NATIONAL: Government will construct museums across the country to foster learning as well as promote cultural tourism, Vice President Jessica Alupo has said.
Alupo was speaking as chief guest during the International Museum Day held at Soroti Museum grounds in Soroti city on Saturday.
“Government is committed to partner with private sector to preserve cultural heritage in the country,” Alupo said.
She said Museums play a critical role in fostering innovation, creativity and critical thinking, adding that schools and tertiary institutions across the country should uphold the new curriculum that emphasizes learning from the past.
Meanwhile, the minister for Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Col. (Rtd) Tom Butime while speaking at the same occasion said his ministry has a clear strategy for museums and monuments whose goal is to spur cultural tourism in the country.
“Our vision is to transform the country from a peasant state to a modern prosperous country,” Butime said, adding that the tourism sector contributes Shs16.7 trillion to the total GDP of the country and employs about 7% of the country’s total working population.
He warned residents against rock quarrying, especially on Kapir rock, which he said destroys the unique nature of the environment.
The State Minister for Teso Affairs, Kenneth Obote, commended the Tourism ministry for allowing Soroti to host the event.
Meanwhile, the Teso region Deputy Minister for Tourism, Joseph Ojatumu, said the event was a great opportunity for Teso tourism.
Ojatum, an alumnai of the Uganda Hotel and Tourism Training Institute (UHTTI) heaped praise on the hotel school and urged Teso residents to enroll their children in the institute.
“I am a product of UHTTI and I am so proud to have gone through that Institution. It is the only government Institute training in hospitality,” Ojatum said.
He said Teso region is rich in tourism sites and pledged to invite the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) to help gazette the sites.
The event was attended by several diginitaries, including the mayor of Soroti city, Teso region Members of Parliament, distric chairpersons and directors of Ministry of Tourism agencies.
