In a collaborative move to foster cross-border tourism and enhance regional economic ties, the Consulate General of the Republic of Uganda in Mombasa has joined forces with key tourism stakeholders from Uganda and Kenya Coast to organise the Uganda Festival 2024.
The Consulate General of Uganda to Mombasa was established in 2015 to take care of Uganda’s interests at the Kenya Coast, especially Mombasa Port. The Consulate takes care of the six Coastal Counties of Mombasa, Kilifi, Kwale, Tana River, Lamu, and Taita Taveta.
Scheduled to run from April 17 to 21, 2024, the festival themed ‘leveraging culture and golf to promote tourism, trade, and investment between Uganda and Kenya Coast’ promises a vibrant convergence of cultural celebration and sporting prowess.
The primary objective of the festival is to showcase the distinctive products of Uganda to a broader audience, including corporate entities in the coastal region of Kenya, as well as the youth and tourists, both local and international, visiting the Kenyan Coast.
The deliberate focus on leveraging the rich cultural heritage and the allure of golf is also to foster deeper ties between Uganda and the Kenyan Coast.
Speaking at their Nyali office, Amb Paul Mukumbya, Consul General of Uganda to Mombasa reiterated that the concept of the partnership is premised on the fact that Kenya is the number one source market for tourists to Uganda.
“We started with an agri-business symposium in 2021 because the two countries are the biggest trading partners. Kenya is our biggest market for our dairy and dairy products,” Mukumbya said.
He added that there had been some challenges they faced including the tariff and non-tariff barriers. These hurdles underscored the need for a dedicated platform where stakeholders could convene to engage in constructive dialogue aimed at devising effective solutions.
Mohammed Osman, the County Executive Committee Member for Tourism, Culture, and Trade in Mombasa, announced that the County is fully prepared for the upcoming festival.
In preparation, he said that they have established a dedicated Tourism Council, set to be inaugurated on April 4th. The council will assume responsibility for all aspects of the festival organization ensuring full coordination and execution of the event.
The County Executive Committee Member for Tourism, Culture, and Trade, Mombasa, Mohammed Osman said that Mombasa is well prepared for the Festival as they have come up with a Tourism Council which will be launched on April 4.
“We have made this event a signature product in Mombasa and we shall have it annually and ensure we harvest maximum profit from it,” Osman said.
By Fatma Said
