Experts from the tourism sector are advocating for the education of tour guides to ensure the effective and professional management of visitors. They argue that unprofessionalism has negatively impacted Uganda’s important tourism sector, with guides providing travelers with contradictory information about tourism sites.
Mr. Herbert Byaruhanga, the president of the Uganda Safari Guides Association (USAGA), lamented that the tourism industry is plagued by local guides who lack knowledge of the ethical principles required to manage travelers.
“We need the tour guides to be trained because some provide conflicting information, which confuses tourists. We want them to have consistent information so that people can appreciate the products,” Mr. Byaruhanga said.
The senior tour guide made this statement on Saturday when USAGA was hosted in Jinja city by the Jinja Tour Guides Association (JITOGA). The two tourism bodies joined forces to enhance Uganda’s tourism sector, advocating for the effective exploration of the country’s adventures.
To formalize the collaboration, JITOGA and the Kampala-based USAGA strengthened ties, focusing on the importance of educating local tour guides.
“When these tour guides have consistent information, people will appreciate the product. We are working hard to eliminate any conflicting information among our guides,” Mr. Byaruhanga emphasized.
Kevin Amanya, the spokesperson of JITOGA, complained that local guides at the source of the Nile do not have enough knowledge about the renowned tourist attraction, something he believes may deter holidaymakers.
Tour guides provide personalized experiences, sharing knowledge and insights about destinations, cultures, and attractions. They ensure that travelers receive accurate information, seamless navigation, unique experiences, and local connections.
The two associations envision conducting free training sessions for tour directors to boost professionalism in the sector.
“We are challenged by unprofessionalism, but we are ensuring this stops. We will soon launch campaigns, and we need all tour guides to participate,” Amanya said, adding that the government may establish policies to ensure all guides are licensed.
Currently, the Uganda Tourism Board, a government body under the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife, and Antiquities, is responsible for regulating and certifying tour and safari companies in the country.
Meanwhile, Amanya added that many tourism sites are not properly documented, which poses a challenge for guides who are expected to provide accurate information to visitors. He highlighted the need to upload profiles of tourist attractions online so that explorers can easily access information about the sites.
“You’ll find that some sites were written about thirty years ago, and the information has not been updated. It is our responsibility, as people on-site, to profile these attractions, but of course, we need collaboration,” he said.
During their visit, the group explored several tourist attractions in Jinja, including the Source of the Nile and Jinja’s Railway Museum.
Mr. Byaruhanga stressed that Jinja is a significant tourism hub in the country, with its rich history and several vintage buildings constructed in the 1910s and 1920s. The city is also home to the site where copper was smelted in the early years, which led to the establishment of the railway by colonialists.
“Jinja is well-established and has the capacity to accommodate large numbers of tourists. We just need to organize our guides, build their capacity, and help them discover more information to share with visitors,” Byaruhanga added.
According to Mr. Paul Brian Kayongo, the president of JITOGA, they plan to engage stakeholders to install dustbins at the Source of the Nile to address the challenge of littering in the river.
It is alleged that some residents living near the River Nile do not understand the value of the resource and engage in practices that pollute the environment. Kayongo called for action against such individuals.
Ms. Precious Musimenta, a tour guide from USAGA, shared her experience from the one-day trip to Jinja. She said, “Jinja is a great area to explore. It has interesting features that anyone would want to tour.”
JITOGA remains a significant tourism organization that represents tour guides in Jinja and the entire Busoga region.
