The seventh edition of the annual Ekkula Pearl of Africa Sustainable Awards have awarded outstanding individuals and entities in the hospitality sector at a colourful event held at Sheraton Kampala Hotel.
This year’s theme is ‘Advancing Sustainable Tourism, Peace, and Green Investments for Improved Livelihoods’. The ‘Sustainable Tour Operator of the Year’ accolade was presented to Kazinga Tours.
According to the founder of Kazinga Tours, Felex Musinguzi, the award is a reward for what the tour company has been doing. “It’s a game changer since the new norm for tour operating is sustainability. We are more motivated and are sure we will get more clients,” Musinguzi explains, adding that Kazinga is actively engaged with local communities to ensure that tourism benefits them economically.
“We go an extra mile to work with local artisans and guides to promote cultural heritage thereby providing fair wages. We partner with local NGOs that support wildlife protection initiatives like CTPH and their Gorilla conservation coffee produced by Bwindi farmers which we give to our clients as gifts,” he explains.
Some of the featured initiatives at the gala night included the Green Schools project in the Rwenzori sub-region and the Climate Innovation for Resilience in Karamoja (CLIRK) which focus on sustainability and community empowerment.
Ekkula is a word in the Luganda dialect to mean ‘pearl’ hence Ekkula Sustainable Tourism Awards. Uganda is known by the marketing tagline ‘Pearl of Africa’ thanks to its diverse tourism attractions that are dotted with different cultures and warm and welcoming people, and more.
“We are super honoured to bag a second award this year from the Tourism Industry. Thank you for supporting #Ewaffe all through dear friends,” Ewaffe Cultural Village, an eco-tourism centre that presents a traditional feel of Uganda through authentic and immersive cultural activities, writes.
Ewaffe’s award was presented to its founder, Aisha Nabwanika Mayanja by Edwin Muzahura, the Chief Executive Officer@ Networth Consult. Vanitah Faith Busingye took home the ‘Tourism Ambassador of the Year’ award.
She thanked everyone who believed in her, supported, nominated and voted for her. “Thank for this incredible honour! Being named Tourism Ambassador of the Year is a dream come true. Your support means the world to me. I’m proud to represent our beautiful nation Uganda and promote sustainable tourism,” she said.
Vanitah, the Ambassador to Miss Tourism Africa 23 and National Director of MT Africa added that the recognition validates the collective efforts to promote Uganda’s tourism sector and sustainable practices.
She promises to strengthen tourism industry partnerships with her international connections by advocating for sustainable tourism policies, showcasing Uganda’s unique experiences right from cultural, adventure, and culinary and working together with the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) and Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities.
Miss Tourism Uganda Beauty Queen 2021, Angel Kobusinge expressed appreciation and honour for the invitation to be part of the awards’ night as the Cultural Queen World Miss Armity Award Winner 2024.
“It was a privilege to be part of such an inspiring event, celebrating the incredible award winners of the night who are making a positive impact in sustainable tourism. Grateful for the opportunity to be surrounded by like-minded changemakers and to contribute to the celebration of sustainability! Here’s to more impactful work ahead,” she wrote on her x account.
The guest of honour at the Ekkula Sustainable Tourism Awards was the deputy speaker of the Parliament of Uganda, Right Honourable Thomas Tayebwa. He said engaging with key stakeholders in an industry that significantly impacts our nation’s economy, driving employment opportunities, investments, and foreign currency inflows was a remarkable opportunity.
He emphasised the government’s commitment to prioritizing the tourism sector, setting a revenue target of $50 billion by the year 2050. He observed, “In the previous fiscal year, the tourism industry generated $1.4 billion, even without substantial investments. For the current fiscal year, we have allocated Ugx55 billion to our embassies for the promotion of Uganda internationally. Moving forward, the government will focus on enhancing the marketing and branding of our nation, aiming to digitize the economy and achieve a GDP target of $500 billion by 2050, with tourism playing a pivotal role in this endeavour.”
The winners of the 2024 Ekkula Sustainable Tourism Awards
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- Sustainable New Hotel/Eco Lodge of the Year: Tabebuia Spa and Safari Resort
- Sustainable Eco Lodge of the Year: Kikorongo Safari Lodge
- Sustainable Hotel of the Year: Speke Resort Munyonyo
- Sustainable Tourism Youth Champion: Eliot Mugisha
- Travel Photographer of the Year: Jacob Zuma Mukalazi
- Travel Journalist of 2024: Edwin Kanyesigye – Gugudde TV
- Woman Champion of Sustainable Tourism 2024: Dr. Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka
- Tourism Ambassador of the Year: Vanitah Busingye Faith
- Sustainable Tour Operator of the Year: Kazinga Tours
- Culinary Tourism Excellence Award: Uganda Hotel and Tourism Training Institute
- Cultural Heritage Champion Award: Ewaffe Cultural Village
- Wildlife Protection Hero Award: Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary
- Inclusive Tourism Champion Award: Volcano Coffee Deaf Academy
- Best Sustainable Destination Award: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
- Sustainable Tourism Innovation Award: Afri Art Fashion Show
- Best Sustainable Airline of 2024: Economy Class: Uganda Airlines
- Best Sustainable Airline of 2024: Business Class: Ethiopian Airlines
- Special Recognition Award: Kampala Sheraton Hotel
- Special Recognition: Zakia Lucky (Let The Pearl Shine Ambassador)
Special Recognitions:
- Agro-Tourism Eco Lodge of the Year: Emburara Farm Lodge.
- Tourism Honorary Award 2024: Hon. Daudi Migereko
- Lifetime Tourism Achiever Award: Yoweri Kaguta Museveni
Photographs Courtesy/Adam Safari.
