There have been preparations going on to have all Uganda’s accommodation facilities and restaurants found around the entire country graded and the latest news indicate that the process of setting criteria has been concluded , this is in an effort to synchronize the tourism together with the hospitality sector in East Africa. The Government of Uganda has come up with rules and regulations to go through to commend non-star rated hotels, guest houses, hostels, home stays as well as camping sites.
According to the representatives, setting up such facilities will require on to be provide assurance of a standard facility following the star rating system so that to be able to attract as many visitors in the country as possible and they pay for the facility willingly. Prof. Ephraim Kamuntu who is the Minister of Tourism said early this week while addressing people at the end of 20 hotel assessors’ training held in Jinja District, he added that categorization of hotels is a world wide system done with an intention of enabling investors expand and preserve finest performances. He also said that there will be a Tourism Police Unit established to ensure the safety of tourists and their properties and they will be trained to the level of anti-terrorism unit.
The evaluators are ready to be licensed as well as being acknowledged at the provincial level. Mr. Bulaim Kibirige who is the chairperson of the Uganda Hotel Owners Association has also appreciated the step taken by the government saying that it might help expand the hospitality sector. Mr. Muwanga added that there will be an increase in the revenue especially since almost every hotel has been grading itself without following particular principles but with set standards, Uganda will also be able to promote its facilities worldwide since the standards will determine the price.
According to the Deputy Secretary General of the EAC Mr. Jean Claude Nsengiyumva, the evaluators are meant to assist the country gain from quality tourism and this can be done through ensuring competitive tourism accommodation and catering facilities as said by Mr. Nsengiyumva in the speech presented by the Secretariat Programme Coordinator responsible for Tourism and Wildlife. The mentioned training was brought up by EAC Council on Tourism and Wildlife Management.
