Marathon ● Vumbula Festival	NYEGE NYEGE FESTIVAL
AIRLINE OF THE YEAR	● Brussels Airlines ● Emirates Airlines ● Ethiopian Airlines ● Uganda Airlines	ETHIOPIAN AIRLINES
BEST ECO-SAFARI LODGE	● CWMbale Eco Tourist Lodge ● Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge ● Kikorongo Safari lodge. ● Heritage Safari Lodge.	NKURINGO BWINDI GORILLA LODGE
BEST LUXURY AND BUSINESS HOTEL	● Kampala Serena Hotel ● Nyaika Hotel. ● Sheraton Kampala Hotel ● Speke Resort Munyonyo	KAMPALA SHERATON HOTEL.
SUSTAINABLE TOUR OPERATOR	● Destination Jungle ● Go Explore Safaris ● Kara-Tunga Tours ● Matoke Tours	Matoke Tours
ACCESSIBLE & INCLUSIVE TOURISM AWARD.	● Endiro Cafe ● Miss Tourism Independent ● Silent Café. ● Skia Cafe & Crafts. Jinja	ENDIRO CAFE
CULTURAL TOURISM AWARD	● Cross Cultural Foundation Uganda ● Cul Tours and Safaris ● Kara-Tunga ● National Theatre Craft Village	KARA TUNGA TOURS
USER FRIENDLY TRANSPORT OF THE YEAR.	● Aerolink Uganda ● Kira Motors (Kayola Bus) ● MV Brovad ● Safe Boda	MV BROVAD
EXCEPTIONAL RESTAURANT	● Baguma Restaurant ● Cafe Javas ● Java House ● Kentucky Fried Chicken	CAFE JAVAS
BEST NEW HOTEL OF THE YEAR	● Koki Hotel, Kampala ● L'hotel Confidentiale-Arua ● Mbale Courts View Hotel ● Hotel Horizon, Entebbe.	L'HOTEL CONFIDENTIALE-ARUA
TOURISM HONARARY AWARD	H.E Elsie Attafuah Resident Rep. UNDP
LIFETIME TOURISM ACHIEVER	Dr. Stephen Rwangyezi Founder Ndere Cultural Centre.

--------------------------------------

About The Ekkula Awards

Ekkula Tourism Awards is a private sector tourism quality assurance initiative in partnership with Africa Tourism and Environment Initiatives that promotes, motivates, recognizes and awards good practices in Uganda’s tourism industry that has been running on the ministry calendar of events since March 2015.

Criteria of Awarding

● Our Scouting team carried out a ground work survey both online and on social media together with reviews and advice from the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities and its relevant Agencies.

● Co-currently, the public participated in the open nomination on the official website.

● Then a report of proposed nominees was handed over to the Panel of Judges for acknowledgement and later displayed and announced to the public for online voting.

● Voting was through our online website which accounted for 50% of the votes and the remaining 50% was upon the Judges verdict.

Judges based their verdict on the following;

● If the facility/Stakeholder promotes Uganda as a top tourist destination alongside his/her/its private facility or services.

● The Stakeholder’s/Facility’s level of eco friendliness.

● The Stakeholder’s/Facility’s level of service to Tourists.

● How the facility/stakeholder gives back to the community.

● Innovation and Sustainability

● How the facility/stakeholder impacts the community positively.

● Does the stakeholder/facility promote domestic tourism as much as international tourism?

● Ethics and professionalism exhibited by the facility/Stakeholder.

● Feedback and reviews from visitors from notable travel websites like trip advisor among others.

● Conservation and Culture preservation.