Batwa, Karamojong Culture Comes Alive at the 7th Edition of Ekkula Tourism Awards

Frank Semata Frank Semata
Dec 21, 2024 - 20:49
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Batwa, Karamojong Culture Comes Alive at the 7th Edition of Ekkula Tourism Awards
Winners and guests cut cake to crown off the night

Date Held: 15th November 2024

Venue: Sheraton Kampala Hotel

Theme: Advancing Sustainable Tourism, Peace, and Green Investments for Improved Livelihoods.

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On the evening of November 15th, 2024, the ballroom of Sheraton Kampala Hotel came alive with glitz, glamour, and the ultimate celebration as Uganda’s tourism stakeholders converged for the 7th edition of the Ekkula Sustainable Tourism Awards. 

This annual event is a premier platform for recognizing excellence and innovation in Uganda’s tourism sector, this year’s edition brought together an esteemed audience of over 300 guests to honor individuals and organizations making significant contributions to the industry.

Rt. Hon. Thomas Tayebwa - Deputy Speaker of Parliament was he GUEST OF HONOR

Rt. Hon. Thomas Tayebwa - Deputy Speaker of Parliament was he GUEST OF HONOR

The awards gala attracted a diverse audience, including: Government officials, Key tourism stakeholders, Private sector representatives, Cultural and environmental conservationists.

The event was a showcase of Uganda’s progress in sustainable tourism. It was designed as a gala dinner setting, with culinary delights curated by Sheraton Kampala Hotel.

The Batwa from Bwindi Impenetrable Forest thrilling the audience at the gala dinner

Karamojong reformed cattle rustlers entertain guests

Key Highlights of the Event

  • Recognition of Lifetime Tourism Achiever Award

The pinnacle of the night was the presentation of the Lifetime Tourism Achiever Award to President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, honoring his outstanding contribution to Uganda’s tourism development. Over the years, the President has championed the preservation of Uganda’s natural beauty, promoted peace as a cornerstone of tourism, and spearheaded initiatives that have positioned Uganda as a premier travel destination.

The award was received on his behalf by the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Thomas Tayebwa, who served as the Guest of Honor. In his speech, Hon. Tayebwa conveyed the President’s gratitude and emphasized the government’s unwavering commitment to growing the tourism sector.

L-R | Ms. Clarah Twesigye (Board Chairperson - ATEI), Bismac Amumpaire (Team Leader - ATEI), Rt. Hon. Thomas Tayebwa, Hon. Martin Mugarra, Ms. Jackline Besigye Nyiracyiza, the Ag. Commissioner for Museums

ATEI Team in a photo moment with the Deputy Speaker

  • Celebrating Culture

The Ekkula Awards provided a platform for networking and collaboration, complemented by entertainment that blended Uganda’s traditional and contemporary cultures. 

The most outstanding feature was the entertainment from the Batwa of Bwindi impenetrable forest in the Rushaga sector who gave an outstanding performance that reflected on how they have emancipated from being just onlookers but owners of their land and culture and using that to tell their story to the world.

The other aspect was the Karamojong reformed cattle rustlers who have been trained as tour guides for their culture and versatile tourism products in their region, they also put up a spirited performance.

A cultural dance troupe welcoming guests

  • Guest of Honor & Invited Guests

The Guest of Honor was the Deputy Speaker of Parliament of Uganda, Rt. Hon. Thomas Tayebwa, in his speech, he remarked that government will in the next financial year increase the budget of the ministry of tourism to enable it strengthen systems that will facilitate tourism development.

He also mentioned that Kampala city will have a new facelift when the road network and drainage systems are worked on. Also cities like Entebbe where tourists arrive first will be prioritized.

The Minister of Tourism, Hon. Martin Mugarra Bahinduka in his address praised the Ekkula awards team for consistently organizing the awards now in their 7th Season, he reiterated his ministry’s support towards the organizers and called upon several other institutions to join in.

Rt. Hon. Thomas Tayebwa at the awards night

Key Achievements and Impact

During the event, the minister of tourism launched the Ekkula Tourism Festival, an activation that will go around different regions of Uganda, where a showcase of our traditions, food, cultures, music, dance and drama will be at the centre stage. This will culminate into the 8th edition of the Ekkula awards.

Minister of Tourism Martin Mugarra launching the Ekkula Sustainable Tourism Festival.

The event highlighted:

  • The importance of recognizing and rewarding excellence as a way to motivate stakeholders.
  • The role of tourism in fostering peace and cultural exchange.
  • The need for continuous investment in green initiatives to spur development.

  • Award Categories and Winners

The evening celebrated a total of 22 awardees across various categories. Each recipient was recognized for their dedication to advancing sustainable tourism. The categories included:

Ekkula Sustainable Tourism Awards 2024 Finalists.

  1. Sustainable New Hotel/Eco Lodge of the Year. TABEBUIA SPA AND SAFARI RESORT.
  2. Sustainable Eco Lodge of the Year KIKORONGO SAFARI LODGE
  3. Sustainable Hotel of the Year.   SPEKE RESORT MUNYONYO
  4. Sustainable Tourism Youth Champion  ELIOT MUGISHA
  5. Travel Photographer of the Year   JACOB ZUMA MUKALAZI
  6. Travel Journalist of 2024   EDWIN KANYESIGYE - GUGUDDE TV
  7. Woman Champion of Sustainable Tourism 2024   DR. GLADYS KALEMA-ZIKUSOKA
  8. Tourism Ambassador of the Year     VANITAH BUSINGYE FAITH
  9. Sustainable Tour Operator of the Year  KAZINGA TOURS
  10. Culinary Tourism Excellence Award   UGANDA HOTEL AND TOURISM TRAINING INSTITUTE
  11. Cultural Heritage Champion Award    EWAFFE CULTURAL VILLAGE
  12. Wildlife Protection Hero Award    NGAMBA ISLAND CHIMPANZEE SANCTUARY.
  13. Inclusive Tourism Champion Award: VOLCANO COFFEE DEAF ACADEMY.
  14. Best Sustainable Destination Award : BWINDI IMPENETRABLE NATIONAL PARK.
  15. Sustainable Tourism Innovation Award : AFRI ART FASHION SHOW
  16. Best Sustainable Airline of 2024: Economy Class Category - UGANDA AIRLINES.
  17. Best Sustainable Airline of 2024: Business Class Category -  ETHIOPIAN AIRLINES
  18. Special Recognition Award -    KAMPALA SHERATON HOTEL
  19. Special Recognition - ZAKIA LUCKY (Let The Pearl Shine Ambassador)
  20. Special Recognition Award: Agro-Tourism Eco Lodge of the Year - Emburara Farm Lodge
  21. Tourism Honorary Award 2024  - Hon DAUDI MIGEREKO
  22. Lifetime Tourism Achiever Award - YOWERI KAGUTA MUSEVENI

Eliot Mugisha, winner Sustainable Tourism Youth Champion Award receives his plaque from Miss Uganda NyonyozziAISHA Nabwanika, Proprietor, Ewaffe Cultural Village 

Dr. Gladys Kalema’s husband picked her award on her behalf

Aisha Nabwanika of Ewaffe Cultural Village